Dimension Data
A South African-founded information and communications technology services company that became part of NTT's global technology-services businesses.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
Dimension Data was founded in South Africa in 1983 by Keith McLachlan, Werner Sievers, Jeremy Ord, Peter Neale, and Kevin Hamilton. The company's early business focused on information technology, networking, and technical services. It expanded to Botswana in 1993 and entered the Asia-Pacific region between 1995 and 1997. In 1991, it became the official distributor for Cisco Systems in South Africa, a relationship that made enterprise networking its core business. The company expanded its geographic coverage and service capabilities through acquisitions and equity investments. In 1996, it acquired a 45% stake in Australia's ComTech and invested in South Africa's Internet Solutions. It fully acquired ComTech in 2000. In 1997, it acquired majority stakes in The Merchants Group and Datacraft. Between 1998 and 2000, it focused on expanding into the Northern Hemisphere, including the acquisition of London telecommunications company Plessey in 1998. Dimension Data was listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1987 and on the London Stock Exchange on July 31, 2000. In the 2000s, Dimension Data continued to expand in Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Brett Dawson became CEO in 2004, with Jeremy Ord serving as Group Executive Chairman. The company acquired or added businesses in telecommunications, outsourcing, cloud, systems integration, and managed services. In 2008, it acquired SQL Services. As of September 2009, annual revenue was approximately $4 billion. NTT acquired Dimension Data in July 2010 for approximately £2.1 billion. NTT subsequently announced that Dimension Data would delist from the Johannesburg and London exchanges by the end of 2010. Under NTT, the group continued to expand through acquisitions and integrations, including OpSource, NextiraOne, Oakton, e2y Commerce, Earthwave, AccessKenya, and Nexus IS. Nexus IS significantly increased the group's presence in the United States. Dimension Data's subsidiaries and investment network also included Internet Solutions, Merchants, Plessey, ContinuitySA, AlwaysOn, and others. According to cited sources, as of 2016, the company had approximately 31,000 employees in 58 countries. Jason Goodall became CEO after Dawson stepped down. Dimension Data organized its offerings around digital infrastructure, hybrid cloud, future workspaces, and cybersecurity. Services included data center design and operations, server and storage management, backup and disaster recovery, public and private cloud, network integration, managed networks, collaboration, security assessments, governance, compliance, and risk management. The company played a significant role in sports technology through its partnership with Amaury Sport Organisation. Starting in 2015, it provided real-time telemetry and digital infrastructure for cycling events, including GPS positioning and speed data, event coordination, analytics, and broadcast graphics. It also became a sponsor of the professional cycling team Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka. On July 1, 2019, most of Dimension Data's business, except for the Middle East and Africa, was integrated into NTT Ltd., merging with NTT Communications and NTT Security. The Dimension Data name continued to be used in the Middle East and Africa. Grant Bodley led the business until his resignation, after which Werner Kapp became CEO in April 2021. In June 2022, NTT announced that Alan Turnley-Jones would succeed Kapp. In October 2023, NTT announced a further transition, with the remaining Dimension Data business becoming NTT DATA, Inc. on April 1, 2024. The provided sources do not confirm whether Dimension Data continues to exist as a separate brand thereafter.
