Fast-growth IT firm gets bigger

SARASOTA — Datum Corp., a fast-growing IT firm with worldwide clients in retail and hospitality, has acquired BreakFree IT, a company in the same field.

The deal was a 100% stock purchase, according to a release, thought the price wasn't disclosed. BreakFree, the release states, has been in the local IT industry for 20 years, with clients that include performing arts organizations, private schools, medical organizations and insurance agencies. (The Observer Media Group, publisher of the Business Observer, has been a BreakFree client in the past.)

Datum will retain all of BreakFree's employees, the company says. “We take a very deliberate approach to acquiring organizations that will add to and fulfill strategic geographic goals, as well as bring top talent to the business,” Datum CEO Tom Frost says. “BreakFree IT has assembled an excellent team and an impressive client list. The addition of Datum's resources will add to the already first-rate service.”

Datum has been growing in other ways, in addition to the acquisition. The company bought a new headquarters in Lakewood Ranch last year, and it also recently announced plans to hire more than 50 employees over the next five years. The firm has other offices in Atlanta, Los Angeles and Honolulu.