GCI is continuing its series of strategic acquisitions to further expand its technical capabilities and enter into new global markets. Today GCI, who is one of the UK’s largest ICT service providers, announced the acquisition of Modality Systems. Modality Systems were previously acquired by PGi in 2015.
Modality specialises in Microsoft’s communication and collaboration platforms with global presence across markets in the UK, USA, Asia and Australia. The acquisition of Modality provides GCI with various strategic advantages including enhanced technical capability and access to established global markets. UC Today caught up with GCI’s Chief Technical Officer, Mike Constantine to bring you more on the news.
“This will be the first time we will have employees outside of the UK. We can capitalise on the success that Modality has had with its enterprise international customers and utilise its network and expertise to further expand our provision of services to global enterprises.”
Constantine explains that Modality’s global reputation and presence was a major factor behind the purchase. Modality’s customer base and global offices will enable GCI to expand its reach outside of the UK, aiming to replicate the success of its domestic model in new international markets. Targeting the global market is an ambitious strategy and GCI hope to capitalise on the growing success of Microsoft’s collaboration portfolio.
As one of the world’s largest dedicated Microsoft communications and collaboration practices, Modality provide GCI with huge expertise in both Microsoft Skype for Business and the rapidly growing Microsoft Teams application. Microsoft Teams has become Microsoft’s fastest growing business application of all time and leveraging its popularity appears to be a shrewd move for any service provider within the space. Last year GCI appointed ex-Microsoft Veteran, Patrick De Smedt as Non-Exec Chairman, and this latest move continues its investment and commitment to Microsoft’s portfolio within the industry.
“The popularity of Microsoft Teams is great news for us. Its also great news for Microsoft, that these two big partners of theirs are coming together to create a single business with a laser focus on getting Microsoft’s software sold and adopted within different vertical markets.”
Constantine told us that the management team at GCI have big plans for the combined entity and hope to dominate the growing managed service market surrounding Microsoft’s communication software platforms. By combining services from both sides it will be able to offer a product suite specialising in consultation, adoption and managed services to organisations globally.
“Our two different heritages come together very nicely when it comes to creating a rounded portfolio and pooling a level of experience that customers are going to buy into.”
“We need to make sure that when Microsoft is looking for partners to deliver a quality managed service around its communication and collaboration portfolio that Modality and GCI are the first partners they think of. “
The Microsoft portfolio appears to harmonise well with GCI’s existing offering, including its provision within unified communications. As well as its expertise in applications within the Microsoft Office 365 suite, including Skype and Teams, Modality provides a selection of video conferencing services including fully serviced video room management, video bridging and web consultation offerings, all of which are designed to integrate seamlessly into the Microsoft collaboration suite.
The GCI group will now incorporate the Modality business with no further announcement on internal plans or changes to the management team.
