Birmingham-based Network Si Group Ltd, the company born from a management buyout of ACT Group Plc’s computer support unit (CI No 2,424), has opened a division, Information Solutions, devoted to custom software development. It will provide project design, and support firms moving to client-server environments, or introducing electronic messaging systems. The new unit will help organisations to make more use of data held on the desktop or within minicomputer databases. The group’s entire business is network-centred; it presents itself as the single source responsible for customers’ networks and has relationships with Microsoft Corp, Novell Inc, Lotus Development Corp, Sunsoft Inc and Santa Cruz Operation Inc for supply and support of their software. And it says its keen to escalate its relationship with the major vendors to the highest possible level. The group of companies offers design and implementation of networks, integration, validation, testing and training, and says it is truly vendor- independent, regardless of its relationships. A rapidly growing area for Network Si is that of network facilities management, which contributes ú5m to annual revenues of ú42m and is growing at 50% a year. Within the Network Si group are four other companies: Network Si Ltd, which provides project management; Computer Support Ltd, which took up where the former ACT company left off and provides support for network hardware; Technology Sales Ltd, formed shortly before the buyout, which deals primarily in warranty repairs for box makers; and DDT Maintenance Eire Ltd, the Irish equivalent of the Computer Support wing.
