Proposed for portfolio
BCE Emergis (IFM.M)
emergis.com
Mpact Immedia merged with Bell Emergis last Aug98, renamed BCE Emergis.
BCE bought 65% of IFM, later injected 50M$ for another 3% for a total of 68%.
78Million shares outstanding, '20 million Public Float'.
'98 revenue for merged results (Dec98)was 75M$, '99 estimated rev is 150M$ 'without' acquisitions or e-bill
Main revenue is from EDI, main competitor would be SE
5th largest e-com after: GElS, IBM, Harbinger,and Sterling; IFM's goal is to be within top3.
Acquisition of Newstar e-financial last Nov98, having association with Transpoint, was selected by e-route for Canadian e-bill. e-route is a consortium of 4 national banks + other regionals+ trusts. Until this deal IFM had small account with Royal Bank. Now they are with 60% plus Canadian banking. Revenues will start in yr2000 as full production starts in Jan2000.
1st certified for Automotive Network Exchange (ANX)
BCE Emergis partners with Freddie Mac in the U.S. on On-Line Mortgage Explorer (OME) multi-lender Web site.
From a recent Bus Mag: words from CEO and various VP's, can see full story Message 8316752
"BCE Emergis markets its expertise to governments and businesses, not consumers directly. The company's offerings come in four main product lines: network services; security; payments; and e-commerce services. The technologies come packaged in a series of products that enable companies to create an account and enter the whole payment side of the electronic world."
"The company develops, hosts and manages specific applications for six vertical sectors: financial; mortgage; automotive; sports and leisure; merchant-enabling; and BCE companies and telecommunications."
Following is IMO:
The most important thing is to watch what BCE is doing to understand how IFM will benefit and grow. IFM was unknown until BCE merger last Aug, but brokerages did not catch on until last Xmas. The BCE name tag has given IFM credibility.
CEO of BCE is on a crusade for e-com and internet. Wants a national braudband internet then turn south. Has been acquiring other telco's across Canada. Recent 20% sold to Ameritech, now has 5.1 billion to spend.
BCE is a holding Co for Bell Can, Northern Tel, Teleglobe, Nexxia(high speed internet) Bell Mobility, Tele-Media…etc… all billion $ Co.s. BUT, BCE Emergis is not part of the pot which Ameritech purchased. BCE kept this for itself--wonder why?? Jean Monty(CEO) is pushing e-com and internet for necessity as telco margins are diminishing. He wants IFM to be a billion$ Co. I expect a good US acquisition is coming, similar to Nortel->BayNet, Teleglobe->Excel . Jean Monty plus a couple of other acquisition experts have recently joined IFM's board.-very important. I'm convinced they will rapidly grow BCE Emergis , this is their future. |
