IFS, Infor deals may show renewed ERP merger and acquisition activities

Two mid-August ERP-related announcements may indicate renewed interest in mergers and acquisitions within the manufacturing enterprise resource planning (ERP) space. IFS acquired MultiPlus Solutions while Infor and Golden Gate Capital completed acquisition of SoftBrands. Both announcements were made Aug. 13.

IFS acquires MultiPlus Solutions

Multiplus Solutions expects to be part of IFS .

IFS, the global enterprise applications company, announced Aug. 13 that it signed an agreement with Qurius International Holding B.V. to purchase 100 percent of the shares of MultiPlus Solutions AS. The purchase price will be paid in cash. The acquisition will further strengthen IFS’ market position with respect to project-based solutions (PBS) for targeted industry sectors.

IFS says that MultiPlus Solutions, based in Sandefjord ( Norway) with sites in China and Denmark, is a well-established vendor of project-based business applications to the marine (shipbuilding, offshore), EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) and project manufacturing industries. MultiPlus ERP suite functionality includes finance, project control, maintenance, manufacturing, document management, and human resource management.

IFS called the Multiplus Solutions 100 customers attractive, spanning Norway, Denmark, France, the United States, and China. IFS intends to continue to support, maintain and enhance the product, while realizing economy of scale and synergies related to having similar industry and solution competencies. MultiPlus Solutions Group generated net revenue of NOK 45.9 million, of which nearly 50 percent is product revenue, and EBIT amounting to NOK 2.8 million in 2008.

"With the acquisition of Multiplus Solutions IFS can be seen to be executing on its stated strategy for growth and doing so by growing in one of its primary target sectors. The industries served by project-based solutions (PBS) is a market in which MultiPlus Solutions is a well respected supplier and where IFS seeks to achieve a market-leading position with its excellent customers and deep industry knowledge," IFS CEO Alastair Sorbie said.

IFS Scandinavia will be responsible for integrating MultiPlus Solutions, and Managing Director Glenn Arnesen looks forward to welcoming new customers and employees onboard.

"We have a strong cultural fit, both organizations being customer-driven and committed to delivering flexible, component-based solutions that respond to the changing needs of our targeted industries. We also look forward to including companies such as Ulstein Verft, Color Line, The Frank Mohn group, Elko, Sinopacific Shipbuilding Group, Mustad and UMOE Schat-Harding in our customer base," Arnesen said.

The transaction was expected to be completed by mid-September, subject to the completion of regulatory and other formalities.

IFS offers a manufacturing software solutions capabilities PDF.

IFS has more than 2,000 customers in more than 50 countries in sevenmain industries: aerospace & defense, utilities & telecom,manufacturing, process industries, automotive, retail & wholesaledistribution, and construction contracting & service management.IFS has 2,700 employees and net revenue in 2008 was $383 million.

In other recent IFS news in MBT, " New solution tracks carbon footprint throughout the product lifecycle ."

Also IFS reports that software upgrades are a leading economic indicator for a coming economic recovery, reporting that more than 25 percent of IFS customers are "in an upgrade process, in the formal planning process necessary to ensure a quality upgrade, or have upgraded within the last year."

Infor and Golden Gate Capital buy SoftBrands

SoftBrands is now an Infor company .

Infor and Golden Gate Capital completed the acquisition of SoftBrands, a leading provider of software solutions for businesses in the manufacturing and hospitality industries.

This transaction provides more product options and flexibility for SoftBrands and Infor customers, the companies say. Manufacturing customers will have access to a broader array of enterprise solutions that improve efficiency and provide significant return on investment (ROI). Additionally, SoftBrands’ Central Reservation and Property Management solutions, used by leading hotels around the world, complement Infor’s Financial Management, Performance Management, Customer Relationship Management, and Workforce Management solutions run by many of the world’s leading hotels and casinos-offering a complete suite of business software for companies in the hospitality industry, the company statement said.

Infor says it acquires and develops functionally rich software backed by thousands of domain experts and then makes it better through continuous innovation, faster implementations, global enablement, and flexible buying options.

In July, Infor noted that its SCM software reduces labor costs up to 30 percent .

Golden Gate Capital says it is a San Francisco-based private equity investment firm with approximately $8 billion of capital under management.

More about ERP integration

For additional MBT intelligence about integration of ERP companies and systems, also read:
– ERP integration: EAM plays leads role in enterprise vendor, user group agendas ;
– One-to-One: Oracle Integrates Agile into the ERP Ecosystem (yes, SAP’s ecosystem too!) ;
– Siemens bets ERP/PLM integration will continue apace ; and
– ERP enters age of infrastructure .

– Edited by Mark T. Hoske, electronic products editor, MBT www.mbtmag.com

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