SHAMROCK Quay based Blue Rock Systems has bought out rival Sense Computers Systems in a £670,000 deal.

The Southampton software firm has snapped up Sense Computers Systems from Nottingham.

Blue Rock hope to drive turnover to £4m within the year.

The move comes at the same time as the software solutions provider and distributor looks to expand locally by recruiting three new senior staff and expanding its team of IT professionals.

The purchase of Sense is Blue Rock’s first move outside its southern heartland and will give the company greater access to experienced staff, a wide customer base and new software.

George Troullis, managing director of Blue Rock, said: “This is an excellent opportunity for Blue Rock to expand into the Midlands with an existing, happy client base with a first-class team of engineers and support staff.”

He added: “We are dove-tailing this expansion with our growth at our Southampton HQ, where we are still looking to expand our team.

“Buying a company is a big expansion for Blue Rock and we will now concentrate all our efforts to ensure a seamless transfer.”

Michael Blatherwick, managing director of the Sense Group, said: “We took the decision to focus on our Enterprise Solutions business but wanted to make sure we found the right owner for our computer systems division.

“All of our customers purchase from us because they trusted us to offer excellent ongoing support and we are confident that Blue Rock will deliver that.”