08 February 2022

Cloud solutions vendor FluidOne has acquired SAS Global Communications, a provider of hybrid SD-WAN-enabled global networks to enterprises.

The former said the acquisition will enhance its service offering to mid-market and enterprise customers, courtesy of SAS Global’s extensive network capability through partners, including BT Wholesale, TalkTalk Business, Colt, HP, Lumen, Cisco, Silver Peak and Microsoft.

SAS designs, deploys and manages SDWAN hybrid networks, which are supported by its monitoring and management portal. It currently serves over 150 customers with sites in 65 countries and focuses on companies with over 1,000 employees.

FluidOne, which runs the Platform One UK national fibre network, said the acquisition builds on the purchase of PSU Business Technology in October 2020, that included skills in IT managed services and unified communications, as with the investment in Cyber Security Associates in November 2020, a dedicated cyber security consultancy and managed services specialist.

Before the latest acquisition, the FluidOne group had £60m in revenues with 240 staff, serving 1,300 customers and resellers.

“I have known Colin Mattey, the chairman of SAS, for a number of years and knew of the quality of the business, particularly in multinational SD-WAN deployments and their unique network monitoring and management portal developed in-house,” said FluidOne chief executive officer Russell Horton.

Mattey added: “Russell saw real value in our ability to deliver managed networks with the best network monitoring and service levels in the market to enterprise and multinational customers. He saw how the business would add value to FluidOne customers whilst providing exciting growth opportunities for the SAS business.”