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RSS feedsSecurity giant Symantec is expanding its professional services division by making two acquisitions in one week.
The firm acquired Oxford-based consultancy LIRIC and US reseller @stake, which boasts a research and consulting arm, for undisclosed amounts. Both deals are expected to be completed next month.
However, despite some concerns that the move to services would cause competition among Symantec's extensive channel, the vendor has claimed it is just fulfilling customers' needs.
"Customers have asked us to offer services to complement our security technologies," said Aled Miles, Symantec's managing director for northern Europe.
"LIRIC has an unparalleled reputation in designing security solutions to address the needs of complex networks. Its people and knowledge will expand our consulting capabilities.
"By joining forces with @stake we are expanding the capacity and capabilities of our consulting organisation, which will allow us to better secure the applications that customers develop and deploy."
Andy Buss, senior analyst at Canalys, said vendors are in a difficult position when investing in in-house professional services, but feels the acquisitions will benefit the channel.
"Symantec is undergoing a corporate transition and is expanding from developing software to hardware. Developing this new technology requires complex knowledge," he said.
"It is a delicate line for a vendor to take, but the more it invests in in-house services, including such acquisitions, the better provision for the channel in the long-term in terms of training, support and resources."
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