History
Dimension Data was established in South Africa in 1983 by Keith McLachlan, Werner Sievers, Jeremy Ord, Peter Neale, and Kevin Hamilton. Its early business centered on information technology, networking, and technical services. The company expanded into Botswana in 1993 and into Asia-Pacific between 1995 and 1997. In 1991, it became Cisco Systems' official South African distributor, an important relationship as enterprise networking became a core part of its identity. The company used acquisitions and equity investments to broaden its geographical reach and service capabilities. In 1996, it acquired a 45 percent interest in Australia's ComTech and invested in Internet Solutions in South Africa. It later purchased ComTech outright in 2000. In 1997, Dimension Data acquired majority interests in The Merchants Group and Datacraft. From 1998 through 2000, it concentrated on expansion into the Northern Hemisphere, including the acquisition of London telecommunications company Plessey in 1998. Dimension Data listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange in 1987 and on the London Stock Exchange on 31 July 2000. During the 2000s, Dimension Data continued expanding across Africa, Europe, the Middle East, the Americas, and Asia-Pacific. Brett Dawson became chief executive in 2004, while Jeremy Ord served as group executive chairman. The company acquired or added businesses covering telecommunications, outsourcing, cloud, systems integration, and managed services. SQL Services was acquired in 2008. By September 2009, reported annual revenue was approximately $4 billion. NTT acquired Dimension Data in July 2010 for approximately £2.1 billion. NTT subsequently announced that Dimension Data would be delisted from both the Johannesburg and London exchanges by the end of 2010. Under NTT ownership, the group continued to expand through acquisitions and integration. These included OpSource, NextiraOne, Oakton, e2y Commerce, Earthwave, AccessKenya, and Nexus IS. Nexus IS substantially increased the group's presence in the United States. Dimension Data's broader subsidiary and investment network also included Internet Solutions, Merchants, Plessey, ContinuitySA, AlwaysOn, and other regional businesses. By 2016, the company employed approximately 31,000 people in 58 countries, according to the cited reference material. Jason Goodall became chief executive after Dawson stepped down. Dimension Data organized its offering around digital infrastructure, hybrid cloud, future workspaces, and cybersecurity. Its services included data-center design and operations, server and storage management, backup and disaster recovery, public and private cloud, network integration, managed networking, collaboration, security assessment, governance, compliance, and risk management. The company developed a high-profile sports-technology role through its partnership with the Amaury Sport Organisation. Beginning in 2015, it provided real-time race telemetry and digital infrastructure for cycling events, including GPS location and speed data, race coordination, analytics, and broadcast graphics. It also became the sponsor of the professional cycling team Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka. On 1 July 2019, most Dimension Data operations outside the Middle East and Africa were incorporated into NTT Ltd., alongside NTT Communications and NTT Security. The Dimension Data name continued in the Middle East and Africa. Grant Bodley led that business until his resignation, after which Werner Kapp became chief executive in April 2021. NTT announced Alan Turnley-Jones as Kapp's successor in June 2022. In October 2023, NTT announced a further transition under which the remaining Dimension Data business would become NTT DATA, Inc. from 1 April 2024. The supplied sources do not establish whether Dimension Data remains a separately marketed brand after that date.
- 2024
Planned transition to NTT DATA
[1]The remaining business was announced as transitioning to NTT DATA, Inc. on 1 April.
- 2019
Integration into NTT Ltd.
[1]Most operations outside the Middle East and Africa moved into NTT Ltd.
- 2015
Cycling technology partnership
[1]Dimension Data became official technology partner for cycling events organized by the Amaury Sport Organisation.
- 2010
Acquisition by NTT
[1]NTT acquired Dimension Data and subsequently took it private.
- 2000
London listing and ComTech buyout
[1]The company listed in London and completed its acquisition of ComTech.
- 1996
Expansion through ComTech and Internet Solutions
[1]Dimension Data acquired a minority stake in ComTech and invested in Internet Solutions.
- 1991
Cisco distribution agreement
[1]The company became Cisco Systems' official South African distributor.
- 1987
Johannesburg Stock Exchange listing
[1]Dimension Data became a listed company on 15 July.
- 1983
Dimension Data founded in South Africa
[1]Keith McLachlan, Werner Sievers, Jeremy Ord, Peter Neale, and Kevin Hamilton founded the company.
Products and positioning
Enterprise-focused ICT and managed-services provider combining systems integration, network expertise, cloud infrastructure, cybersecurity, data-center operations, and digital transformation.
IT infrastructure
Digital Infrastructure Services
Dimension Data designed, operated, transformed, and relocated data-center environments. Its infrastructure work covered servers, storage, network integration, operational management, backup, and disaster recovery. The service model was aimed at enterprises seeking to modernize physical and virtual infrastructure while outsourcing some operational responsibilities.
