Managed IT services firm GCI has acquired Herts-based Freedom Communications for an undisclosed sum, GCI's fifth acquisition in under 12 months. GCI CEO Adrian Thirkill stated: "Our acquisition of Freedom is another steady step in our journey to deliver progressive and cost efficient managed services to all our customers.
"Freedom's heritage and skills as a UC systems integrator and its focus on transitioning customers from old world to new is aligned with our own growth strategy and is a great fit for us.
"We are backing the big four of UC, cloud, compliance and security, underpinned by next generation infrastructure and networking technologies.
Freedom Communications adds another 40,000-plus Skype for Business seats to GCI's Microsoft UCaaS arm taking it to more than 180,000 Skype for Business seats overall.
Freedom Communications MD commented: "Not only is this great news for our people, but it is also great news for all our customers now gearing to full UC adoption. Exciting times ahead."
Clare Barclay, General Manager at Microsoft UK, stated: "Freedom Communications is of course already well known to us as a Microsoft partner and has a great track record. The collective strengths and learnings across the blended GCI, Outsourcery, Freedom Communications operation means that customers are in a great position to benefit from its expertise in Microsoft Office 365, Skype for Business and Azure.
"The age of digital transformation is upon us, and it is organisations like GCI that will help customers truly reap the benefits."
Another driver for the deal is Freedom Communications' expertise in the public sector where it is listed on nine of the 11 lots of RM1045 Network Services Framework - which the public sector uses to procure Unified Communications and network related services.