By Susan J. Campbell

TMCnet Contributing Editor

 

In an effort to become the U.K.’s leading provider of hosted Microsoft (News - Alert) Dynamics CRM solutions, Genesis Communications has acquired Increase CRM. The company made the announcement today, declining to disclose the sum of the transaction.

 

This purchase is considered a next step for Genesis as it continues on its strategy for domination in the U.K. market. Genesis hopes to earn top ranks as a provider of mobile and hosted IT solutions to small and medium-sized enterprises.

As part of its strategy, Genesis will combine its considerable investment in its hosting platform along with Increase CRM’s leadership and expertise in providing hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM solutions and value added professional services.

Increase CRM’s customers are expected to immediately benefit as their hosted Microsoft Dynamics CRM services will migrate to Genesis’ purpose built data centre. Customers will also enjoy a broader range of high quality and cost saving services that include hosted Microsoft SharePoint and Microsoft Exchange.

 

The integration of Office Communications Server will provide improved collaboration and communication for all customers. In addition, Genesis plans to soon launch a mobile CRM solution designed to allow customers to access their Microsoft Dynamics CRM data while on the go using their mobile device.

Piers Linney, director of Genesis, said in a Monday statement, “Genesis is absolutely focused on providing the leading suite of mobile and hosted IT solutions for small and medium-sized enterprises in the U.K.

 

The acquisition of Increase CRM allows us to become a UK market leader and dramatically extends our ability to support customers and deliver the value added professional services that our customers are demanding as they increasingly embrace the power of Microsoft Dynamics CRM. We look forward to working together to develop this exciting market and our offering,” Linney added.

 

Neil Benson, chief addict at Increase CRM also commented in the Monday statement, “The team of passionate CRM addicts at Increase CRM is extremely excited about joining Genesis. We can now offer our customers a wider range of mobile and hosted solutions, combined with the added security of the significant investment that Genesis has made in its infrastructure.”

In response to the growing demand for hosted IT services, Microsoft has launched a global Software+Services strategy. By 2011, analyst firm Gartner (News - Alert) predicts that 25 percent of all software will be delivered as a service.

Martin Walker, Software + Services - U.K. Lead, Microsoft UK added in Monday’s statement, “Both Genesis and Increase CRM are Microsoft Gold Partners focused on leading the development of the Software+Services market. We are excited by the announcement of the acquisition.

 

Microsoft is strategically committed to the Software+Services model across its business products suite and is working closely with its partners to take solutions to market. The acquisition further enhances the capabilities of Genesis, which is a business with the infrastructure, scale and the necessary expertise to offer a compelling Microsoft Dynamics CRM proposition,” said Walker.

The demand for hosted services is undeniably growing as companies have a need for improved operations and communications, but don’t always have the budget. On demand, hosted solutions give these companies the opportunity to implement next-generation technologies without significant upfront costs.

 

Genesis has recognized the growing opportunity in this field and the contribution that Increase CRM will make in its quest for dominance in the U.K. market. In its efforts to strategically align itself with quality performers, the company is likely to achieve its leadership goal.