BUSINESS communications supplier, Annodata Ltd, has bought Avaya ECS Ltd's InDeX Professional Services (IPS) Division for an undisclosed sum.

The purchase gives the group a combined turnover of £37 million with around 300 employees.

Annodata was started in 1988 by brothers Andrew and Tim Harman, who grew up in Holmer Green and still live locally.

The company has set up a new subsidiary IPS Telecoms Ltd and will transfer all 18 of the InDeX Professional Services' staff, currently based in Welwyn Garden City, to its offices at St Albans and Kings Langley.

Tim Harman, joint manager director at Annodata, said: "IPS fits strategically with our aim to be a foremost telecoms provider. The business is well managed and offers us national presence with some of the most highly skilled maintenance and project management people in the industry."

Andy Powell, formerly director of the InDeX Professional Services division at Avaya ECS Ltd, who will head up the new division, said Avaya had considered offers from a number of companies but Annodata provided the best fit in terms of stability and growth.