Original Solutions bought by Perot
13-05-2008
by Bryan Collins

Perot Systems Corporation has completed its acquisition of Irish IT services firm Original Solutions.

The Texas-based IT services firm acquired Original Solutions for an undisclosed sum in a deal which completed on 9 May. Original Solutions is based in Limerick and Dublin and employs approximately 90 people. The company specialises in web applications and client server development, among other areas. Original's reported revenue in 2007 was EUR9 million.

Original Solutions is nearly five years old and its clients include Bank of Ireland, Allied Irish Bank, Eircom and O2. John Collins, its founder, will remain as chief executive and will facilitate further expansion. All of Original Solutions staff are to remain on in their current roles and Collins insisted that it is business as usual at the company, "but with a much bigger army".

"There are certainly no retrenchments. There is no change of anybody's role or terms. If anything we are going to reassess the investments that we need to make. Our Limerick centre is already providing services into the UK. We want to see that capability grow and we want to see our ability to deliver from Limerick expand into European markets," Collins told ENN on Tuesday.

Perot Systems reported revenue in 2007 was USD2.6 billion. The 20-year-old company has more than 23,000 associates based in North America, Europe, the Middle East, North Africa and Asia. It was Perot's global penetration and scale of reach that prompted the acquisition, according to Collins.

"Enterprises are looking at global options. They are looking for people who can provide those options and flexibility in one place. I [adopted] the strategy of finding that proactively… as opposed to just going out and waiting to be told we weren't on the shopping list anymore," Collins explained.

"We are pleased to welcome Original Solutions to the Perot Systems global team," said Peter Altabef, president and CEO of Perot Systems Corporation, in a statement. "With its technology expertise and commitment to operational excellence, Original Solutions will enhance our expanding worldwide IT services capabilities."

"Original Solutions strengthens our portfolio of services and capabilities in the Irish and EMEA markets," added Stephen Walsh, client executive for Perot Systems in Ireland.