07 Jul Berbee acquisition could expand VoIP in Wisconsin
MADISON – Berbee Information Networks Corporation’s recent acquisition of Network Engineering Associates looks like geographic expansion, but it also brings NEA’s strength in the key technology of voice over Internet protocol (VoIP) into Berbee’s portfolio.
Berbee announced it bought the Wausau-based IT firm last week for an undisclosed sum, and that it expected to keep all of NEA’s 22 employees.
“The combination will allow both organizations to cross-sell their respective products and services into the extensive client base of each company. In addition, the geographic fit is excellent, as Berbee has established offices in Madison, Appleton and Milwaukee and Minneapolis, Minn. The addition of NEA’s territory in central Wisconsin will add comprehensive coverage into this rapidly growing part of the state,” said James Berbee, chief executive officer of Berbee.
One of the things that attracted Berbee to the Wausau firm was its strength in VoIP telephony. Instead of using phone lines, VoIP sends phone calls over the same networks the Internet uses, which entices cost-conscious companies to stand up and listen. Internal VoIP networks can replace complicated switching systems and run along side existing intranets. Long-distance or even international calls can be routed over the Internet to use a local phone line in another area code, if the company has an office there.
So by acquiring NEA, Berbee has not only expanded into central Wisconsin.
“It expands our geographic reach, and brings a well-managed, rapidly growing, engineering-centric group to our company,” said Berbee President Paul Shain.
The companies will not immediately fuse, though NEA founder Brent Kiedrowski will join Berbee’s executive team. “They gain access to our products and services, leverage from our back office and deeper technical skills to draw from to support their growing customer base,” Shain said.
Berbee is a provider of information technology solutions. The company focuses on infrastructure design, development and deployment, in addition to enterprise data centers and application development.