2021's biggest IT channel mergers and acquisitions

Consolidation in the IT channel continued going from strength to strength this year, with some of the biggest names getting involved.

Major players like the Big Four consulting firms, global system integrators and publicly listed firms acquired multiple companies throughout the year.

These are the acquisitions and mergers that made the biggest impact in 2021.

Cognizant to acquire Sydney-based Servian

11 January

Global systems integrator Cognizant acquired Sydney-based enterprise consulting services provider Servian for an undisclosed sum.

Servian specialises in data analytics, artificial intelligence, digital services, experience design and cloud. Some of its vendor partners include Google, Microsoft, AWS, Salesforce, Snowflake, Oracle, HashiCorp, Talend, Informatica and Red Hat.

Cognizant said the acquisition expands its integrated, end-to-end digital transformation capabilities in Australia and New Zealand.

Read the full story here.

Vocus to be acquired for $3.5 billion by MIRA-Aware Super consortium

9 March

Telecommunications company Vocus agreed to be acquired by a consortium of Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (MIRA) and Aware Super for $3.5 billion.

The decision came one month after MIRA first approached Vocus with an indicative and non-binding proposal for $5.50 per share. Aware Super joined the consortium a few weeks later.

Vocus’ board unanimously recommended that shareholders vote in favour of the acquisition unless a superior offer is made. The scheme meeting is set for sometime in June this year and the transaction is expected to close by July.

Read the full story here.

Bluechip Infotech to merge with DNA Connect to create new 'powerhouse' distributor

9 March

Bluechip Infotech announced it merged with fellow distributor DNA Connect to form what it called a new “powerhouse” distributor in Australia.

The merger combined Bluechip’s SMB focus with DNA’s background with enterprise businesses, while also expanding each other’s product offerings.

“The merger positions both companies to be stronger and accelerate the growth by providing more solutions to a wider combination of channel partners and segments,” Bluechip Infotech managing director Johnson Hsiung said.

Read the full story here.

Tesserent acquires Secure Logic's managed services business for $10 million, stock

16 March

IT security specialist Secure Logic sold its managed services business to ASX-listed security services firm Tesserent for $10.75 million and 42 million shares.

The deal bolstered Tesserent’s Government division and provide access to a 24x7 security operations centre in Sydney.

Secure Logic has existing relationships with the New South Wales Government and a number of Federal Government departments and agencies. It also has some international and domestic corporate and financial institutions as customers.

Read the full story here.

Tesserent acquires Sydney-based Loop Secure

19 August

ASX-listed cybersecurity services company Tesserent acquired Loop Secure for $13.4 million in cash and stock.

Headquartered in Sydney with offices in Melbourne and Brisbane, Loop Secure specialises in managed security, governance, risk and compliance (GRC) and offensive security services. It also has a security operations centre (SOC) in its Melbourne office.

Tesserent said the acquisition would bolster the capabilities of its Cyber 360 security platform, including red teaming, MFA projects, end point protection (especially for WFH environments); and threat hunting.

Read the full story here.

Synnex, Tech Data merge to create US$57B distribution titan

23 March

Two of the world’s largest IT distributors joined forces to create a USUS$57 billion giant with more than 150,000 customers and 22,000 employees.

The proposed USUS$7.2 billion merger of publicly traded Synnex and private equity owned Tech Data will be led by Tech Data CEO Rich Hume, with Synnex President and CEO Dennis Polk serving as executive chair of the company’s board. The combined company will be 55 percent owned by Synnex shareholders and 45 percent owned by Apollo Global management, which bought Tech Data for USUS$5.4 billion in June 2020.

Read the full story here.

Spirit Technology acquires Sydney-based telco gear company Nexgen

31 March

Spirit Technology acquired telecommunications equipment company Nexgen for $50 million, which the company called its largest acquisition to date.

Based in Sydney, Nexgen provides phone systems, printers, security cameras and cybersecurity services to small and medium enterprises. The company is also an NBN retail service provider and also resells other fibre providers.

