London & Johannesburg - IMImobile, a leading global provider of mobile engagement technology and solutions, has announced the acquisition of Archer Digital (Archer). Archer is a company specialising in mobile engagement solutions for banking and government across South Africa. The acquisition will support IMImobile’s international growth plans and expand its product and customer portfolio.
The purchase of Archer, based in Johannesburg, further enhances IMImobile’s footprint across Africa, also adding customers spanning banking, retail and government sectors among others. Archer’s products, which include patented solutions for mobile bank statements, reminders and transactional payments, will be integrated and offered as part of IMImobile’s portfolio of enterprise mobile engagement products.
Jay Patel, Chief Executive of IMImobile, commented: "We see tremendous opportunities in Africa for enterprises to use mobile as an engagement channel driven by the explosion of mobile devices and better networks as well as the limitations of the physical infrastructure. Archer has been successfully working with leading blue chip clients over many years and we believe that combined with IMImobile’s software and solutions we will be able to leverage the existing client relationships and deep experience of the Archer team to seize this great opportunity.”
Over the next seven years mobile operators are planning to spend $100bn in expanding their coverage and capacity across sub-Saharan Africa and smartphone penetration is expected to grow to 525 million in 2020 according to the GSMA; an increase of over 600% from 72 million in 2013. IMImobile will utilise Archer’s existing infrastructure and presence in the South Africa market to expand the penetration of its portfolio of enterprise products across the region, while enabling Archer’s technology and products to be offered to new international markets outside of South Africa as part of IMImobile’s global operation.
Ross Venter, CEO of Archer, said: “We are delighted to be joining IMImobile and the integration of both companies will take place over the next six months. Our customers will continue to receive the highest level of service and will now also have access to the combined benefits of our product portfolios to harness the power of mobile as a key part of their business strategy.”
Archer, which will continue to operate under its existing name, is now a subsidiary of IMImobile. Under the terms of the agreement IMImobile will pay $5.6m in cash. Archer Digital was founded in 2005 and provides a feature-rich suite of m-engagement products to clients across banking, satellite services, mobile operators, retailers and municipalities. The company has enjoyed year on year growth since its inception and employs 50 people in Johannesburg.
About IMImobile PLC
IMImobile is a leading provider of software and services for mobile engagement. Its services, delivered in over 60 countries in Europe, the Americas, MEA and India, help its clients to communicate and transact with their customers more effectively on mobile devices. The Company’s solutions allow customers to use mobile as a channel to create new revenue streams, as a CRM and customer engagement channel, and as a channel to improve business operations.
IMImobile’s suite of products is modular, scalable and delivered through cloud infrastructure which is integrated into mobile operator networks, internet services and social media platforms. The products and solutions have helped IMImobile establish a bluechip client base of leading mobile operators and global enterprises. Key customers include Vodafone, O2, Telefonica, Aircel, Airtel, BSNL, AT&T, MTN, France Telecom, Centrica, Coca-Cola, Universal Music, Tata, the AA, the BBC and major financial institutions.
The Company is headquartered in London with regional head offices in Hyderabad, Atlanta and Dubai and has approximately 680 employees worldwide.
About Archer Digital
Archer Digital is a leading provider of mobile engagement solutions in South Africa. The company was built on the core belief that mobile technologies and communications can drive business results otherwise unattainable. Since 2005, Archer has delivered corporate messaging and technology solutions to some of the largest and most demanding companies in Africa. Archer's solutions drive new revenue streams, decrease costs, and increase customer engagement in the financial services, retail, utilities and government sectors. The company is headquartered in Johannesburg and employs 50 people.
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