Acquisition announcement. Any comments?
Thursday April 27, 1:23 pm Eastern Time
Company Press Release
Geac Acquires Gazette Technologies
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 27, 2000--Geac Computer Corporation Limited (TSE:GAC. - news)
Publishing Division Expands Market Share and Product Line-Up
Geac Computer Corporation Limited (TSE:GAC. - news) announced today that it has acquired the assets of the Gazette Technologies unit from Gazette Communications, Inc. - a U.S. based, private media organization.
Gazette Technologies develops, markets and supports a fully developed, highly sophisticated, media specific data warehousing suite of software sold under the trade name MarketInfo. MarketInfo is an Oracle© based client server decision support product that is used by newspapers to identify, manage, analyze and report on information related to individuals, households and businesses that make up a given newspaper marketplace.
MarketInfo helps newspapers make better decisions in the areas of circulation, advertising sales, general business management and the newsroom. MarketInfo software also enables newspapers to provide advertisers with list marketing and related direct marketing services, creating a new revenue source for the newspapers. Gazette Technologies' customers include the Orlando Sentinel, the Dallas Morning News, the Miami Herald and the Knight-Ridder group.
Gazette Technologies will be immediately integrated into Geac's Publishing Systems division.
``Integrating Gazette Technologies' MarketInfo product will allow us to provide a powerful revenue enhancing solution to publishers,'' said Bernard Grinberg, President of Geac Publishing Systems. ``MarketInfo is a perfect accompaniment to our current solutions base of editorial, circulation, distribution and advertising software, rounding out our offerings for a total publishing solution.''
Chuck Peters, Chief Operating Officer of Gazette Communications, Inc., added, ``Geac's leadership position in the newspaper technology marketplace together with their international distribution channels will now open up new and exciting opportunities for MarketInfo.''
Douglas Bergeron, Geac's President and CEO concluded, ``Acquiring Gazette Technologies adds to the comprehensive, sole-source growth strategy of Geac Publishing Systems. It increases our market share, while providing us with the distribution synergies to leverage and greatly enhance sales.''
About Geac Publishing Systems
Geac Publishing Systems is the leading supplier of business and publishing software solutions to the news gathering and distribution industry. The Company is the industry's only single source supplier that offers solutions for pre-press, business and distribution. Geac products use a coherent, third generation, platform strategy that enables sharing divergent data types across wider segments of the publishing enterprise, as well as multiple use of content. The Company also offers extensive services including data conversion, system integration, training, custom programming and consulting. A member of the Microsoft Certified Solutions Provider Program at the Partner level, Geac Publishing Systems' new generation of client/server applications leverage its industry experience with the power of the Microsoft BackOffice.
About Geac Computer Corporation Limited
Geac Computer Corporation Limited (Toronto Stock Exchange Symbol:GAC - news) is a provider of mission critical software and systems solutions to corporations around the world. Geac solutions include cross-industry enterprise business applications for financial administration and human resources functions, and enterprise resource planning applications for manufacturing, distribution, and supply chain management. Geac provides several industry-specific mission critical business applications to the hospitality, property, banking and publishing marketplaces, as well as a wide range of applications for libraries and public safety administration. Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Geac ranks as one of the world's largest software companies.
About Gazette Communications, Inc.
Gazette Communications, Inc. is a media company located in Cedar Rapids, Iowa which publishes the Gazette newspaper, The Iowan magazine, Iowa Commerce magazine, Iowa Farmer Today, local shoppers, and does commercial printing. Gazette Communications, Inc. has numerous sites on-line, audiotex services and direct marketing services. In addition, its affiliates include KCRG television and radio as well as two software development firms - Decisionmark and Gazette Technologies. Find out more about Gazette Communications, Inc. and its publications at www.Iowa.com.
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