Print.IT Reseller - issue 87

BULLETIN Aura acquires Reflex Aura has acquired Reading-based Reflex, a full-service audio-visual integrator established in 1983. Reflex adds to Aura’s capabilities in the AV space and will enable the business to offer the widest range of office solutions to its client base. Aura’s proposition directly addresses the key questions around workplace configuration as enterprises return to the office post-pandemic. Commenting on the deal, Aura CEO Alpesh Unalkat, said: “I am so pleased to welcome the Reflex team to Aura. Their technical expertise and strong reputation in higher education, corporate and public sector markets will further strengthen Aura and enable us to continue growing our footprint. We see lots of potential growth for Aura, especially with Reflex’s capabilities and similar deep commitment to meeting and exceeding customer expectations.” www.aurafutures.com eacs awarded framework agreement Managed services provider eacs has been awarded supplier status for the Crown Commercial Service’s new Technology Services 3 Framework (TS3), which is designed to support UK government bodies in delivering large service transformation schemes. eacs is one of just over 100 suppliers to have achieved the stringent pass mark following a thorough vetting process, with 64% of listed suppliers SMEs. CEO Kevin Timms, said: “We are delighted to have secured a place on TS3 which follows our announcement last year on our successful bidding to gain a place on the NHS SBS Digital Workspace Solutions Framework. Have always been firm believers in what the framework stands for - providing the public sector with access to IT services with guarantees of the highest standards of delivery. “The new framework will enable public bodies to cut through some of the red tape that has previously restricted its access to the newest and most innovative IT services. The simplified process makes it easier for suppliers such as eacs to provide these services, which in turn gives the public sector organisations far greater choice.” www.eacs.com Workflo Solutions is Sharp certified technology partner Workflo Solutions has been named as a certified technology partner by Sharp Business Systems UK. By becoming a reseller and a recognised channel partner, the company will gain access to further accreditation through the OEM’s dealer partner programme. By drawing on Sharp’s decades of experience, and their own proven capabilities, Workflo will ensure it is best placed to meet and exceed any customer need for Sharp’s managed print services, visitor management, IT support and audio visual technology. Managing Director Michael Field, said: “We are thrilled to be joining forces with one of the largest and most iconic brands in print. Sharp is a renowned pioneer of business management technologies, and, given the recent growth of our own business, and our evolution into a more holistic provision of document management and IT solutions, this is a major opportunity. “I feel that Sharp’s approach is very much aligned with our own, not least in our joint ambition to provide tailored workplace solutions using the most advanced technologies available. This is about the passion of two strong market leaders looking at ways to advance and innovate together.” Northern Regional Manager at SBSUK, Gary Risley added: “When I met Michael and the Workflo team, I was impressed by his enthusiasm, and by his focus on adjacent technologies, not just print. That approach is so much like our own. Workflo Solutions is a visionary company that looks well beyond the scope of the traditional service offering and will be an immense and powerful channel partner for Sharp – we look forward to solving technology problems for our customers, together.” www.workflo-solutions.co.uk New chapter for CloudCoCo CloudCoCo, a UK provider of IT and communications solutions to businesses and public sector organisations, has announced the proposed acquisition of the entire issued share capital of Systems Assurance, an IT group comprising a B2B value-added reseller and an automated cloud-based VAR and IT managed service provider, and a proposed fundraising of £2.1 million before expenses through a conditional placing. Systems Assurance introduces a proven and scalable hardware engine into CloudCoCo’s existing business as well as expanding its IT managed service offering, which will help increase operational efficiency and drive margins. The proposed acquisition will increase CloudCoCo’s customer base and provide the opportunity for cross-selling and upselling of its services. The acquisition signals the start of the company’s ‘Get Bigger’ phase, both organically and through acquisition, to provide scale to the business. Chief Executive Mark Halpin, said: “This placing and acquisition is set to be a transformative step forwards for CloudCoCo. It sees us progress to the next stage in our development – ‘Get Bigger’ – which will see us focus on scaling the business while winning larger and longer contracts. This is the start of an exciting new chapter in the CloudCoCo story and I look forward to reporting on further progress in due course.” www.cloudcoco.co.uk 01732 759725 6 HEADL INE SPONSOR Alpesh Unalkat Michael Field Shortlists PAGE 24