ACS snaps up U.K. outsourcing business

Affiliated Computer Services Inc. will acquire Syan Holdings Ltd., a provider of information technology outsourcing services, for about $60 million in an all-cash deal.

The acquisition is intended to strengthen ACS' global IT outsourcing presence by providing a solid base for the company's operations in the United Kingdom. As part of the deal, ACS will get two in-country data centers.

"This acquisition strengthens ACS' end-to-end IT services. Syan's data center facilities in the United Kingdom, combined with their exceptional subject matter expertise, will enable ACS to provide clients with multiscope IT services on a global scale," said Derrell James, ACS's senior managing director of IT outsourcing, in a statement announcing the acquisition.

Although the immediate thrust will be providing IT solutions to global Fortune 1000 clients, ACS also plans to leverage Syan's capabilities to government clients when opportunities arise, company officials said.

Syan of Telford, Shropshire, is one of the United Kingdom's largest IBM Business Partners and has extensive expertise in management services and technology focused on IBM mid-range and Intel servers.

The business, which will change its name to ACS Syan, will continue to be run by Syan's existing management team.

ACS ranks No. 58 on Washington Technology's 2007 Top 100 list of the largest federal government prime contractors.