Matrix Business Technologies

Matrix Business Technologies is the commercial telecommunications brand associated with Matrix Telecom, Inc., a United States provider of voice and data services. The business serves small and medium-sized companies, consumers, multi-location and distributed enterprises such as national chains, and wholesale customers in the telecommunications, wireless, and cable sectors. Its service portfolio has included local and long-distance voice, toll-free calling, integrated voice and Internet connectivity, dedicated T1 access, IP virtual private networks, DSL, audio conferencing, web conferencing, and wholesale switched and dedicated long-distance capacity. The company was founded in 1990 and is headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with operations in Atmore, Alabama. Reference material describes a workforce of approximately 300 employees. Matrix operated as a facilities-based competitive local exchange carrier and as a long-distance provider, with authorization in 49 states and the District of Columbia. Its network model combined an internally operated Veraz softswitch-based platform with interconnection and service relationships involving carriers and communications providers such as Global Crossing, Verizon Business, XO Communications, PAETEC, Level 3, Covad, AT&T, Qwest, IBM, and InterCall. Matrix’s development was shaped by acquisitions and brand consolidation under Platinum Equity. Platinum Equity acquired Matrix in 1999. In 2001, Matrix integrated customers associated with Staples Communications following an acquisition by its owner. The purchase of Global Crossing’s Small Business Group in 2005 expanded the company’s commercial customer base and prompted the launch of the Matrix Business Technologies brand, which helped distinguish business-facing services from residential offerings. The company subsequently broadened its consumer and national footprint through the 2007 acquisition of assets from Trinsic Communications, formerly associated with Z-Tel. Those services were marketed as “Trinsic, Powered by Matrix.” In 2010, Matrix announced an agreement to acquire customers and substantially all assets of Excel Telecommunications. The transaction closed on August 2, 2010, and Excel’s Irving, Texas facility became the headquarters of the combined companies. Matrix was recognized by Inc. Magazine in 1995 as one of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States, ranking seventh nationally and first in Texas; it remained on the publication’s list the following year. The available reference material does not establish the brand’s current operating status, ownership structure beyond Platinum Equity’s historical ownership, current website, current leadership, or whether all listed services remain available. Matrix Business Technologies is therefore best understood as a historically documented business telecommunications brand whose identity developed through acquisitions, carrier partnerships, and the separation of commercial and residential market propositions.

Matrix Business Technologies developed from Matrix Telecom, Inc., a United States telecommunications company founded in 1990. The company built a business around voice and data services for consumers, small and medium-sized businesses, distributed enterprises, and wholesale communications customers. Its operating model combined competitive local exchange carrier capabilities, long-distance authorization, an internally operated softswitch-based network, and relationships with larger national communications providers. A significant change in ownership occurred in 1999, when Platinum Equity acquired Matrix. Platinum Equity’s investment and acquisition strategy later shaped the company’s expansion. In 2001, Matrix integrated customers from Staples Communications through a transaction made by Platinum Equity. This broadened the company’s customer base and added scale to its business telecommunications operations. Matrix’s commercial identity became more distinct after Platinum Equity acquired Global Crossing’s Small Business Group in 2005. Following that transaction, Matrix launched the Matrix Business Technologies brand to emphasize services for commercial customers and to distinguish the business proposition from residential telecommunications activities. The brand covered voice, connectivity, conferencing, and wholesale offerings rather than a single consumer product. In June 2007, Platinum Equity acquired assets of Trinsic Communications, a company formerly associated with Z-Tel. Matrix integrated the assets, adding residential customers and increasing the breadth of its national footprint. The resulting residential proposition was marketed under the name “Trinsic, Powered by Matrix,” while Matrix Business Technologies represented the company’s commercial-facing identity. Matrix continued its consolidation strategy in 2010. On March 16, the company announced that it would acquire Excel Telecommunications customers and substantially all of Excel’s assets. The transaction closed on August 2, 2010. Excel’s facility in Irving, Texas became the headquarters for the combined companies, linking Matrix’s existing operations with Excel’s customer and service platform. The company’s reported services included local and long-distance voice, wholesale switched and dedicated long-distance capacity, switched and dedicated toll-free services, integrated voice and Internet T1 connections, dedicated T1 access, IP VPN, DSL, audio conferencing, and web conferencing. Matrix also relied on interconnection and network relationships with multiple carriers and technology providers, including Global Crossing, Verizon Business, XO Communications, PAETEC, Level 3, Covad, AT&T, Qwest, IBM, and InterCall. Matrix achieved notable private-company growth recognition in 1995, when Inc. Magazine ranked it seventh among fast-growing private companies in the United States and first in Texas. It remained on the list the following year. Reference material places the company’s headquarters in Dallas, Texas, with operations in Atmore, Alabama, and describes approximately 300 employees. The available sources do not provide a reliable current account of its leadership, website, financial performance, or present-day operating status. Accordingly, the historical record is strongest for the period of acquisition-led expansion from the late 1990s through 2010.

