This article was first published on Digital News Asia and contributed by Henry Tye

THE Exabytes Group (Exabytes), a Malaysian web-hosting services and e-commerce solutions provider announced its acquisition of HT Internet Sdn Bhd for an undisclosed sum.

According to Exabytes founder and CEO Chan Kee Siak (pic) the acquisition was paid for in cash in two tranches, before and after due diligence.

The 100% acquisition of HT Internet is a strategic move by the Exabytes to offer more comprehensive online solutions to its customers.

HT Internet and its other solution brands such as ‘GROW’ will continue while the HT internet team will be integrated as part of the Exabytes Capital Group.

“Our current client base is close to 200,000 hosted websites, and it is time that Exabytes is able to convincingly and confidently offer our client base the option of a fully managed website and e-commerce solution, beside just the current pure web hosting services and server space,” explains Chan on the rationale for the deal.

Prior the acquisition, Exabytes existing business consisted of mainly of domain name, web hosting, cloud and servers. However, Exabytes’ clients who have a domain or hosting account do not necessarily have a website.

“Without a website, clients cannot advertise and market their products online. We ventured into digital marketing services by offering Google Adwords digital advertising services two years ago.
“But there was still something missing in between – which is the ability to manage the website for the client. And this is where HT Internet acquisition fits in.
“With the HT Internet team integrated with Exabytes, we are now able to offer a complete range of managed website solutions that consists of domain, web hosting, web design and ongoing website management and maintenance service.

The acquisition of HT Internet does not change the course of Exabytes Group’s long term strategic business plan.

In fact, Chan said that they are piloting this fully managed website solutions idea first in Malaysia. If it works well, the fully managed website services will be expanded to include other markets such as Singapore and Indonesia where the company already has a physical presence in.

Established in 2011, HT Internet manages over 5,000 domain names and primarily deals with website development, domain name and hosting, search engine optimisation (SEO) and Google advertising solutions.

Consolidate skills and technologies

Another rationale for the acquisition is the integration and optimisation of resources. Exabytes’ team will take over the management of the HT Internet hosting business while HT Internet team will focus on growing the new "managed website service”.

Exabytes and HT Internet will share common backend resources for better efficiency.

“We believe that the potential of the internet for business has yet to be fully explored in this region and Exabytes is preparing to help the regional community with our full range of online solutions and e-commerce expertise,” Chan said.

Exabytes projects that its acquisition of HT Internet will contribute at least 5% of the group’s total bottom line within 3 years.