Read the full story here.

Spirit Technology sells residential internet business to Melbourne-based DGTek for $5 million

18 October

Spirit Technology Solutions sold its non-core consumer business to Melbourne-based broadband and telecommunications company DGTek for $5.1 million.

The deal covers Spirit’s residential internet customer base and relevant infrastructure assets. The business’ offerings include services from NBN Co and other fibre network providers, covering internet connectivity for apartment buildings, greenfield and existing properties, student housing and the community housing sector.

Read the full story here.

Rhipe acquires EMT distribution for $11m

1 April

Rhipe acquired 100 percent of security distie EMT Distribution for $11 million upfront for the Australia and Asia based operations, with a further payment of up to $2 million based on financial performance after 24 months.

Completion of the acquisition of EMT’s Middle East based operations is expected at the start of next financial year with terms to be disclosed post-audit.

Rhipe chief executive Dominic O’Hanlon said, “EMT Distribution has an incredible track record in delivering software security products and solutions via their distribution channels. By combining EMT’s expertise in security solutions with Rhipe’s reach, we will be able to offer Rhipe partners across APAC effective solutions to protect against growing threats around cybersecurity. 

Read the full story here.

Wipro acquires Melbourne-based Ampion

1 April

Global systems integrator Wipro acquired Melbourne-based managed services provider Ampion for an undisclosed sum.

Based in Melbourne, Ampion specialises in cyber security, DevOps and quality engineering services. The company was formed last year following the merger of MSPs Revolution IT and Shelde.

Wipro said adding Ampion’s offerings in engineering transformation, DevOps and security consulting services would bring scale and market agility to respond to the growing demands of customers.

Read the full story here.

Fujitsu Australia acquires Melbourne data analytics consultancy Versor

6 April

Fujitsu Australia acquired Melbourne-based data analytics specialist management consultancy Versor for an undisclosed sum.

Versor provides data engineering, advanced analytics and data sciences services powered by artificial intelligence and machine learning to underpin its digital transformation consulting services.

The company has clients across the public sector, mining, retail, health, utilities, financial services, and entertainment industries.

Read the full story here.

Deloitte acquires Canberra-based Salesforce partner Soda Strategic

27 April

Deloitte acquired Canberra-based Salesforce partner Soda Strategic, later integrated with Deloitte Digital the next month. 

Founded in 2016 by chief executive Angelo Paonne, Soda Strategic’s client base spans government, health, and not-for-profit sectors.

The team of 30 will join Deloitte Digital and Paonne will become a Deloitte Digital partner.

Read the full story here.

Accenture acquires Aussie Schneider Electric partner Electro 80

4 May

Accenture acquired Australian operational technology (OT) and IT services provider Electro 80 for an undisclosed sum.

Headquartered in Perth, Electro 80 works mainly with resources clients in Australia, including mining, energy, engineering, construction and utilities companies, helping them modernise operations and become more efficient in areas of manufacturing and production.

Accenture said the acquisition came as it expects Australia’s resources industries will ramp up transformation efforts following the operational disruption caused by COVID-19.

Read the full story here.

Accenture snaps up Industrie&Co

27 May

Accenture acquired cloud consultancy Industrie&Co for an undisclosed sum.

The purchase marked the third in the last few months for the Ireland-based services giant following the purchases of Electro80 earlier this month, Swedish cloud vendor Cygni in March and cloud analytics and cloud-native artificial intelligence company Core Compete in April.

The company has offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong and Singapore, and Accenture said the acquisition expands its “cloud first capabilities in delivering cloud native services for clients, particularly within financial services.”

Read the full story here.

Sage sells Australia, Asia business to Access Group

2 June

Payroll solutions provider Sage Group’s Australia and Asia business was acquired by UK-headquartered The Access Group.

The acquisition included the company’s Australian HandiSoft accounting and MicrOpay and WageEasy compliant payroll solutions as well as EasyPay in Singapore and UBS Accounting in Malaysia.

