Announcing the sale of BE Systems to Blue Wave Technology
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It feels like I've been waiting a long time to blog this, we've been so busy! But here we go (cue fanfare....):
We are announcing in Barcelona today, that BE Systems (my company) is now owned by Blue Wave (Paul Mooneys' company). The full press release can be found here, and our website will be updated in the next few hours.
Phew! It's all out in the open! It's been an exciting time at casa Elsmore recently and REALLY busy! But, it's all now public, so here's the full low-down on the who, what and why to all you blog readers.
I started BE Systems with my fellow directors about 3 years ago now. Our previous employer had decided to go another way, but we really felt that the Domino market was strong and was worth staying loyal to. So we did, and formed BE Systems. Since the start, we've grown continuously. Helping out our existing customers, finding new customers - even being found by some old customers! It's been a really hectic, but fun, time. However, one thing did become apparent recently. We just weren't big enough. At times we had more work than we had people for - and our customers wanted solutions delivered faster and wanted more things that we weren't really yet setup to do. Of course, we found a way and everyone was happy. But, it wasn't going to be a long term solution. We needed to become part of something bigger and better.
Of course, if just so happened that around the same time, Blue Wave were looking to do the same thing. Paul and his fellow directors have grown their company fantastically through their history. Of course, we knew this as we were already working with them on a number of projects. But they were still growing too. Joining the companies would let us bring together all the skills that we had between us. Not just technical skills, but BE's brand, marketing and UK approach. The plan was to add up 2 + 2, and make 5. So, we talked, talked some more and I'm now pleased to say that BE Systems is 100% owned by Blue Wave.
So, Champagne all round and here we are. I have a new boss, a todo list as long as my arm, but I know that this was the right decision for both BE and our customers. I guess that there might be alot of questions, so I'm going to try to answer some of them here. If I miss something out though, just let me know. I'm not going anywhere!
FAQ
Q. So, why did you do this?
A. Read the above! Really, it's the truth. We want to create something big and I really think we are. Of course, there is also a certain personal attraction in the fact that I don't have to sit in Board meetings anymore or trawl through accounts each quarter!
Q. Honestly though, are you really happy about this? Didn't you just get bought out?
A. Yes - I am honestly very happy and excited about this. I know it's the right thing to do and I'm really excited about the future of the company. And for the record, no we didn't sell out - in fact BE initiated the whole thing.
Q. Who are Blue Wave?
A. They're very much like us. A Lotus-heavy (though not exclusively) business partner. They are based in Dublin, Ireland but already work in the UK. If you read any blogs at all, you'll know Paul Mooney already - and he's a good representative of the company. They really do have the same ethos and excitement about this business as we do - which has made the whole deal such an easy decision
Q. So, what does the new company look like?
A. Well, alot larger for a start. The combined company now employs around 40 people. We've over 50 accreditations and supply consultancy, support, development, project management, licensing, managed services.... The list goes on, but in effect - if you knew BE, it's everything we used to do, plus everything you will have wanted us to be able to do.
Q. So you're still BE then?
A. Yes. In the UK we're still BE, as we think we've got a pretty good brand. Of course, this is all still very new, so the marketeers are working on their ideas right now. But we'll certainly be hoping to build on our existing reputation.
Q. What does this mean to me as a customer?
A. Well, firstly my apologies if I've not been to see you already. The reason I've been flying around the country in the last couple of weeks is to meet as many of our customers as possible, but it's just not possible to meet everyone. But, what does it mean to you right now? We hope very little. BE Systems still continues, we've just got a new owner. It does mean though, that we're able to offer you more things than we used to. We'll still be working closely with our partners - but we do have some new skills to draw on that we didn't before. So hopefully you'll hear about those soon.
Q. What does this mean to you, as a blogger?
A. Nothing. I've been writing senseless rubbish for years, and that won't stop
Q. What does this mean to UKLUG and ILUG?
A. Again, nothing. My involvement in both of these has been through my own time, and that will continue just as before. I'm still really excited about both of these, and we have some good plans in the works
Q. So, will we still see you at Lotusphere, Collab U, the View....?
A. Lotusphere, definitely yes. I'm presenting for a start! The other conferences and events, well I'll try my best. Of course, I'm no longer in charge - I've got a new boss. So, we'll see how it goes.
Q. A new boss eh?
A. Yep, Mr Mooney himself is now my new boss! I suppose that means I should stop calling him names? Nah........
So, there you are. It's all in the public domain! I realise that this has turned out to be quite a long blog post - but I hope it's been worth it. As I write this, Kitty and I are currently flying down to Barcelona for the View conference and our announcement tomorrow morning. This last fortnight has been probably the busiest of my career so far - but undoubtedly worth it. Big grins all round
<Update>
I'm going to try to link to all the blog coverage we're getting today. Let me know if I miss someone!
Paul Mooney (of course)
Mother Vowe
Duffbert
Ben Poole
Matt White
Rob Wills
Chris Linfoot
Frank Doherty
Steve Castledine
Bruce Elgort
Mary Beth Raven
Devin Olsen
Wild Bill Buchan
Declan Lynch
John Head
Stuart McIntyre
Ed Brill
Rob Novak
</Update>
Bookmark :
It feels like I've been waiting a long time to blog this, we've been so busy! But here we go (cue fanfare....):
We are announcing in Barcelona today, that BE Systems (my company) is now owned by Blue Wave (Paul Mooneys' company). The full press release can be found here, and our website will be updated in the next few hours.
