SCS Acquires Fellow IBM Premier Partner

Strategic Computer Solutions (SCS), an IBM Premier and On Demand Business Partner based in Syracuse, N.Y., has acquired fellow IBM Premier Partner, Principle Software of Waltham, Mass. Principle Software, which specializes in e-business and portal solutions, will become part of SCS' related company, Strategic Computer Services.

Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed, however, Principle Software's IBM Business Partner Innovation Center will become part of SCS (No. 295 on the 2005 VARBusiness 500). The solution provider says the addition of Principle Software will provide expertise in IBM software brands, such as Lotus and WebSphere, and help expand SCS' geographic coverage in the Northeast, specifically the New England region. Jim Carrick, CEO of SCS, says his company's IBM software business has grown rapidly in recent years, and he expects the trend to continue with the acquisition of Principle Software.

SCS recently made two other strategic moves to expand its business. First, it created a new security and networking-solutions practice that will focus on major vendors, such as Cisco, F5 Networks, IBM, Microsoft, Qualys and RSA Security. The new practice will offer consulting services and solutions for enterprise security audits, IP telephony, federal compliance and other areas. In addition, SCS expanded its state and local government practice and announced the appointment of David Swits as its vice president. Swits was former COO of the New York State Office of Technology (OFT), an agency dedicated to expanding IT in government services, since 1992. In that capacity, Swits was responsible for OFT's operations, as well as management of the NYS Enterprise Help Desk.