DCS & Federal questions answered

'What the future holds for Federal Signal and Diamond Consulting Services'.

Bob Lees, MD for Diamond Consulting Services (DCS), owners of the Idris Technology, and Bill Osborne, CEO of Federal Signal Group together discuss the reasons for their partnering.

1. Bill, what were the reasons for Federal Signal's acquisition of DCS?
a. DCS have developed a ‘best in breed’ technology with Idris and the future potential for the software, not just in tolling but other markets, is still largely untapped.

2. Bob, why the sale to Federal Signal?
a. Bill Osborne articulated a vision we could relate to, which gave the right feel and synergy. We want Idris to move to the next level and to enable us to travel down that development route we needed the backing and resources Federal bring to the table.

3. Bill, where does Idris fit within the Federal Signal Group?
a. Idris with PIPS, an existing ALPR Federal Signal company, creates a core for the Federal Signal ITS group. This will open doors into new product and market areas with global opportunities.

4. A big question for you Bob: Can you answer why the buyout and why now?
a. It was clear that Idris needed more capital if its full potential was to be realised. As an organisation DCS has been resource limited for some time and we have been seeking a way to expand faster than we hitherto had been able. A buyout was one of the options under consideration. Why now? Well, as I say, we've been looking at various options to increase resources and the Federal approach came at a fortuitous juncture.

5. So Bill, what’s next for Federal?
a. Federal Signal is looking to further enhance its capabilities in the ITS field and, as you have seen with the acquisition of PIPS and DCS, we seek best-of-breed companies and products. The announcement of our interest in SIRIT further demonstrates this, and others may follow. The result is intended to both deliver complete ITS solutions and to gain unique synergies from the portfolio. Ultimately the customers will greatly benefit.

6. Bob, what does the acquisition do for the existing Idris users?
a. I believe the consequences for our partners and clients is very positive – there will be new products arising from the co-operation with other Federal Signal companies. For example, we have been working with the PIPS cameras for some time now and expect tighter integration now we are under one roof.

7. So following on, are there any new developments on the horizon?
a. We will be expanding our “a la carte” menu of product offerings, both in the tolling and other ITS markets. Idris has always aimed to “de-risk” system development for transportation and we will continue to offer products which achieve this.

8. Bill when would you expect the ITS market to see any benefit from the acquisition?
a. Well, as Bob mentioned above, we expect Idris and PIPS to be building on the work they have been doing and there should be some innovative offerings in the near future as a result.

9. Finally Bob, what happens now?
a. Well, it’s a little corny, but it really is ‘business as usual’. We have built up a loyal user base and we will continue to offer the level of support, service and motivation the industry expects from the Idris products and DCS. The purchase and distribution routes for Idris and associated products will continue to be via our Idris Technology Partners.

More information
If you have any questions that are not answered here, please address any questions to info@idris-technology.com