Phew! It's all out in the open! It's been an exciting time at casa Elsmore recently and REALLY busy! But, it's all now public, so here's the full low-down on the who, what and why to all you blog readers.
I started BE Systems with my fellow directors about 3 years ago now. Our previous employer had decided to go another way, but we really felt that the Domino market was strong and was worth staying loyal to. So we did, and formed BE Systems. Since the start, we've grown continuously. Helping out our existing customers, finding new customers - even being found by some old customers! It's been a really hectic, but fun, time. However, one thing did become apparent recently. We just weren't big enough. At times we had more work than we had people for - and our customers wanted solutions delivered faster and wanted more things that we weren't really yet setup to do. Of course, we found a way and everyone was happy. But, it wasn't going to be a long term solution. We needed to become part of something bigger and better.
Of course, if just so happened that around the same time, Blue Wave were looking to do the same thing. Paul and his fellow directors have grown their company fantastically through their history. Of course, we knew this as we were already working with them on a number of projects. But they were still growing too. Joining the companies would let us bring together all the skills that we had between us. Not just technical skills, but BE's brand, marketing and UK approach. The plan was to add up 2 + 2, and make 5. So, we talked, talked some more and I'm now pleased to say that BE Systems is 100% owned by Blue Wave.
So, Champagne all round and here we are. I have a new boss, a todo list as long as my arm, but I know that this was the right decision for both BE and our customers. I guess that there might be alot of questions, so I'm going to try to answer some of them here. If I miss something out though, just let me know. I'm not going anywhere!
FAQ
Q. So, why did you do this?
A. Read the above! Really, it's the truth. We want to create something big and I really think we are. Of course, there is also a certain personal attraction in the fact that I don't have to sit in Board meetings anymore or trawl through accounts each quarter!
Q. Honestly though, are you really happy about this? Didn't you just get bought out?
A. Yes - I am honestly very happy and excited about this. I know it's the right thing to do and I'm really excited about the future of the company. And for the record, no we didn't sell out - in fact BE initiated the whole thing.
Q. Who are Blue Wave?
A. They're very much like us. A Lotus-heavy (though not exclusively) business partner. They are based in Dublin, Ireland but already work in the UK. If you read any blogs at all, you'll know Paul Mooney already - and he's a good representative of the company. They really do have the same ethos and excitement about this business as we do - which has made the whole deal such an easy decision
Q. So, what does the new company look like?
A. Well, alot larger for a start. The combined company now employs around 40 people. We've over 50 accreditations and supply consultancy, support, development, project management, licensing, managed services.... The list goes on, but in effect - if you knew BE, it's everything we used to do, plus everything you will have wanted us to be able to do.
Q. So you're still BE then?
A. Yes. In the UK we're still BE, as we think we've got a pretty good brand. Of course, this is all still very new, so the marketeers are working on their ideas right now. But we'll certainly be hoping to build on our existing reputation.
Q. What does this mean to me as a customer?
A. Well, firstly my apologies if I've not been to see you already. The reason I've been flying around the country in the last couple of weeks is to meet as many of our customers as possible, but it's just not possible to meet everyone. But, what does it mean to you right now? We hope very little. BE Systems still continues, we've just got a new owner. It does mean though, that we're able to offer you more things than we used to. We'll still be working closely with our partners - but we do have some new skills to draw on that we didn't before. So hopefully you'll hear about those soon.
Q. What does this mean to you, as a blogger?
A. Nothing. I've been writing senseless rubbish for years, and that won't stop
Q. What does this mean to UKLUG and ILUG?
A. Again, nothing. My involvement in both of these has been through my own time, and that will continue just as before. I'm still really excited about both of these, and we have some good plans in the works
Q. So, will we still see you at Lotusphere, Collab U, the View....?
A. Lotusphere, definitely yes. I'm presenting for a start! The other conferences and events, well I'll try my best. Of course, I'm no longer in charge - I've got a new boss. So, we'll see how it goes.
Q. A new boss eh?
A. Yep, Mr Mooney himself is now my new boss! I suppose that means I should stop calling him names? Nah........
So, there you are. It's all in the public domain! I realise that this has turned out to be quite a long blog post - but I hope it's been worth it. As I write this, Kitty and I are currently flying down to Barcelona for the View conference and our announcement tomorrow morning. This last fortnight has been probably the busiest of my career so far - but undoubtedly worth it. Big grins all round
<Update>
I'm going to try to link to all the blog coverage we're getting today. Let me know if I miss someone!
Paul Mooney (of course)
Mother Vowe
Duffbert
Ben Poole
Matt White
Rob Wills
Chris Linfoot
Frank Doherty
Steve Castledine
Bruce Elgort
Mary Beth Raven
Devin Olsen
Wild Bill Buchan
Declan Lynch
John Head
Stuart McIntyre
Ed Brill
Rob Novak
</Update>
-
Comments
Posted by Vitor Pereira At 23:38:26 On 02/12/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by Ed Brill At 23:54:18 On 02/12/2007 | - Website - |
What a dream team has been formed...
Posted by Stuart McIntyre At 08:10:30 On 03/12/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by Elf At 08:47:46 On 03/12/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by Frank At 09:25:49 On 03/12/2007 | - Website - |
This calls for a BIG party at LS
Posted by Vince Schuurman At 15:21:37 On 03/12/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by Ray "The Lion King" Bilyk At 13:31:07 On 04/12/2007 | - Website - |
What a great boon for your communities!
Posted by Phil Randolph At 14:32:22 On 04/12/2007 | - Website - |
Posted by tadd At 13:28:28 On 07/06/2010 | - Website - |