Arlene Wherrett took over the role of Sage Asia Pacific vice president and managing director from Kerry Agiasotis, who transitioned into the role of Access Group’s president of Asia Pacific. Wherrett previously held the title of VP and MD for the Asia region.

Read the full story here.

Vonex acquires MNF Group's SMB, residential business for $31 million

7 June

Telecommunications services company Vonex acquired a part of MNF Group’s direct business for $31 million.

MNF offloaded its small business and residential business, which includes cloud phone, mobile and internet services under the MyNetFone brand. The deal does not include the MyNetFone name.

The sale came as MNF looks to simplify its business and focus on its Symbio wholesale business. MNF acquired VoIP wholesaler Symbio Group in 2012.

Read the full story here.

Superloop to buy out Exetel for $110 million

8 June

Superloop acquired Exetel, Australia’s largest independent ISP, for a total of $110 million, comprising $100 million cash and $10 million in Superloop shares.

In Superloop's ASX announcement, the company said it was raising the cash needed for the acquisition partially through debt, and partially through the sale of equity.

The acquisition was completed in late July, with all Exetel employees transferred to Superloop while both brand names were kept in use.

Read the full story here.

Telstra acquires Mediacloud Australia

16 June

Telstra acquired Perth-based web hosting and cloud services provider Mediacloud Australia for an undisclosed sum.

The deal provided Telstra’s global broadcasting arm Telstra Broadcast Services (TBS) with software-defined and cloud-based capabilities, as well as a number of media cloud delivery experts and a Master Control Room in the United Kingdom.

As part of the acquisition, Australian free-to-air TV channel SBS also renewed its playout contract for MediaCloud services for seven years and will be a TBS customer throughout its duration.

Read the full story here.

Telstra sells part of towers business for $2.8 billion

30 June

Telstra sold 49 percent of its telecommunications towers business, InfraCo Towers, to a consortium  for $2.8 billion.

The stake was sold to a consortium comprising Australia's sovereign wealth fund Future Fund and super funds Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation and Sunsuper.

Telstra chief executive Andrew Penn said the deal was a significant milestone for its T22 program and “an acceleration of Telstra’s strategy to unlock value” in the assets.

Read the full story here.

Telstra pays $110 million for retail stores from former landlord Vita Group

24 September

Telstra acquired a big chunk of its retail stores from its former landlord Vita Group for $110 million, officially ending their 26-year partnership.

The agreement came eight months after the telco first announced plans to buy back some 270 retail stores across Australia, 104 of which were operated by Vita.

The sale covered Vita’s entire retail information and communication technology (ICT) business, which also includes some Telstra Business Technology Centres (not initially part of the sale) and technology accessories retailer Sprout on top of the Telstra stores.

Read the full story here.

Telstra uses Government money to buy PNG telco Digicel Pacific

25 October

Telstra used Federal Government money to fund a portion of its purchase of south pacific telco Digicel Pacific after fears the business would be acquired by a Chinese company.

In a move reminiscent of the government intervention in the construction of the NBN, the Coalition Government had such concerns over potential Chinese ownership of telecommunications infrastructure that it was willing to chip in more than three-quarters of the total purchase price to keep the company out of Chinese hands.

The telco confirmed to shareholders that it had agreed to buy the Digicel Pacific for $2.3 billion, while only putting up $390 million itself. The remaining $1.88 billion will be funded by the Federal Government yet Telstra will own 100 percent of the company.

Read the full story here.

Swoop acquires regional Victoria-based network operator Speedweb

21 June

ASX-listed Swoop Telecommunications acquired Morwell, Victoria-based broadband network operator Speedweb for $1.75 million.

Speedweb, also known as Kallistrate Pty Ltd, operated its own wireless broadband network through some 50 towers and has 1,800 active services.

