Norsk Data Ltd acquires XTML to broaden its range of managed services offerings

Press release
Fornebu
5 minute read
Telenor-owned Norsk Data, a leading UK provider of IT business solutions, including computer maintenance services, has today announced that it has acquired a majority stake in XTML for an undisclosed sum. XTML is a leading provider of business critical internet hosting and application service provision (ASP) for businesses in UK.
John Ridd, managing director of XTML, which has offices in Manchester and London, said: «This deal is a catalyst for growth and development in both current and new markets. XTML will benefit from an introduction to Norsk Data's blue chip client list, and Norsk Data will benefit from our focussed experience and expertise.»

«This further underpins our market credibility and allows us to take another step towards attaining our business and development goals. The door to international opportunity is also opened much wider.»

Commenting on the announcement, Norsk Datas managing director, Barry Hartop, stated: «We see great opportunities in the UK to develop web-based activities - the market and management experience which XTML brings to Norsk Data will allow us to significantly expand our range of Internet-based offerings. These include such services as web hosting and delivery of business applications via the internet.»

«In return, we will provide XTML with a framework and support to enable them to expand their business even further. Integration with XTML provides Norsk Data with a single source solution for all our customers as we continue to build on our IT solutions business through the introduction of value-added managed services», he added.


Norsk Data has purchased a 76 per cent stake in XTML, and will continue to focus on developing and exploiting complex hosting and application service provisioning opportunities.

About Telenor
Telenor is a worldwide provider of high quality telecommunications, data and media communication services, with a particularly strong focus on mobile, Internet and broadband services. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, the company is present in over 30 countries, has more than 22,000 employees at home and abroad, and had revenues of US$ 3.9 billion in 1999. Internationally, Telenor is steadily increasing its investments within mobile, Internet, TV-distribution and Satellite communications, constantly providing its worldwide customers with leading-edge solutions at competitive prices.

About Norsk Data
Employing more than 650 people, Norsk Data Ltd is owned by Telenor AS and is one of the UKs leading providers of IT and data communication services to businesses. Founded in 1985, Norsk Data is the UKs only truly independent multi-vendor maintenance company with its own comprehensive nationwide site-based and mobile engineering resource.

About XTML
XTML is the UK's leading specialist provider of business critical Internet solutions and is one of the few UK ISPs powered by Cisco networks based on Hewlett Packards leading-edge technology. The company's ‘Virtual Tier 1' status, via partnerships with Global One, Teleglobe, and MCI/WorldCom allows the company to offer a uniquely resilient, triply redundant, network. February this year saw XTML launch XTML ServerBank™, the most secure hosting facility in Europe, housed in a former Bank of England bullion vault.

Working with respected industry players PricewaterhouseCoopers, PeopleSoft, and Hewlett Packard, XTML has now launched itself into the Application Service Provision (ASP) market, allowing organisations to outsource non-critical back office systems without the need for heavy, profit-burdening capital outlay, while ensuring all critical internal systems are properly managed.