Cloud computing
Hybrid Cloud Solutions
The company provided public, private, and hybrid cloud environments. Hybrid deployments allowed customers to divide workloads and data between their own facilities and Dimension Data or third-party infrastructure. The offering included cloud hosting and associated integration and management services, with reported operating locations including Johannesburg, Sydney, and London.
Cybersecurity
Cybersecurity Services
Dimension Data's security portfolio included infrastructure security, security assessment, governance and compliance, enterprise risk assessment, mobile security, and data-leakage prevention. These capabilities were delivered as advisory, technical, and managed services for enterprise environments.
Networking and communications
Managed Networking and Collaboration
Managed networking services covered enterprise LAN, SD-WAN, SASE, edge networking, and cloud voice. Dimension Data combined network design and integration with monitoring, support, and ongoing management, extending its historical systems-integration expertise into distributed and cloud-connected work environments.
Sports technology · 2015
Cycling Digital Infrastructure
For professional cycling events, Dimension Data supplied real-time telemetry and race data services, including GPS positioning, speed information, coordination tools, analytics, data capture, and enhanced broadcast graphics. The program was developed in partnership with the Amaury Sport Organisation.
Marketing campaigns
- 2015Amaury Sport Organisation cycling technology partnership
France · Spain · International cycling markets
Dimension Data entered a five-year agreement to support the Tour de France, Vuelta a España, and other cycling events with real-time telemetry, GPS positioning, speed data, race coordination, analytics, and broadcast enhancements.
Outcome. Established a prominent sports-technology platform for the Dimension Data brand.
- 2015Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka sponsorship
International professional cycling
Dimension Data became the title sponsor of the professional team formerly known as MTN-Qhubeka, linking the brand to African participation in elite cycling and the Qhubeka social-mobility initiative.
Outcome. Created a global brand sponsorship and supported the company's sports-technology positioning.
Brand decisions
2023
Transition the remaining business to NTT DATAStrategyBackground
Following the 2019 consolidation, NTT announced a further brand and organizational transition for the remaining Dimension Data operations.
Action taken
NTT announced that Dimension Data would become NTT DATA, Inc. effective 1 April 2024, with Alan Turnley-Jones continuing to lead the Africa and Middle East business.
Aftermath
The supplied reference material does not confirm the post-transition legal or commercial status of the Dimension Data brand.
2019
Consolidate most operations into NTT Ltd.StrategyBackground
NTT reorganized several technology-services businesses to create a more integrated global operating structure.
Action taken
On 1 July, Dimension Data operations outside the Middle East and Africa were combined with NTT Communications and NTT Security within NTT Ltd.
Aftermath
The Dimension Data name continued for the Middle East and Africa business, while much of the former global operation was represented through NTT Ltd.
2010
Accept NTT acquisitionM&ABackground
NTT sought to expand its global information and communications technology-services platform through the acquisition of Dimension Data.
Action taken
NTT acquired Dimension Data for approximately £2.1 billion, after which the company was delisted from the Johannesburg and London exchanges.
Aftermath
Dimension Data operated as an NTT subsidiary and continued international expansion through additional acquisitions and integrations.
Acquisition value. Approximately £2.1 billion (2010)
Recent events
Reported
Dimension Data announces acquisition of Acacia Cloud Solutions[2]
Dimension Data announced its acquisition of cloud implementation company Acacia Cloud Solutions, saying the move is expected to expand its AWS capabilities.
Reported
Dimension Data MEA appoints Werner Kapp as CEO[3]
Dimension Data MEA announced Werner Kapp's appointment as CEO. He was due to take up the role on 1 April 2021.
Reported
NTT announces phased brand consolidation[4]
NTT Ltd. announced that Dimension Data, NTT Communications, Netmagic Solutions, NTT Security, Arkadin and other companies and brands would become NTT as part of NTT Ltd.; the brands were to be combined over a phased period.
Sources4 sources
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