IBM has bought a UK based company specialising in offering Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions for public sector organisations.

Optevia will join IBM’s global business services and will provide services to meet the increasing demand for CRM solutions in the public sector.

IBM says that in the near future, the global demand for CRM services will increase more than $23b with cloud-based CRM services to be as much as 50% of given value.

By acquiring Optevia, IBM believes that it can speed up its leadership in CRM solutions.

Optevia’s client base also includes ministries, councils, regulators, licencing and grant management organisations, transport authorities and social housing organisations.

IBM public sector leader Europe, Joanna Davinson said: "By acquiring Optevia, IBM will be able to provide Public Sector clients and prospects with a range of unique, industry focused CRM based solutions."

"This strategic acquisition will help strengthen IBM as a SaaS provider and Global Software Integrator."

Optevia was established in 2001 and since then, it has been quickly placing itself as a trusted partner for public sector and social enterprise clients.

Optevia has been working on Microsoft Dynamics CRM, since 2004 and has acquired clientele including UK’s emergency services, central government, local government, health authorities, and social enterprises and offers their clients highly differentiated solutions.

IBM Global Business Services executive partner Hitesh Amin said, "Because of it’s long-time work with Microsoft Dynamics CRM, Optevia has a tremendous amount of assets and solutions around it."

"For IBM to organically try do that and get to that level, it would take a long time."

"By acquiring Optevia we can differentiate ourselves quickly in the market."

Amin continued: "It also gives IBM the on-site presence that public-sector organizations in the UK require."

IBM wants to expand Optevia’s platform from UK to the whole world.

Optevia, with its expertise in Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions, will not be limited to that particular service and it will expand further more.

IBM said that it will continue developing Optevia’s portfolio to include other vendor solutions to meet client demands.