A SOFTWARE specialist has created 30 jobs, a new office and an apprenticeship academy after buying a Southampton business.

Oxfordshire-based Sci-Net Business Solutions recently acquired the Microsoft Dynamics division of Blue Rock Systems, which was based in Southampton’s Shamrock Quay Marina.

The launch of Sci-Net’s Southampton office, at Enterprise House in Ocean Village, is part of a growth plan that has seen it appoint 30 staff across the two sites.

It has forecast 25 per cent year-on-year growth over the next years, after adding 30 per cent each year for the past three.

The business delivers enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and cloud products to help companies increase efficiencya dn profitability.

Sci-Net managing director Duncan Fergusson said: “Blue Rock’s well-established and reputable Microsoft division has great parallels with our own business values, making this an exciting strategic development for Sci-Net.

“With combined resources, talented staff, and expertise, we will continue to build upon our firm foundations as one of UK’s leading Dynamics 365 partners, whilst providing all of our customers with the very best software solutions and exceptional levels of customer service.”

The company recently established its own academy to take over the training of four apprentices who would otherwise have bene at risk of redundancy.

It has launched an undergraduate programme and welcomed its first postgraduate trainee consultant from the University of Portsmouth. The trainee will take part in a fast-track training scheme to develop knowledge across the company’s operation.

Mr Fergusson said: “Finding the right people is fundamental to growth, and our customers’ success, and we are now well-positioned to fulfill our business ambitions.

“We’re investing in our facilities both in Southampton and our Chipping Norton HQ, and in flagship industry events too, to build our presence as a leading Dynamics 365 partner. It’s an exciting time for our team and our customers.”

Sci-Net was a gold sponsor of the South Coast Summit – the largest Microsoft Cloud technology conference in the UK – which more than 1,400 guests in Southampton from October 15-16.