IBM rebrands Logicalis subsidiary

IBM has rebranded and relaunched Logicalis, an Australia-based network services provider it bought last year, as Cerulean.

Terry Moloney, a spokesman for IBM Global Services, said the launch was part of IBM's push into the mid-market.

“Today’s launch of Cerulean reinforces IBM’s commitment to designing, building and managing next generation technologies, including IP solutions for mid-market businesses," he said in a statement.

IBM bought the Australasian arm of UK-based network services integrator Logicalis for $88.5 million in March 2004. The integrator’s Australian and New Zealand arm made $64 million in the six months to August 2003, the vendor said at the time.

Moloney said the Logicalis acquisition had "exceeded his expectations" and positioned IBM for future growth. Logicalis had expertise in infrastructure integration services for  IP communications, security and IP mobility.

“By acquiring a market leader, IBM has been able to draw upon Logicalis’ vast expertise in delivering technology solutions that address the business needs of mid-market organisations," he said.

Cerulean capabilities backed by IBM and alliances with Cisco, Avaya, Performance Solutions, Citrix, Microsoft and Tandberg should prove successful, Moloney said.

IBM added that ‘cerulean’ meant a particular clear, sky blue colour. The word was derived from the Latin word for ‘sky’ or ‘heavens’. "The Cerulean brand conveys simplicity, clarity, ease and focus," IBM said in a statement.

IBM claimed it had signed dozens of network services agreements with organisations such as Balfours, the Department of Veterans Affairs and Toyota Financial Services in the past year.
 
"IDC predicts that in Australia spending on network consulting and integration is experiencing high growth and in 2005 the market is forecast to achieve a size of $510 million," the vendor said.

IBM recently unveiled two technology solutions centres in Sydney and Melbourne to showcase IP offerings.