Consequently, design, build and maintenance of networks and particularly the integration of applications, cloud services and mobile devices will continue to be a major challenge for most network managers, requiring specialist skills and knowledge that sits outside many in-house team specialities.
For Alexander, network and security infrastructure has never been more important for businesses than it is today.
“It is clear the strong demand for security reviews, penetration testing and skilled network management is a competency that is needed across the market,” Alexander adds.
“All our client’s directors and C-suite members recognise the need to protect their business IP and secure their environments in the face of growing local and international security threats.
“We want to ensure we can play a valuable role in mitigating the risk faced by our clients and future clients.”
Alexander says Origin has its own networking and security competency which he believes will complement the Optinet business.
“We have already been operating jointly in many Origin clients,” he adds.
“We have a successful Service desk that will provide Optinet with an opportunity to enhance the service they deliver to their clients today and better utilise the Optinet skilled engineers to focus on strategy, architecture and design solutions for their clients.”
Transition
The acquisition brings to an end the tenure of founder Steve Harrington, who is stepping out of the business to focus on outside interests.
Optinet General Manager Craig Burston however, who has been leading the business since 2011, will continue in his role, Alexander adds.
“The Optinet brand will remain firmly in the market as it is today,” Alexander explains. “The brand is well recognised and has a high value and quality associated with it.
“Craig has successfully grown the business of the past few years and the great people at Optinet will continue to be a part of Craig’s Optinet team.
“We are confident Craig has the skills and support of not only his team but the Origin family to continue the rapid growth that he has set in place with Optinet. Craig has developed a solid business plan that we are fully supportive of.”
Optinet partners with a host of industry leaders, typically housing more than one vendor in each of its product segments - such as Blue Coat, Aerohive Networks, Fortinet, Aruba Networks, F5 Networks, Brocade and Huawei to name a few.
At present, the company also works closely with telcos such as Vodafone, 2degrees and TelstraClear, tertiary education facilities such as Otago University and AUT University and large organisations such as Westpac and IBM.
“There is no change to the Optinet business other than further investment to enable the business to grow into our client market and to broaden the Optinet ability to serve more clients within their Enterprise market as well,” Alexander adds.
“We believe the positive benefits that Origin bring to Optinet will give the existing Optinet clients even more confidence to engage Optinet and Origin to ensure they are well position to advance their own businesses safely and securely.”
Future growth
As claimed in December last year, the kiwi tech firm expects revenue to grow by over 200 percent in the coming five years as their clients expand offshore and demand for local IT support services grows.
Established in a West Auckland garage fourteen years ago, the outsourced IT solutions provider currently records annual revenue of $14 million. But according to CEO Michael Russell, that’s projected to reach $50 million by 2018, a figure that Alexander believes could now be surpassed.
“Optinet has grown their business significantly over the last few years and this combined with the year-on-year Origin growth will greatly assist in our focus to not only grow the combined businesses but do that whilst delivering great value and quality to our current and future clients,” Alexander adds.
“There are many clients in the market today looking for great service combined with world-class skills and we intend to ensure we can meet those demands.
“We currently are tracking ahead of our goals and this addition to the Origin family will definitely assist us towards beating the current goals.”
In fact, adds Alexander, “it may be time to reassess those goals.”