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Columbus acquires UK firm, bolstering Microsoft Dynamics 365, Office 365, cloud offerings

by Linda Rosencrance
Contributing Writer, MSDW

Columbus has announced that it had acquired Cambridge Online Systems, a UK-based IT services company specializing in ERP, CRM and the cloud. With the acquisition of Cambridge Online Systems, Columbus seeks to increase its footprint in the growing Microsoft Dynamics 365 market as well as boost its cloud and Office 365 business within the UK.

"Cambridge Online Systems is a well-established company with a strong customer base, and extensive skills within ERP, CRM and cloud," said Columbus' CEO and president Thomas Honoré, in a statement. "The acquisition thereby accelerates Columbus' ambitions to increase our market share and growth potential in the UK."

Founded in 1978, Cambridge Online Systems employs 71 ERP and CRM specialists working out of the office in Cambridge. In the financial year 2015/2016, Cambridge Online Systems had a revenue of around $72 million, according to company officials.

The combined company will be among the providers of digital business solutions and services to companies within the manufacturing, retail distribution and food industries in the UK, positioned to provide for the future needs of customers in the UK, officials said.

Cambridge Online Systems is continuing as an independent company and its current management will remain in place. However, current managing director David Crabb has decided to leave the company. Mary Hunter, the managing director of Columbus UK, will take over the position of managing director at Cambridge Online Systems.

"Our UK subsidiary has shown significant growth during the recent years, today holding a leading position in a growing UK market," Honoré added. "With Cambridge Online Systems on board we accelerate that progress while being able to service our customers even better."

Commerce Customer Engagement Distribution Dynamics 365 Dynamics CRM Food & Beverage Manufacturing Retail
About Linda Rosencrance

Linda Rosencrance is a freelance writer/editor in the Boston area. Rosencrance has over 25 years experience as an reporter/investigative reporter, writing for many newspapers in the metropolitan Boston area. Rosencrance has been writing about information technology for the past 16 years.

She has covered a variety of IT subjects, including Microsoft Dynamics, mobile security issues such as data loss prevention, network management, secure mobile app development, privacy, cloud computing, BI, big data, analytics, HR, CRM, ERP, and enterprise IT.

Rosencrance is the author of six true crime books for Kensington Publishing Corp.

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