Folsom's VIP turns big deal
Staff and sales take big leap with purchase of MyITgroup.

By Dale Kasler - Bee Staff Writer
Published 12:00 am PDT Thursday, July 12, 2007
Story appeared in BUSINESS section, Page D1

A quiet but fast-growing Folsom tech consultant has made a major acquisition, elevating it to the upper tiers of Sacramento's technology industry.

Visionary Integration Professionals said Wednesday it has bought Houston-based MyITgroup for an undisclosed price.

MyITgroup's operations include a branch in tech hot spot Bangalore, India. The Houston company consults on issues related to business software made by German firm SAP.

The purchase doubles VIP's employment to 800 workers and increases annual sales to more than $150 million from its current $90 million, said Chief Executive Jonna Ward.

She said the takeover will probably add a few jobs to the Folsom headquarters.

"We're integrating their back-office operations into ours," she said.

VIP employs about 80 workers in the Sacramento area. They include headquarters workers and those working at clients' sites, particularly at state government offices around the region.

The deal represents the fifth takeover by VIP in two years. Its most recent acquisition was a Virginia-based firm last October.

The acquisition came the same day that another Sacramento tech firm, Digital Music Group Inc., became the latest in the region to be taken over, a contrast noted by Barbara Hayes, director of the Sacramento Area Commerce and Trade Organization.

She said it's exciting to see a Sacramento company buying something rather than being sold.

"This acquisition, which takes them to $150 million and 800 employees worldwide, is huge for a company that started here 11 years ago and that nobody's paid much attention to," Hayes said.

"They have been under the radar" but now are among the major tech companies in Sacramento, Hayes said.

Although Ward doesn't expect to move any functions to Bangalore, she said the India site is part of the attractiveness of MyITgroup.

More and more clients are interested in "blended solutions" that include tech consultants in the United States and overseas, she said.

"We're hearing loud and clear from many clients about blended solutions," she said.

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About VIP

Established in 1996, Visionary Integration Professionals (VIP) is a global technology and outsourcing firm that has provided solutions to over 900 clients in multiple industries as well as federal, state and local government. VIP helps companies challenge boundaries and uncover new possibilities to increase productivity, maximize revenue, improve performance, mitigate risk, and reduce costs. With more than 935 employees companywide, VIP offers expertise in areas of Business Intelligence and Data Warehousing, SAP Integration and Consulting, Technology Integration and Operations, Human Capital Management, Quality Management, and Management Consulting. VIP’s corporate headquarters is located in Folsom, California with offices in Sacramento; Minneapolis; Dallas; Denver; New York City; Alexandria; Houston; and Bangalore, India. More information can be found at www.vipconsulting.com

About MyITgroup
Established in 2000, MyITgroup is a global consulting firm solely focused on delivering SAP solutions. MyITgroup maximizes its clients’ return on investment by establishing dedicated practices focused on all aspects of SAP, including business intelligence, portal implementations, upgrades and a variety of other sub-specialties.  With a focus on strategy, people, process, solutions, and support, MyITGroup delivers value through three primary delivery methods: solutions, outsourcing, and workforce.  For seven years, MyITgroup has partnered with more than 500 SAP clients to deliver quality solutions that span a variety of industries.  MyITgroup maintains its headquarters in Houston, Texas with clients supported nationwide and with a foreign subsidiary headquartered in Bangalore, India. For more information, visit www.myitgroup.com.

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Media contacts:
Patty Nelson, pnelson@vipconsulting.com, (916) 985-9625
Zane Edwards, zedwards@myitgroup.com, (713) 980-7603