Buy-out of Synergy Technology division strengthens reseller’s market presence in the north

VAR Contemporary has acquired the Business Objects practice of reseller Synergy Technology for an undisclosed sum.

Contemporary, a Platinum Partner for business intelligence (BI) vendor Business Objects, said the deal will give it an increased presence in the north of the UK. BI is an application used for gathering, storing, analysing and providing access to data to help end-users make business decisions.

Robert Humphrey, general manager of Contemporary, said: “We wanted to expand into the north and enhance our presence across the UK. We now have offices in Ascot, London and the East Midlands. With the Synergy acquisition we can use its office in Manchester for training purposes.”

Humphrey added that Contemporary now has the opportunity to sell to Synergy’s Business Objects customer base, and is the reseller’s first ever acquisition.

John Wilkinson, indirect and mid-market sales director for northern Europe at Business Objects, said: “We give the acquisition our full endorsement. Contemporary brings strength in terms of technical expertise to its customers. It is an authorised education programmer and runs public courses on our behalf.”

Wilkinson added that the public courses offer technical support to customers and enhance usability of the software.

“Customers who are better trained are more satisfied,” he said. “It is easier for them to realise the opportunity with Business Objects products.”

Wilkinson added that Synergy had developed its Business Objects sales to such an extent that it had become an attractive acquisition target.

“The BI market continues to go from strength to strength, and customers are now buying complete BI suites,” he said. “A competitive market is driving demand.”