1. 2010Excel Telecommunications transaction closes

   Matrix completes its acquisition of Excel Telecommunications customers and substantially all of the company’s assets; Excel’s Irving headquarters becomes the combined headquarters.

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2. 2007Trinsic assets are added to Matrix

   Platinum Equity acquires Trinsic Communications assets, which are integrated into Matrix and marketed in part as Trinsic, Powered by Matrix.

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3. 2005Matrix Business Technologies brand is launched

   The purchase of Global Crossing’s Small Business Group helps Matrix expand its commercial market presence and introduce the Matrix Business Technologies identity.

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4. 2001Staples Communications customers are integrated

   Matrix integrates Staples Communications customers following an acquisition made by Platinum Equity.

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5. 1999Platinum Equity acquires Matrix

   Matrix is acquired by Platinum Equity, a private investment firm focused on mergers, acquisitions, and operations.

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6. 1995Inc. Magazine recognizes Matrix for rapid growth

   Matrix is ranked seventh nationally and first in Texas among fast-growing private companies identified by Inc. Magazine, and remains on the list the following year.

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7. 1990Matrix is founded

   Matrix Telecom, the company associated with the Matrix Business Technologies brand, is established in the United States.

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A business-focused telecommunications provider combining local and long-distance voice, data connectivity, collaboration services, and wholesale carrier capacity for small and medium-sized businesses, distributed enterprises, and communications-industry customers.

• Local Voice ServiceBusiness telephony

  Local calling service supplied through Matrix’s competitive telecommunications operations for business and other eligible customers.

• Long-Distance Voice ServiceBusiness telephony

  Long-distance calling offered to consumers and business users as part of Matrix’s broader voice-service portfolio.

• Wholesale Voice ServicesWholesale telecommunications

  Switched and dedicated long-distance services supplied to telecommunications, wireless, and cable-sector customers requiring wholesale voice capacity.

• Toll-Free ServicesBusiness telephony

  Switched and dedicated toll-free calling options for organizations requiring inbound customer or enterprise communications.

• Integrated Voice and Internet T1Business connectivity

  An integrated communications connection combining voice service and Internet access over T1 infrastructure for business locations.

• Dedicated T1Business connectivity

  Dedicated T1 connectivity intended for business sites requiring managed telecommunications access.

• IP VPNEnterprise networking

  Internet Protocol virtual private networking for connecting business locations and distributed enterprise operations.

• DSLInternet access

  Digital subscriber line broadband connectivity included among Matrix’s data and Internet access services.

• Audio and Web ConferencingCollaboration services

  Audio and web conferencing services supporting meetings and remote collaboration for business customers.

• 2010Acquire Excel Telecommunications customers and assetsM&A

  Matrix sought to expand its customer and service base through a transaction involving Dallas-based Excel Telecommunications.

  What changed. Matrix announced the transaction on March 16, 2010, and completed it on August 2, 2010, acquiring Excel customers and substantially all of its assets.

  Aftermath. Excel’s Irving, Texas headquarters became the headquarters of the combined companies.

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• 2007Integrate Trinsic Communications assetsM&A

  Platinum Equity acquired assets of Trinsic Communications, formerly associated with Z-Tel.

  What changed. The assets were integrated into Matrix and marketed under the Trinsic, Powered by Matrix identity.

  Aftermath. The transaction expanded Matrix’s residential customer base and broadened its national service footprint.

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• 2005Separate commercial and residential brand propositionsStrategy

  After acquiring Global Crossing’s Small Business Group, Matrix needed to clarify its market presence across commercial and residential telecommunications.

  What changed. Matrix launched the Matrix Business Technologies brand to emphasize services for businesses and distributed enterprise customers.

  Aftermath. The brand became the commercial-facing identity within a broader portfolio that also included residential and niche telecommunications brands.

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• 2010Matrix announces Excel Telecommunications acquisition

  On March 16, 2010, Matrix announced plans to acquire Excel Telecommunications customers and substantially all of the Dallas-based company’s assets.

  M&A
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• 2010Excel Telecommunications transaction closes

  The Excel transaction closed on August 2, 2010. Excel’s Irving, Texas headquarters became the headquarters of the combined companies.

  M&ALeadership change
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• 2007Matrix acquires Trinsic Communications assets

  Platinum Equity acquired Trinsic Communications assets, formerly associated with Z-Tel, and integrated them into Matrix, strengthening its residential customer base and national service footprint.

  M&A
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• 2005Global Crossing small-business acquisition supports Matrix Business Technologies launch

  The acquisition of Global Crossing’s Small Business Group expanded Matrix’s commercial presence and was followed by the introduction of the Matrix Business Technologies brand.

  M&A
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• 2001Matrix integrates Staples Communications customers

  Matrix incorporated customers associated with Staples Communications into its operations following an acquisition made by Platinum Equity.

  M&A
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• 1999Matrix is acquired by Platinum Equity

  Platinum Equity acquired Matrix, bringing the telecommunications company into the investment firm’s portfolio and establishing the ownership context for later acquisitions and integrations.

  M&A
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1. Matrix Business Technologies