Big Blue palms off integration business

IBM-owned disaster recovery provider Classic Blue has announced the sale of its system integration operations to Frontline Systems Australia.

The divestiture will allow Classic Blue to focus on strengthening its position as a specialist provider of business resilience and continuity services in the local market.

Frontline is a privately held Australian IT company with a focus on infrastructure, professional services, and managed services.

A "small number" of Classic Blue system integration employees will join Frontline, according to IBM.

IBM's Classic Blue business unit executive, Brenton Hodder, said the acquisition of the Systems Integration business by Frontline will allow Classic Blue to concentrate on its core business - providing business continuity services and security solutions.

IBM Australia acquired Classic Blue in January. The company operates "business recovery" facilities in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney.

Frontline managing director Steve Murphy said the company's managed services offerings have strong synergies with those offered by Classic Blue.