The company’s network covered the towns of Morwell, Moe, Traralgon, Trafalgar, Churchill, Newborough and Walhalla in Victoria’s Gippsland region. The network also borders the existing Swoop network in the region.

Read the full story here.

Swoop acquires Perth telco Community Communications

28 June

Wholesale network infrastructure provider Swoop acquired Perth-based Community Communications (ComComs) for an undisclosed sum.

ComComs operates a fixed wireless network for both residential and business customers in the Perth metropolitan area with 14 towers across the area. The company also provides NBN and voice services.

ComComs’ network joined Swoop’s fixed wireless network in Perth, which was acquired from Perth telco NodeOne earlier this year. Swoop’s tower count also increases up to 88 within Western Australia.

Read the full story here.

Swoop continues spending spree, acquiring regional SA-based Beam Internet

12 June

Wholesale network infrastructure provider Swoop acquired SA wireless broadband provider Wan Solutions Pty Ltd, trading as Beam Internet, for a purchase price of $6.7 million, with a total enterprise value of $7.2 million.

The purchase of Beam was made with $6 million in cash and $700,000 in shares. 

The company was on a spending spree since it debuted on the ASX in May. This latest acquisition comes less than a month after the purchase of two other telcos, Perth-based Community Communications and regional Victoria-based Speedweb.

Read the full story here.

Swoop acquires Newcastle, NSW-based Countrytell

6 October

ASX-listed telco Swoop Holdings acquired Newcastle, NSW-based telco Countrytell Holdings for $4.2 million.

The acquisition expanded Swoop’s coverage in regional New South Wales and adds new services related to data centre operations.

Founded in 2001, Countrytell offers fibre and fixed wireless internet and data centre services to customers in and around Newcastle, the Hunter region, the NSW mid-coast and the Snowy Monaro region. Its data centres are based in Newcastle and the company also has a dark fibre network running in the city.

Read the full story here.

Swoop acquires comms service providers VoiceHub, Harbourtel for $6 million

26 October

ASX-listed fixed wireless and wholesale network infrastructure provider Swoop acquired Sydney-based wholesale voice services provider Voicehub Group for $6 million.

Voicehub Group, through its brands VoiceHub and Harbourtel, specialises in traditional voice services, unified communications, virtual numbers, SMS messaging solutions and advanced intelligent networking services for clients across Australia and New Zealand.

Harbourtel is the traditional telco side of the business, providing direct inward dialling (DID), toll-free (1800), local rate (13 or 1300), premium rate and digital phone numbers to Australians, delivered through Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). It also offers DID, premium rate and toll-free (0800) numbers for its New Zealand customers. Additional offerings include internet connectivity, meet-me conferencing, media streaming and call forwarding.

VoiceHub has a more diverse offering, including inbound services, call termination, virtual phone numbers, hosted voice, SMS, SIP Trunk and connectivity and Microsoft Teams voice calling.

Read the full story here.

Telstra partner Entag Group acquires Vita Group's IT enterprise business

30 June

Sunshine Coast-based Telstra partner Entag Group acquired Vita Group’s IT business Vita Enterprise Solutions and Brisbane Telstra Business Technology Centre for an undisclosed sum.

Entag Group said the acquisition would make it one of Telstra’s largest business and enterprise partners, and is also part of Entag’s plan to become Australia’s largest regional ICT business by 2023.

The acquisition also strengthened Entag’s IoT, Microsoft and Cisco Meraki business.

Read the full story here.

MYOB acquires channel partners Axsys and Exobiz in midmarket push

2 July

Accounting software vendor MYOB acquired two of its Australian channel partners, Axsys and Exobiz, for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisitions aimed to bolster MYOB’s recent move into direct sales for its mid-market customers.

Headquartered in Hobart and with offices in Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide, Axsys is a three-time MYOB partner of the year, specialising in both the midmarket and enterprise.

Read the full story here.

MOQ acquires Perth-based Dienst Consulting

2 July

IT services company MOQ Limited acquired Perth-based Dienst Consulting for $3.78 million.

