GXS and Inovis sign definitive merger agreement

GXS and Inovis, leading providers of business-to-business (B2B) e-commerce services and software solutions, announced they signed a definitive agreement to merge. The merger of GXS and Inovis will further streamline customers’ global B2B deployments and provide them with a comprehensive range of B2B integration software and services-based solutions, the companies said in the Dec. 8 announcement.

GXS is a leading B2B e-commerce services provider with a strong focus on helping customers optimize their global supply chains through its software-as-a-service (SaaS) and software-based portfolio that includes B2B messaging services, supply chain visibility, product master data management and B2B Gateway software, GXS says. Inovis is a leader among B2B Gateway software providers and has a strong portfolio of complementary software and services including managed file transfer, supply chain visibility, product catalog, B2B Gateway and multi-enterprise master data management software, Inovis says.

Inovis has approximately 16,000 customers from a range of industries including retail and consumer products, financial services, transportation/logistics and automotive. The combined company would create a leading global provider of B2B e-commerce services and gives the company an even greater global presence, they say.

"Today’s merger announcement marks a turning-point in the B2B e-commerce industry," said Bob Segert, president and CEO of GXS. "GXS sees strong potential for further growth in B2B managed services and B2B integration software. This demand must be met by a company with a diversified portfolio and global scalability. The combined company will bring together a leading provider of B2B services, GXS, and a leading provider of B2B software, Inovis, into one, giving customers an invaluable portfolio for all of their global B2B e-commerce needs. Over the next few months, we will be focused on supporting our customers, reviewing our broad portfolio and providing the most reliable and scalable B2B platform available."

Pending approval

GXS and Inovis expect to close the merger in early 2010, subject to regulatory review. During the merger closing process, all services and solutions will continue to be supported and sold. The goal of any integration activity will be to provide customers with a well-informed, seamless, managed transition without business interruption. The companies expect to give customers capable, reliable, high-performance solutions for all their B2B e-commerce needs.

"Both GXS and Inovis are industry pioneers with proven abilities to serve world-class customers," said Sean Feeney, president and CEO of Inovis. "The complementary products of these two companies create significant value for customers…. This merger is a big step forward in the evolution of the B2B e-commerce industry."

GXS was advised by Barclays Capital and J.P. Morgan on the transaction. Inovis was advised by Kirkland & Ellis and BofA Merrill Lynch on the transaction.

Founded in 1983, Inovis is based in Alpharetta, Georgia and has offices around the globe. Based in Gaithersburg, MD, GXS has an extensive global network and has local offices in the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions.

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– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, online products editor, Manufacturing Business Technology , MBT www.mbtmag.com

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