SCS Beefs Up IBM Know-How With Principle Software Buy
The Syracuse, N.Y.-based solution provider already concentrates on all five IBM Software product lines, but with Principle it will get additional WebSphere and Lotus expertise, said Jim Carrick, CEO of SCS.
Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, but Carrick said the deal will drive SCS& head count over the 100-person mark and add more resources to the company's currrent geographical coverage in the Northeast from Ohio to New England.
Principle, based in Waltham, Mass., started out as a Lotus Notes partner and morphed into a portal specialist with expertise in Notes/Domino and WebSphere collaboration products.
Carrick, an 18-year IBM veteran himself, said SCS is one of just a half-dozen or so IBM Five-Star VAPs--solution providers certified and active on all five of IBM's software lines, which include Tivoli, DB2, WebSphere, Rational and Lotus.
SCS also is an IBM OnDemand partner and resells services from IBM Global Services. That designation was the most difficult to attain, Carrick said.
"OnDemand requires a combination of business process and technology skills. If you understand what OnDemand is, it's of great value. It's the ability to understand a business issue, the processes beneath it and apply technology,” he said. “It's also about meeting changing demands for peak-load environments. If there&s a golf tournament one week of the year, it's about meeting the need for that heavy traffic, all those hits at that time of year."
In addition, SCS is building up its state and local government practice and is bringing aboard David Swits, former COO of the New York State Office of Technology to head that effort, Carrick said. This week, the company also is launching a security and networking practice.