STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Dec. 4, 2002 (PRIMEZONE) -- WM-data (Other OTC:WMDTF) and Danish DMdata are combining their resources within IT operations in the Nordic region and are establishing a jointly owned company in Sweden. The transaction creates one of the Nordic regions largest supplier-independent players in the IT operations field, with the strength to compete for large, long-term operating undertakings on the growing market for IT outsourcing in the Nordic region. The combination provides economies of scale and resources to develop cost-efficient and competitive high-quality services in the operations and communications area.
"Outsourcing has always been one of WM-data's most important success factors," said Crister Stjernfelt, CEO of WM-data. Through the cooperation with DMdata, we lift our operations business to a new level and gain a unique position in the Nordic market. Combined, we will be one of the Nordic region's largest supplier-independent operating organizations, which as a result of economies of scale, synergies and greater capacity means that we can offer our customers local competence and presence combined with price performance and world-class service.
"DMdata holds a strong position in the Danish market. The cooperation with WM-data opens possibilities for a Nordic expansion," said Flemming L. Jensen, president of DMdata. Combined, we can benefit from experiences and resources in IT operations and DMdata will reach a broader market through WM-data's established and close customer relations in the Nordic market.
The new company, which will be equally owned by WM-data and DMdata, will initially have annual sales of about SEK 400 M and comprise WM-data's existing computer centers with about 200 employees in Sweden. Concurrently, WM-data is acquiring a 10% interest in DMdata. DMdata has 650 employees and sales of DKK 1,130 M (2001). DMdata, owned by Danske Bank and Maersk Data, has computer centers in Denmark and provides efficient operating services to public authorities and private companies, of which several have operations worldwide.
The combined operations business within DMdata and WM-data will control very extensive capacity with regards to communications, monitoring, server-based operating environments and a total mainframe capacity of more than 30,000 MIPS (millions of instructions per second). The joint operation will begin on January 1, 2003 and is conditional upon approval from the EU competition authorities.
For further information please contact:
Crister Stjernfelt, CEO WM-data +46 8 670 20 55 e-mail erstj@wmdata.com Flemming L. Jensen, President DMdata +45 3637 4010 e-mail flj@dmdata.dk Anna Brogren, Press Officer WM-data +46 670 7172 e-mail anbon@wmdata.com
DMdata is one of the largest operating companies, measures in operating capacity and range of IT operating services. Dmdata's core business comprises operating of centralized and decentralized IT systems, establishment of operations and networks and security solutions. DM data has 650 employees and is equally owned by Danske Bank and Maersk Data A/S. www.dmdata.dk
WM-data is one of the Nordic area's leading IT companies. Group sales amount to about SEK 7,500 million, with approximately 7,000 employees. WM-data's business concept is to provide customer benefit through a complete range of IT-related services for selected customer segments. For more information, visit www.wmdata.se
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