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Press release:

Ref: BFC001
13th February 2012

Open GI to set the market alight with Blue Fire Communications

Open GI announces Blue Fire Communications Ltd as its new sister company to provide cost effective voice telecommunication services to the UK insurance industry and beyond.

Supplying all types of telecommunication services sourced from BT Wholesale, Blue Fire Communications has been established to provide the best coverage and quality of service throughout the UK whilst offering highly competitive tariffs on voice calls, ISDN and line rental. Blue Fire has already delivered impressive savings in excess of 25% against leading telecommunication suppliers for its first set of clients, including Towergate.

With an ethos of exceptional service and a focus on delivering significant cost savings, businesses will be able to start saving money immediately by transferring to Blue Fire Communications without any disruption to their business operations. By retaining existing telephone numbers, customers will be able to benefit from one single monthly bill for line rental and call charges based on a simple and cost effective pricing plan.

Martyn Cranfield, Head of Telecommunication Services, Blue Fire Communications Ltd, said: “Using an existing proven business model, we have already been able to deliver huge telecommunication savings to some very prominent names in the industry and we see this as an opportunity to help drive profitability for our clients.”

Chris Guillaume, Chief Executive Officer, Open International, said: “Blue Fire Communications represents a strategic acquisition for Open International and signals our intent to source best value for our clients. With close on 1,000 existing business relationships it is our belief that we can harness that collective buying power and negotiate better deals on behalf of our partners. The deal we’ve struck with BT Wholesale is testament to that.

“The next step is to expand Blue Fire’s proposition beyond voice and line, adding broadband and other related services. Our mid-term goal is to not stop at telecoms, but to seek other opportunities to expand on this “strength in numbers” proposition, protecting the long-term interests of the broker market and enhancing our overall proposition.”

For More Information about Open GI:
Adele Clarkson
Marketing and PR Manager
Open GI
Tel: 01905 754455
email: adele.clarkson@opengi.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

Open International provides market-leading solutions for insurance brokers. It incorporates Open GI, one of the UK and Ireland’s largest broker systems specialists, Blue Fire Communications Ltd and global market technology provider Mi Limited.

Open GI supplies market leading IT solutions to insurance brokers across the UK & Ireland. With 20,000 users in around 2,000 firms, the company has a 40% share of the UK broker market and is committed to technological innovation. Open GI technology enables personal and commercial lines brokers trading in standard and niche markets to streamline business activity and become more profitable. With a workforce of 350 people and a 30-year heritage, the company enjoys a strong financial performance. For the year ended 31st May 2010 Open GI reported revenues of £35.0 million and an operating profit of £21.1 million.

Blue Fire Communications Ltd is fully regulated by Oftel and provides a highly competitive range of voice services to deliver cost reductions specifically for UK general insurance business customers to drive improved profitability. It was acquired by Open International in October 2011 and operates from the same site as its sister company Open GI in Worcester.