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This spring Microsoft will turn 50. From humble beginnings in Albuquerque, New Mexico, it has turned into one of the largest business in the world, credited with transforming the computing market and, with it, our daily lives.

Microsoft technology first went on sale over here in the 1980s and, in 1982, Bytes Computer Supplies opened in Surrey, specialising in floppies and other accoutrements from the American group.

Today, Bytes Technology, as it is now understood, is a ₤ 1.1 billion company with about 1,200 workers and 6,000 clients.

It drifted on the Stock Exchange in December 2020, a fortnight before Britain's very first Covid Christmas. Shares were priced at ₤ 2.70, market reaction was enthusiastic and, by January 2024, they were trading at more than ₤ 6.50. The past year has actually been less fruitful, and today shares are just ₤ 4.65. At this level they are undervalued and must rebound through 2025 and beyond.

Back in the 1980s, Bytes' range was little. Early tech geeks used Microsoft to write easy files and produce on their computers, and Bytes offered the kit that made it possible.

Since then the computer world has actually changed beyond recognition, links.gtanet.com.br with Microsoft alone providing hundreds of services, from Outlook and Teams to create ware, cloud storage and, lately, Copilot, an expert system tool.

In safe hands: Bytes Technology has sales personnel who know their products inside out

Individuals can buy a lot of these products straight, however services tend to go through representatives, referred to as resellers, who offer lower rates, guidance and assistance when things go awry.

Bytes is the number one Microsoft reseller in the UK, with clients ranging from the cops, fire service and regional authorities to Harvey Nichols, Trainline and Findus food group.

Customers tend to use in between 500 and 2,500 staff - big enough to need plenty of IT however not so big that they can sort whatever out themselves. That is where Bytes comes into its own.

Technology has ended up being a vital tool for personal businesses and the public sector alike, however services have actually become so complicated that even IT groups require professionals to assist them work out what to purchase, when to purchase and how to use what they have bought.

Bytes staff are extremely trained, often starting there as graduates and costs years with the firm.

To an outsider, discussions between these salespeople and their consumers can sound like PhD interactions - or gobbledegook. To those in the know, such in-depth settlements are a vital part of business success.

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Bytes primary executive Sam Mudd prides herself available top-level service to brand-new and existing customers and, although Microsoft is a significant partner, she deals with a variety of providers, covering almost every technology requirement, consisting of cyber security.

A veteran staffer, Mudd took the helm last spring after former president Neil Murphy resigned, having actually purchased shares in Bytes without telling the board.

Investors took fright, Bytes stock plunged and, although Murphy was later on cleared, the shares have remained depressed.

Mudd is undeterred, having invested current months drawing up a development plan designed to drive sales and earnings over the next five years.

Potential is clear. Despite its primary position, Bytes has simply a 4 percent share of the marketplace so there ought to be lots of opportunities to expand.

Despite wobbles on Wall Street, need for software application is rising too, with with forecasters recommending annual growth of about 10 per cent.

Brokers expect Bytes revenues to increase 19 percent to ₤ 73 million in the year ending February 28, climbing to ₤ 87 million by 2027.

The group has a history of paying ordinary and special dividends too, forking out 8.7 p in ordinaries and 8.7 p in a one-off special last year, and expected to deliver 19.6 p for 2025, rising to 21.5 p next year.

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Midas verdict: Recent outcomes from Microsoft and other tech titans might have disappointed financiers, but the days when we handled completely well without IT are long gone.

Bytes helps business, charities and the public sector to browse the digital minefield.

With a strong performance history and elearnportal.science a track record for delivering on its guarantees, the company needs to show durable, even in today's uncertain times.

That makes the shares a buy, at ₤ 4.65.

Traded on: Main market Ticker: BYIT Contact: bytesplc.com