1980’s - The origin of Acuma dates back to the early 1980’s when, as Space Computer Systems, the company embarked on a partnership with IBM. As a software and services provider the company specialised in providing end-to-end CRM, public sector and bespoke solutions based on UNIX and IBM AS/400 platforms

1990’s - In the early 1990’s the company focused on the corporate market and specialised in customer relationship management systems, sales information systems and the embryonic decision support systems market.

1993 - Space won the DTI’s inaugural software development TickIT award for its Quality Management System beating the other two finalists Oracle and SEMA. The judges described Space as ‘setting the benchmark for meeting customer requirements and expectations’.

1995 - In 1995 Space became part of P & P plc and acted as the consolidating company for others within the group to offer an expanded customer offering as a software solutions led corporate reseller.

1997 - In 1997 the company name was changed to Acuma Solutions. Acuma then consisted of six divisions covering the main mid-range hardware vendors (IBM, Hewlett Packard, Digital and Sun) together with the software division and a distribution division (PSL). Acuma differentiated from other corporate resellers by adopting a project driven approach to the corporate market integrating application solutions from vendors such as Baan and SAP.

1998 - Acuma was now a true technology integrator using a combination of hardware supply, technical services and software products to design and build business solutions for its customers. As the company’s reselling activities were now solution focused the non core PSL distribution business was sold to its management in 1998. In the same year Acuma acquired Information Specialists Limited (ISL) which was a dedicated business intelligence application provider based on Cognos technology.

1999 - Acuma’s drive to increase its service presence in the business intelligence (BI) market improved with the acquisition of GA Information Systems (GAIS) in 1999. Complementing the ISL acquisition, GAIS was the largest partner of Business Objects in the UK and had developed many discrete industry specific BI applications that could be applied to the corporate customer base of Acuma.

2000 - In December 2000 Acuma successfully completed a buyout from its parent (now known as QA plc) and became part of the $4billion turnover of the JZ International group of companies. The objective of the buyout was to complete the transition from a technology focused reseller to a specialist information management solution provider.

2001 - With an established and loyal customer base and many years of implementing large scale and complex projects, Acuma was well positioned to be a leading company in the emerging information management market. The company re-aligned its cost base, relocated its offices and centralised its brand strategy.

2002 - The transition to dedicated solution provider was completed in June 2002 with the sale of the hardware part of the business to Specialist Computer Centres (SCC).

2003 - By the end of 2003 all legacy parts of the business had been removed. Service revenues had grown by over 60% since the buyout, gross margins improved from 14% to 40%, monthly overheads reduced by over £1million and the company was both profitable and cash generative. With over 100 employees dedicated to the Information Management marketplace operating throughout the UK, Europe and India, Acuma is on course to deliver growth in shareholder value by becoming Europe’s leading global provider of information management solutions.

Acuma TODAY
2006 - Saksoft and Acuma merger to combine high end consulting with a global service delivery model.
Acuma's future success is the combination of a market leading brand with a extensive cost-effective delivery model. Acuma have created the brand, and positioning with people such as Gartner is testimony to that. Acuma's delivery capability is now optimised through a merge with the Saksoft Group - a global service delivery organisation whose quality system is assessed at the highest level 5 of SEI CMMI model. The merged company’s offerings will be multi-vertical, multi-service with customer facing domain experts and back-end technology / service specialists.  Acuma customers will now derive higher value and broader service offerings through a seamless integration of onsite work with offshore resources.