Certus Consulting and Datec Announce Merger

Certus Consulting and Datec Announce Merger, Creating Largest NZ Company Dedicated Exclusively to IBM Solutions and Services

AUCKLAND, 6 May 2003 – Certus Consulting, an IBM Premier Partner in software, and Datec New Zealand, the local subsidiary of Datec Group Ltd, the largest IBM partner in the South Pacific, today announced the merger of the two companies. The new enterprise will retain the Certus name.

Certus combines the complementary strengths of Certus Consulting’s software and services with Datec’s regional dominance in IBM hardware. Certus will focus exclusively on the provision of IBM services and solutions in both software and hardware. These include world-class software solutions such as DB2, WebSphere, Tivoli and Lotus, backed by the globally successful IBM Storage solutions, PC’s and servers, including X Series, P Series, and I Series.

Certus will be headquartered in Auckland with other offices in Wellington and Christchurch. The current Managing Director of Certus Consulting, Greg Woolley, will be the founding Managing Director of Certus, while Datec New Zealand CEO, Michael Ah Koy, becomes the new Executive Director.

According to Greg Woolley, customers will gain significant benefits from the alliance. “Many New Zealand companies are forced to deal with multiple partners when supporting their IBM technology infrastructure,” he said. “Dealing with a single vendor will reduce vendor management overheads, give customers greater budget control and, most importantly, provide clients with a single point of accountability in achieving business outcomes.”

A leading vendor of IBM software in New Zealand, Certus Consulting was one of only thirty worldwide Business Partners that received recognition at the 2003 IBM Partnerworld conference in New Orleans for exceeding sales targets.

Datec CEO, Mr Ah Koy, said that the new partnership makes perfect sense. “Certus Consulting has an impressive track record delivering outstanding IBM software solutions to its customers. We share their vision,” he said.

Nick Lambert, Managing Director, IBM New Zealand, welcomed the merger of the two leading IBM Business Partners. “The IBM Business Partner channel is a vital part of the IBM New Zealand ‘go to market’ model and I welcome this addition to our channel,” he said. “Certus will offer existing and new customers greater benefits and enhanced capabilities in the IBM focused solutions market.”

About Certus Consulting Established in 1998, Certus Consulting is an IT consulting and technology implementation company. Following the disestablishment of non-IBM technology services in 2002, Certus Consulting focused entirely on its strategic relationship with IBM and IBM technology. The company is one of only two IBM Premier Partners in New Zealand, and is certified in a number of IBM products including DB2, WebSphere, Tivoli and Lotus.

Certus Consulting has wide ranging experience in a variety of sectors including telecommunications, insurance, energy and utilities, finance, retail and government. Clients include AMP, New Zealand Milk, NZMP, Westpac, W Stevenson & Sons, SkyCity, Waste Management NZ, Tranz Rail and the Department of Internal Affairs.

About Datec Group Established in 1985, the Datec Group Ltd, is the IBM Business Partner in the South Pacific. The company provides systems integration, application development and maintenance, project management and risk management services, education and outsourcing, as well as professional services. Datec specialises in key technologies that provide strategic advantage to organisations in the commercial, banking, finance, government, telecommunications and service sectors. Datec employs 400 staff in Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, Samoa, Vanuatu and the Cook Islands. Clients include ANZ, BP, Mobil, Shell and Westpac.

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