The acquisition expanded MOQ’s presence in Western Australia, increasing its staff to include 30 team members in the state.

As part of the deal, Dienst’s vendors and management team will remain in the business, including founder and managing director Alan Hodson.

Read the full story here.

Capgemini acquires SAP partner Acclimation

5 July

Capgemini acquired Melbourne-headquartered SAP partner Acclimation for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition was the system integrator’s second within ANZ in 2021 and bolsters its SAP capabilities in the region.

Acclimation brought more than 100 staff to Capgemini, spread across its offices in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane and Perth. Some of its customers include Coles Group, PowerLink, MMG Limited, NSW Land Registry Services and Dulux Group.

Read the full story here.

Rhipe agrees to Crayon takeover bid

6 July

Distributor Rhipe agreed to be fully acquired by multinational IT consultancy Crayon for $2.50 per share, a total of $400 million.

In an ASX announcement, Rhipe said it entered into a binding scheme implementation deed with Oslo, Norway-headquartered Crayon. This comes days after Crayon submitted an indicative, non-binding offer last week.

Crayon is a software asset management and cloud optimisation services provider with revenues of approximately 19.5 billion Norwegian Krone ($3 billion). The company arrived in Australia in 2019 and acquired Oracle specialist Navicle and Winc’s software licensing operations in 2020.

Read the full story here.

MSPs Comscentre, CustomTec, Correct Solutions and Mach Technology relaunch as "Orro"

6 July

Australian managed service providers Comscentre, CustomTec, Correct Solutions and Mach Technology Group merged as a new company called Orro.

Leading Orro is new chief executive Rodd Cunico, who was managing director of Dimension Data Australia from 2011 to 2016.

Headquartered in Sydney, Orro also has offices in Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and the Philippines.

Read the full story here.

Orro acquires Melbourne MSSP eSecure

16 September

IT services company Orro acquired Melbourne-based managed security services provider eSecure for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition bolsters Orro’s cybersecurity services offerings, including information security and risk management services for financial services customers and enterprises.

Orro also brings in 35 new IT security experts through the deal, as well as a security operations centre (SOC) based in Sydney and a customer follow-the-sun support service office in the United Kingdom.

Read the full story here.

NEXTGEN Group acquires Sydney-based NovaTech Ventures

14 July

Distributor Nextgen Group acquired Sydney-based sales and channel management consultant NovaTech Ventures for an undisclosed sum.

NovaTech offers sales and marketing consulting services for IT channel companies, offering services like lead generation, marketing strategy formulation, sales-as-a-service and company structure services.

The company complements Nextgen’s other core service businesses, including its digital marketing subsidiary Bang, cloud economics and software advisory Optima, cloud management business Connect and payment solutions at Orbus Capital.

Read the full story here.

Nexon acquires Aussie ServiceNow partner CSA

14 July

Managed IT services firm Nexon Asia Pacific acquired national ServiceNow partner Computer Systems Australia (CSA).

The acquisition built on those the company made last year, including GCOMM, Remagine Solutions, XCentral and the security solutions division of Melbourne-based Kiandra IT.

“The acquisition of CSA will accelerate our strategic growth objectives. Not only are we scaling up, but we are also extending our digital transformation capabilities for existing and new clients,” Nexon chief executive Barry Assaf said. 

Read the full story here.

Nexon acquires Brisbane MSSP Equate Technologies

25 August

Sydney-based MSP Nexon Asia Pacific acquired Brisbane cybersecurity provider Equate Technologies.

Equate Technologies had been in operation for eight years, providing integrated security solutions to large and mid-market organisations.

“Cyber threats are more sophisticated, coordinated, and targeted today. Our clients require the expertise and capabilities to secure their environments with access to next-generation capabilities,” Nexon Asia Pacific chief executive Barry Assaf said.

Read the full story here.

Nexon Asia Pacific acquires Sydney comms solutions provider Veridian Solutions

13 September

Australian MSP Nexon Asia Pacific (Nexon) acquired Sydney-based communications solutions specialist provider Veridian Solutions. 

