Karabina is acquired by Altron, to establish new Microsoft-focused division

Issued by Altron Karabina
Johannesburg, 13 Jun 2018

JSE-listed Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron) today announced its acquisition of the iSPartners Group, which owns Karabina, in a deal worth R225 million. The acquisition is subject to Competition Commission approval.

Commenting on the acquisition, Altron Group Chief Executive Mteto Nyati said: "This acquisition will enable us to create a Microsoft-focused business within Altron with a special focus on cloud computing and data analytics. The acquisition will add scale and a new suite of solutions and capabilities enabling customers to digitally transform their businesses through Microsoft technologies."

The deal with iSPartners includes the acquisition of Karabina Solutions, a Microsoft solutions business, and Zetta Business Solutions, which provides data advisory services.

iSPartners Chief Executive Grant van der Wal commented: "I am excited that iSPartners will become part of Altron as this will make us more relevant to all customers.

"This is a key announcement for the South African IT industry which needs a partner that brings business scale in data analytics and cloud computing; with this deal we aim to be that partner.

"Karabina Solutions prides itself on being relevant to its customers and their business requirements, which aligns to Altron's core purpose of providing innovation that matters."

Commenting on Altron's acquisition of iSPartners, Zoaib Hoosen, Microsoft South Africa MD, said: "iSPartners is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner with a track record of over 17 years in Africa. We already have an existing partnership with Altron through its subsidiary, Bytes Systems Intergration. Bringing iSPartners into the Altron fold strengthens our partnership and will accelerate our customers' digital transformation journey in South Africa and the continent."

Commenting further, Nyati said: "The Fourth Industrial Revolution is here. The digital world is advancing at high speeds and this has an enormous impact on how businesses of the future will operate.

"To maintain a competitive advantage in a cloud-first and mobile-first world, businesses need to embrace digital transformation using innovative ways of connecting people, managing data, and streamlining processes to create value for customers. Our solutions will enable our customers to successfully embark on that journey."

With 200 employees and the recipient of over 70 local and international industry awards, Karabina is uniquely positioned as a "Microsoft partner of the future".

It provides its customers, comprising of over 300 companies from South Africa and Africa, with competencies to define a digital transformation strategy and Microsoft technology roadmap to help them achieve their goals and strategies in the context of an increasingly digital global environment.

Information Systems Partners

Information Systems Partners (iSPartners) is the holding company for Karabina Solutions, Zetta Business Solutions and It's About People. Founded in 2001, the iSPartners group of companies has grown to over 200 employees, with offices in Johannesburg, Pretoria and Cape Town, servicing corporate customers mostly across southern Africa.

Since 2001, the business has been recognised for over 70 local and international technology solutions awards, with Karabina in particular being recognised by Microsoft for 12 Microsoft Partner of the Year Business Intelligence awards, eight Microsoft Partner of the Year CRM Awards, and the coveted Microsoft Country Partner of the Year. Karabina is considered a leading Microsoft partner of the future, providing a full suite of digital transformation consulting and software solutions on Microsoft Cloud services to enable customers to modernise their environments to improve data insight, customer engagement, digital workplace, operational and financial performance.

Zetta Business Solutions is a specialist information management and data advisory business that helps corporate businesses take advantage of their data assets by designing and implementing the appropriate platforms and strategies to achieve business success.

Since inception, iSPartners team's vision and values have been a key contributor to iSPartners' exceptional growth.

Allied Electronics Corporation

South African listed Allied Electronics Corporation (Altron), through its principal subsidiaries, Allied Technologies (Altech) and Bytes Technology Group (Bytes), is invested in telecommunications and information technology. The Altron group employs more than 8 000 employees globally.

Founded in 1965, Altron has a direct presence in eight countries, including South Africa, the UK and Australia, on four continents through its various businesses. In addition, the group's strategic partnerships with leading international technology companies give it access to leading technology capabilities and products from across the world, including Asia, Europe and North America.

The majority of the group's revenue and headcount are derived from the local market in South Africa where the group is headquartered.

The group's primary focus is in providing innovative solutions in the fintech, healthtech, safety and security, and learning and development verticals that have a meaningful impact on society by addressing challenges facing communities in South Africa, the continent and beyond, while delivering shared value for all its stakeholders.

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