Dimension Data today acquired the remaining 49 per cent share in SQL Services, a New Zealand-based specialist provider of Microsoft SQL and Oracle database management and consulting services.

In December 2004, Dimension Data acquired an initial 51 percent stake in SQL Services through its acquisition of the SecureData Group (SDG).

Dimension Data Australia CEO, Steve Nola, said the major benefit of the acquisition is that the company can invest in SQL Services with a view to increasing its capacity to scale the business and develop new services, particularly to offer its range of database management and design services into other regions where the company operates.

"This investment now becomes a lot more straightforward, as the ownership of the business operations and the intellectual property is now wholly owned by Dimension Data," Nola said. "SQL Services has a strong core group of database professionals that will enhance Dimension Data's existing services offerings in Australia, as well as leverage this managed database services capability globally.

"SQL's current management team, staffing and reporting structures will remain unchanged." Nola said clients will benefit from the acquisition through a greater depth and integration of database management and professional services within the company's overall offerings.

He said there is also the potential to offer these services in other regions in the near future.

SQL Services already services clients in the Australian market, and its service offerings were incorporated into Dimension Data's Australian business following the acquisition of the SecureData Group in December 2004. SQL Services will continue to operate as it has done in New Zealand, based in offices in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch. The company will also retain its current branding, service offerings and business partnerships in New Zealand. "SQL Services business has been growing at impressive rates over the past few years, and we have successfully integrated its database management and consulting services into our Australian solutions suite over that period," Nola said. SQL Services' New Zealand clients include Scenic Circles Hotels, Southland District Council and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise.

In Australia, clients include JB Hi-Fi, Guild Insurance and Tourism Western Australia.

SDG began as a niche systems integrator focused primarily in the areas of storage, back-up, server and database management which made it a strategic fit for Dimension Data.

In 2004, more than 50 per cent of SDG's employees were transferred to Dimension Data.