Bristol, UK, February 03, 2012 – UNIT4 Business Software Ltd, the UK division of UNIT4, today announced it has completed the acquisition of MentecPlus Integrated Solutions Ltd, a provider of integrated IT business solutions to organisations in the SME and Public Sectors and sole distributor of Agresso Business World in Ireland since 1998. The acquisition also includes the IP for the M+ suite of products which are widely used throughout the UK & Ireland amd internationally.
The company will be renamed UNIT4 Business Software Ireland and will continue to sell and support both the Agresso Business World and Coda Financials product lines in Ireland.
There are currently 120 Agresso Business World and Coda Financials customers in Ireland, the majority in the public sector. UNIT4 is the number one supplier of financial systems to local government in Ireland and the UK with more than 170 councils across the two countries and is a leading public sector player internationally. In tough economic times UNIT4 has a fast growing reputation for innovation in the sector particularly around shared services, including a contract in Ireland with the Local Government Computer Services Board (LGCSB) which supplies Agresso under a framework agreement to 75 Councils, 14 Irish Institutes of Technology via An Cheim, and a large number of Universities, health organisations and government departments. This acquisition will further strengthen its presence in the Irish market.
UNIT4 now has direct operations in 25 countries around the world. Irish customers will benefit from being supported and managed directly by the UNIT4 team and will become part of a wider UK & Ireland operation, with greater resources and a bigger customer base in which to network.
“UNIT4 solutions are well suited to a shared services environment, and Agresso has helped us and a large number of organisations realise the benefits of reduced technology and procurement costs, increased flexibility and the sharing of knowledge and expertise,” said Derek Feeney, CEO of An Cheim. “Agresso’s flexibility and agility have supported members of the initiative through organisational change while continuing to meet stakeholder demands. This news comes at the right time for Ireland as business faces unprecedented change and a need for more operational effectiveness.”
Other Ireland-based UNIT4 clients using Agresso Business World include The Department of Transport, University College Cork, PMG Group, Coillte Teo, Certus, The Children’s University Hospital, Cork City Council, Church of Ireland, Environmental Protection Agency. Coda Financials clients include Barchester Healthcare, BWG Foods, One51, Quinn Group and Zurich Bank.
“Initiatives including shared services, cloud computing and open data are heavily emphasised in the Irish Public Sector Reform plan, and are areas where we can make a big difference in Ireland at this time of European economic change,” said Anwen Robinson, Managing Director of UNIT4 Business Software Ltd. “We are signing a growing number of shared services contracts throughout the UK as organisations look to save money and improve frontline services. Our proven and referenceable track record in delivering innovative business software with a low cost of change to both commercial and public sectors will continue to be be our differentiator as we expand our presence in Ireland.”
Prior to the acquisition, MentecPlus Integrated Solutions Ltd was a wholly owned subsidiary of Better Capital Limited (a London Stock Exchange quoted (BCAP) private equity investment fund).
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About UNIT4
UNIT4 is a global business software and services company aimed at helping dynamic public sector, and commercial services organisations to embrace change simply, quickly and cost effectively in a market sector it calls 'Businesses Living IN Change' (BLINC)™. The Group incorporates a number of the world’s leading change embracing software brands including Agresso Business World, our flagship ERP suite for mid-sized services intensive organisations and Coda, our best-of-class financial management software.
With operations in 18 European countries, as well as 7 countries across North America, Asia Pacific and Africa and sales activities in several other countries, its revenue was €421.7 million in 2010.
In the UK we focus strongly on the public sector, where we are the leading provider of ERP systems to local government and post 16 education organisations, as well as having a considerable presence in the emergency services and health sectors. We also focus strongly on professional services organisations and a range of commercial sectors including Financial Services, Retail and Media and Publishing. Overall we aim to be the UK’s foremost business software company, providing solutions that transform the delivery of public services and comprehensively support commercial organisations in their ability to adapt and prosper in rapidly changing environments.
UNIT4 is headquartered in Sliedrecht, the Netherlands and has over 4,000 employees. It is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and is included in the Amsterdam Midcap Index (AMX).
For more information on UNIT4 or any of its operating companies, please visit the website at www.unit4software.co.uk, follow us on Twitter @UNIT4_UK