Nexon said in a statement that Veridian’s expertise with “complex, integrated environments” will build on its contact centre and unified communications offering.

The company also referred to Veridian’s tools for managing contact centre platforms for system configuration, advanced reporting, and integration supporting call recording, virtual hold, and workforce management.

Read the full story here.

Forum Group goes on the block following Westpac lawsuit against company director

14 July

Sydney MSP Forum Group was put up for sale after the company’s bank Westpac filed a lawsuit against founder Bill Papas.

The company was sold on 22 July 2021 to Eric Constantinidis, the sole director and shareholder of Sydney-based cloud, voice, data, IT services, security and video provider Our Kloud. Constantinidis was described as a relative of Papas.

On 2 July, Reuters reported that the bank had launched a lawsuit against Papas to recover the  $285 million it alleges was stolen by Papas who is reported to be living in Greece, according to The Australian Financial Review.

French investment bank Société Générale is also suing Papas and one of his other companies for $9 million for alleged fraudulent loans. 

Read the full story here.

Webcentral to absorb 5G Networks to simplify operations

16 July

Webcentral acquired 100 percent of the shares of 5G Networks in order to merge the companies, according to an ASX announcement today.

Under the new arrangement, 5G Networks shareholders received two Webcentral ordinary shares for each 5GN share held and 5G Networks will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Webcentral.

The merger was subject to approval from both shareholders and the court, though the announcement said that it expects that the shareholders will approve.

Read the full story here.

Webcentral looks to take over Perth MSP Cirrus Networks

2 August

Perth-based managed services provider Cirrus Networks was fighting a proposed takeover bid from web hosting and telco services company Webcentral, urging shareholders to reject the plan.

ASX-listed Webcentral announced on it planned to purchase all of Cirrus’ ASX shares for 3.2 cents each for a total consideration of around $26 million.

Webcentral told Cirrus shareholders in its bidder’s statement that the deal would help them “realise immediate value” as the company had “generally been thinly traded” over the last three months.

Read the full story here.

Cirrus Networks shareholders reject Webcentral's board changes

15 October

Cirrus Networks revealed that its shareholders have rejected Webcentral’s proposal to overhaul its board and place Webcentral executives as replacements.

In its extraordinary general meeting on Friday, Cirrus Networks shareholders voted against Webcentral’s proposals to remove directors Andrew Milner and Daniel Rohr and the appointments of Webcentral CEO Joe Demase and Michael Wilton. The proposal to remove former Cirrus CEO Matt Sullivan was withdrawn.

The proposal to remove Milner was rejected by 57.3 percent of the shareholder vote, while 55.57 percent rejected the proposal to remove Rohr. Meanwhile the appointment of Demase was rejected by 56.59 percent of the votes, while Wilton was rejected by 56.57 percent.

Read the full story here.

Capgemini to acquire Empired for $233 million

19 July

Global systems integrator Capgemini announced it plans to acquire Perth-headquartered Empired for $233 million.

The deal was Capgemini’s third in the past 12 months, after SAP partner Acclimation in June and RXP Services in November 2020.

Capgemini said the acquisition would strengthen its capabilities in cloud and data across the region, and create what it claims to be the largest accredited Microsoft Dynamics team in ANZ. Empired would also bolster its client portfolio across key industries, notably in mining, utilities and government.

Read the full story here.

EY Australia acquires Melbourne MSP SecureWorx

30 July

Ernst & Young (EY) Australia announced it acquired managed services provider SecureWorx for an undisclosed amount.

Based in Melbourne, SecureWorx specialises in multi-cloud services, managed security operations and security advisory services for customers dealing with sensitive information. It also has 24/7 security operations managed services with government cleared staff and facilities.

EY said the acquisition would strengthen its cybersecurity services offering in response to new mandatory requirements in the Security Legislation Amendment (Critical Infrastructure) Bill 2020, including sovereign cybersecurity capabilities.

