A new chapter as Bytemark moves up the stack
You and thousands of other developers have trusted Bytemark since Peter and I founded the company in 2002.
Since then we’ve built our own cloud hosting platform, our own data centre in York, and hundreds of custom managed hosting solutions. We’ve built our own support & engineering teams, after first building our own anonymous recruitment system to build them with.
Building is what we do at Bytemark, and what we love!
In 2018 we started to solve problems you were having with cloud-native technologies – the technologies that join your software and hosting platforms together, like Bytemark’s own Cloud Server API.
We have developed our own software with container technology for over 10 years; but we realised that for Bytemark to move forward, we needed to do a better job of bringing that expertise to you.
You use Docker, you use Terraform, you use Kubernetes and an array of other cloud-native technologies – or else you’re keen to get started with them – but you’ve always looked to Bytemark for advice and support.
We’re rebuilding our own internal systems using these up-to-date cloud-native technologies, and we want you to learn alongside us.
New chapter, new risk
With this new phase of Bytemark comes new risk. When Peter and I discussed it last year, we came to the conclusion that we were both ready to move on. We built the thing we built, and didn’t want to risk losing Bytemark’s essence – our eternal support for free software, fair employment practice and solid engineering.
So we combed the market for suitable purchasers. We drew a line through those who clearly don’t share our values. And on Friday 24th August 2018, we handed over Bytemark to a company that definitely does, and can take it to the next level.
Bytemark is now part of iomart Group plc.
Peter and I are pleased to announce that we’ve found Bytemark a new home with iomart Group plc.
iomart has itself built a successful business – providing secure managed hosting and cloud services for the past 20 years. The fact that it’s listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange means it’s financially stable and here for the long term.
As with iomart’s previous acquisitions, Bytemark’s business will continue as usual. There are no redundancies planned and we even have some new colleagues starting this month. Both Peter and I will continue to run the business with the board until March 2019. We’re working to transfer control over our 33-strong team.
The two of us have witnessed iomart’s track record first hand, and we’re confident of a smooth transition. Angus Macsween, their CEO understands the best of Bytemark’s software, staff and careers and sees the company as a “centre of excellence” for software and infrastructure-as-a-service.
In turn, Bytemark will tap into iomart’s specialisms to develop our Cloud product, and the teams who build it.
From Peter and I, thank you to our whole team, and to you. We’ll be busy setting Bytemark up for its next chapter.
Matthew Bloch & Peter Taphouse
(Bytemark Founders)
