By Randy Arrington
LURAY, July 1 — Effective today, Luray-based Form Networks officially enters into a definitive merger agreement with Harrisonburg-based Vision Technology Group LLC. VTG is a leading managed service provider for information technology support that offers advanced cyber security solutions, while Form Networks specializes in business class IT solutions.
Form Networks’ client list includes local agencies in Page County government and the county’s three towns, as well as several large companies operating in the county. With the merger, VTG’s client list grows to nearly 100. However, both owners want local clients to know that local support is not going anywhere.
“We are not shifting service,” Form Networks’ owner Patrick Embry said. “We are being proactive to make sure [our clients] are safe and protected, and to do that we needed to merge with someone who had those resources and let them lead the charge.”
Launched in 2004, Vision Technology Group has implemented advanced technologies with increased cyber security throughout the Virginia and D.C. area and is a Gold-Certified Microsoft partner. With the merger, VTG’s staff grows to 14, with no layoffs for either company and no office closures. Local services and staff will still be managed out of Form Networks’ Luray office at 1316 East Main Street.
“We are merging; this is not like a hostile corporate takeover. Nothing’s going anywhere,” VTG owner Frank Cox said. “Form Networks also has services we need like the camera systems to cabling. It mutually benefits both of us.”
Established in 2014, Form Networks is using the merger to “further strengthen our position in the information technology market,” according to a June 24 letter sent to clients.
“Vision Technology’s advanced security, networking and systems monitoring, along with Form Networks’ local support capabilities and experience, is a combination that will benefit all clients,” the letter reads. “Advanced cyber security solutions and more advanced technologies are essential to adequately protect client systems. This merger provides a higher level of protection for network systems, while continuing valuable local support for our clients.”
Form Network clients will enjoy a larger support staff, additional resources, and greater network security to protect against cyber attacks — something Cox said is a rapidly growing need.
“Our big primary focus…our No. 1 concern…is cyber security above anything else,” Cox said. “The culture is changing, where people are realizing that they want more protection because there is so much more out there trying to get into their systems…and they are willing to fight back against all that. Our biggest security risk is the client…clicking on something that they shouldn’t, and we try to eliminate that risk as well.”
Both Cox and Embry have been personally visiting with clients since they issued the June 24 letter announcing the merger. They want to ensure them that services will only change for the better.
“That started last Friday and continues all week,” Embry said on Wednesday of client meetings. “That’s a process that will continue.”
The two IT businessmen have known each other through the industry for well over a decade. When discussions began about a merger, both companies seemed to have strengths that made an even stronger firm together, and both lacked something that the other could provide.
“Frank was looking to grow his company, and it made good sense to help [our] clients,” Embrey said. “It’s hard to [provide that level of security]…it takes a lot of resources and experience.”
VTG touts its ability to “help customers realize increased efficiency, decreased downtime, and decreased IT costs” while utilizing “advanced software and expertise of a much larger company with the personalized customer support and solutions of a smaller business,” according to its website (see link below).
Form Network clients should see no interruption of service during the integration of the two businesses.
Valley Automation Inc. — also owned by Embry, with offices in Luray and Harrisonburg — is not affected by this merger. Security cameras, access control and structured cabling shall continue to be provided by Valley Automation, who will work together with Vision Technologies where services from both companies are warranted.
For more information about Vision Technologies Group, visit https://www.vtg.biz/
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