Read the full story here.

Brennan IT acquires Newcastle MSP Forsythes Technology

2 August

Sydney-based MSP Brennan IT acquired Newcastle IT and communication services provider Forsythes Technology.

Brennan said in a release that the acquisition will improve its presence in the Newcastle and Hunter region, where Forsythes currently provides services to over 150 businesses. 

The deal followed Brennan’s wins of some major contracts this year, including HammondCare and Aurizon.

Read the full story here.

Dicker Data acquires NZ-headquartered Exeed Group for $68 million

2 August

Dicker Data acquired Auckland, New Zealand-headquartered Exeed Group for $68 million to bolster its presence across the Tasman.

The distributor said the deal would make its New Zealand business the second largest IT distributor in the country, with an estimated revenue of at least NZ$500 million combined.

Exeed Group has a presence in Australia after expanding in 2016, and also brings in more vendor partners to Dicker Data through the acquisition.

Read the full story here.

KPMG acquires Melbourne Oracle partner Certus APAC

23 August

KPMG Australia acquired Melbourne-based Oracle partner Certus APAC for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition aimed to bolster the big four firm’s Oracle specialist skills for its digital transformation and cloud services capabilities.

Based in Melbourne (and not to be confused with NZ-headquartered Certus Solutions), Certus APAC specialises in Oracle ERP, Human Capital Management (HCM), Recruitment and Talent Management Cloud services for the financial services, utilities, retail and the public sector industries.

Read the full story here.

ASI Solutions acquires Mildura, Victoria-based Int Tec Solutions

13 September

ASI Solutions acquired Mildura, Victoria-based managed services provider Int Tec Solutions for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition expanded ASI into regional Victoria, NSW and South Australia, while also adding complementary solutions and skills.

Founded in 2000, Int Tec specialises in enterprise-level IT solutions like technology, IT support and security services to local regional businesses in the Sunraysia region, which includes parts of Victoria, southern NSW and eastern SA.

Read the full story here.

Brisbane ISV Notiv acquired by Aussie voice recording software vendor Dubber

20 September

Brisbane-based software company Notiv was acquired by ASX-listed voice recording software company Dubber for $6.6 million.

Notiv developed a cloud-native AI-based automated transcription platform, using digital signal processing, speech-to-text, natural language processing (NLP) and other technology to automatically transcribe audio recordings.

Dubber said the acquisition added functionality to its platform and new staff skilled in artificial intelligence and data science, while also expanding Notiv’s reach to a global market. The company added the technology would also bolster its Foundation Partner program, calling the new capability "a compelling proposition" for managed service provider partners.

Read the full story here.

Cipherpoint sells software business, European operations to ArchTIS

20 September

Sydney cybersecurity provider Cipherpoint sold its software division to Canberra-based security software vendor ArchTIS for $1.4 million.

As part of the deal, ArchTIS also acquired Cipherpoint’s European operations, including its office in Germany, existing contracts, sales and development staff and the intellectual property to its software products, cp.Protect and cp.Discover. cp.Protect is a SharePoint on-premises data encryption solution, while cp.Discover is a data discovery and classification platform.

Cipherpoint said the move would see its focus shifted to managed security services following its acquisition of Sydney-based Brace168 in January this year. The company will also resell cp.Protect and cp.Discover as part of its services offering.

Read the full story here.

Optus follows Telstra's lead with $1.9b tower sale to AustralianSuper

1 October

Optus announced it sold a majority stake of its telecommunications tower business to AustralianSuper for $1.9 billion.

The deal involves a 70 percent stake in wholly-owned subsidiary Australia Tower Network (ATN), which operates Optus’ passive telecommunications tower infrastructure and owns 2,312 mobile network towers and rooftop sites. Optus said the transaction values the company at $2.3 billion.

Optus also signed a long-term lease agreement with ATN, and will also be anchor tenant for 565 new build-to-suit (BTS) sites to be built over the next three years as part of the telco’s 5G footprint.

Read the full story here.

PwC Australia acquires Sydney MSSP WebSecure Technologies

12 October

PwC Australia announced it acquired Sydney-based IT security and risk management provider WebSecure Technologies for an undisclosed sum.

The big four firm said acquisition bolsters its cybersecurity capabilities, specifically with Privileged Access Management (PAM) solutions, while offering scale and broader services to its overall managed service offering.

As a boutique CyberArk implementation partner, WebSecure also bolsters PwC’s security practice with experienced CyberArk specialists, which the latter said was in a chronic shortage.

Read the full story here.

Solista, CXO Security, Privasec, Naviro merge as security provider Sekuro

18 October

Australian cybersecurity consultancies Solista, CXO Security, Privasec and Naviro have joined forces to form a new company, Sekuro.

Sekuro will be an end-to-end security provider for enterprises and governments across Asia Pacific, with offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. Its combined revenue is $68 million and has 90 staff across Australia.

All four chief executives will assume new titles within Sekuro, led by CXO Security’s Robert McAdam as CEO.

Read the full story here.

Deloitte snaps up Perth cloud specialists Magia Solutions

21 October

Deloitte acquired Oracle Cloud consultancy Magia Solutions for an undisclosed sum to bolster its professional services offerings.

The Perth-based consultancy was founded by Steve Solomon and Peter Crew and traded under the name SDS Group since 2006, in 2014 the company rebranded to Magia Solutions.

The company boasts 75 staff in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne and has been an Oracle partner since 2017. It offers consulting, implementation, training and support services across ERP, HCM and CX modules.

Read the full story here.

FSG acquires TasmaNet for $13 million

1 November

ASX-listed telco Field Solutions Holdings (FSG) acquired Hobart-headquartered TasmaNet for $13 million.

FSG said TasmaNet’s capabilities would augment and accelerate the rollout of its Regional Australia Network across the country, including software-automated private cloud and managed services.

The company called the network Australia’s fourth telco network, with a focus on rural, regional and remote areas across the country. It is constructing 16 new networks over the next two years.

Read the full story here.

Security ISV FirstWave acquires MSP software vendor Opmantek

29 November

ASX-listed cybersecurity software vendor FirstWave announced it acquired managed services provider (MSP) software vendor Opmantek.

Headquartered in the US and incorporated in Australia, Opmantek specialises in network management, automation and IT audit software to MSPs and medium-to-large businesses.

FirstWave acquired Optmantek in a 100 percent scrip deal, issuing some 691 million new FirstWave shares to Opmantek shareholders. FirstWave will also look to raise $14 million in equity through an entitlement offer and institutional placement worth $7 million each.

Read the full story here.

Melbourne's SXiQ acquired by IBM in cloud push

1 December

Global tech giant IBM acquired Melbourne-based cloud integrator SXiQ for an undisclosed sum.

The company joined IBM Consulting’s Hybrid Cloud Services business and bolster its Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure consulting capabilities.

Formerly known as Southern Cross Computer Systems (SCCS), SXiQ specialises in architecture, design, integration and implementation across collaboration, data centre, cyber security, cloud and end-user technologies. SXiQ later spun out part of its business to form a new company now bearing the Southern Cross Computer Systems name.

Read the full story here.

Aussie Broadband to acquire Over The Wire for $390 million

2 December

Aussie Broadband announced it is set to acquire fellow ASX-listed telco and 2021 CRN Fast50 inductee Over The Wire for $390.4 million.

The deal was first revealed in late October 2021, with Aussie Broadband confirming that it was in talks to buy OTW at the time, with the latter also confirming it a few days later.

In an ASX announcement, Aussie will acquire 100 percent of OTW for $5.75 per share, retaining the amount in the former’s original offer in October. In comparison, OTW currently trades at $5.40 per share with a market capitalisation of $322 million.

Read the full story here.