Softech August 2016

August 2016

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Why Contact Centres are Naturally Suited to “Bimodal IT”

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Contactless Payment with Swatch OT (Oberthur Technologies), a leading global provider of embedded security software products and services, announces a key partnership with Swatch, the renowned Swiss watchmaker and one of the world’s most popular brands, to provide contactless payment to customers in Switzerland.

Plus: All the Latest News and Deals from the Soft Tech Industry Soft Tech INTL / August 2016

Welcome to the latest issue of Soft Tech Magazine.

Innovation, experimentation and dedication are all the name of the game in this latest issue, as we profile the firms and their latest creations which are changing the way the global corporate market operates.

These include the launch of the next generation of carrier ethernet access devices, which come complete with software-enabled scalability.

Alongside this we showcase the latest developments in Advanced’s software solutions, which have enabled Solihull College & University Centre to drastically improve its data quality.

Thomas Rødseth, VP of Product and Marketing at Intelecom explains why contact centres are naturally suited to “bimodal IT” and how this can be used to their advantage.

Telsis and Cirpack have forged a new partnership to offer network operators significant service intelligence improvements to their core network solutions.

We hope you enjoy this issue.

Contents 4. News 10. Cafcass to Achieve Faster Real-Time Budgeting with Advanced’s SaaS Finance Software 12. Why Contact Centres are Naturally Suited to “Bimodal IT” 14. OT Enables Contactless Payment with Swatch in Switzerland 16. Mace Group Selects Inoapps as Global Implementation Partner for Oracle Cloud Applications 18. MRV Launches its Next Generation of Carrier Ethernet Access Devices with Software-Enabled Scalability 20. Solihull College & University Centre Improves Data Quality with Advanced Solutions 22. Telsis and Cirpack Forge Technology Partnership to Deliver Industry Leading Network Intelligence Solutions for Telecoms Network Operators 26. Deals

Soft Tech INTL / August 2016

News

INTELECOM EXTENDS WEB CHAT FUNCTIONALITY IN THE LATEST RELEASE OF ITS CLOUD-BASED CONTACT CENTRE SOLUTION Intelecom Group AS has announced the latest release of its multi-channel cloud-based contact centre which includes structured instant messaging capability for Web Chat. This latest enhancement continues the company’s investment in real-time interactions for next generation customer service.

The inclusion of structure Chat Messages means that Intelecom users can give Chatters one or more alternatives when it comes to the confirmation of a conversation. The options are presented as a menu in the dialog to provide more commitment and clearer feedback when confirming transactions than a simple text-based yes, no, maybe or OK. This feature is also available for mobile usage where a concise way of communication is particularly valuable.

solution saves agents’ time switching between applications and helps to provide an improved customer experience.

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Thomas Rødseth, VP of Product and Marketing at Intelecom commented, “We are constantly working to help our customers create the best possible solutions for customer service. The inclusion of structured Chat messages in Web Chat conversations follows the recent addition of WebRTC softphone capabilities into Intelecom as part of the company’s strategy to improve real-time interactions using its cloud-based contact centre solution. Meanwhile, the latest integration to Oracle’s Siebel CRM and launch of our predictive dialer help to simplify the daily lives of agents and improve productivity.”

Outbound Predictive Dialer – replacing the existing automatic dialer within Intelecom, the latest release includes a predictive dialer which takes into account the average number of calls answered, the amount of time to answer and the length of calls in order to reduce agent waiting time and increase productivity.

With nearly two decades of experience in the provision of cloudbased contact centres, Intelecom was positioned as ‘Challenger’ in the Gartner 2015 Magic Quadrant for Contact Centre as a Service, Western Europe.

Intelecom is a leading provider of cloud-based contact centre solutions. With approaching two decades of experience, Intelecom was one of the first to develop a cloud-based contact centre. Highly flexible and scalable, Intelecom can be adapted to accommodate one to several thousand concurrent agents using any device, in any location and integrates with multiple applications seamlessly.

Other highlights of the latest version of Intelecom include: • Standard Integration to Oracle’s Siebel CRM – continuing Intelecom’s focus on standardized integrations with leading customer relationship management (CRM) solutions such as Salesforce.com, Microsoft Dynamics and Unified Service Desk for Microsoft Dynamics CRM, the latest release includes standard integration with Oracle’s Siebel CRM. Integration between an organisation’s CRM and contact centre

Intelecom is one of the few contact centre solutions that is completely multi-channel. Intelecom agents can respond to Phone, Email, Chat, Social Media and SMS enquiries all within the one application.

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IGEL TECHNOLOGY ENHANCES THE FUNCTIONALITY OF SOFTWARE AND HARDWARE THIN CLIENTS New update supports mobile broadband connectivity, management of up to four displays through the IGEL Universal Desktop Converter (UDC), and expands multimedia capabilities IGEL Technology, a world leader in the delivery of powerful workspace management software, software-defined thin clients, and thin and zero client solutions, has announced that it has enhanced the functionality of its Linux-based software and hardware thin clients with a update that supports mobile broadband connectivity and multi-display management, and expands multimedia capabilities.

“At IGEL Technology, we are always looking for ways to add new features and functionality that enhance the desktop computing experience for end-users, and make it easier for IT organizations to manage workspaces across the enterprise,” said Simon Richards, IGEL Managing Director for the UK & Ireland. “With the new high-performance computing and advanced multimedia capabilities now available through our latest Linux update, we are ensuring that our Linux-based software and hardware thin clients meet the requirements of our end-user customers today, and well into the future.”

Some of the new features and functionality now available with IGEL’s Linux-based software and hardware thin clients, include: • Mobile Broadband Connectivity. Customer demand for the ability to connect IGEL thin clients to centralized IT infrastructure via a mobile broadband connection, instead of the traditional Ethernet network, drove the integration of a 4G wireless card. Now, end-users can simply and securely connect their IGEL software and hardware thin clients using a Huawei E3531 HSPA+ mobile broadband USB drive, which can be purchased separately.

• Multi-Display Management. Many users within vertical markets, including financial services and healthcare, are increasing their reliance on multiple desktop displays. To meet this growing customer demand for multi-display support, IGEL has integrated a Radeon R7 250 Eyefinity 4 graphics card into its Universal Desktop Converter (UDC 2) software. Now, up to four displays can be conveniently managed through the IGEL Universal Management Suite 5 (UMS 5) software.

COUPA INTEGRATOR FOR SAP An innovative new product enabling integration between Coupa and SAP. ExceleratedS2P, the global provider of solutions in Sourceto-Pay, has announced the launch of a unique product to facilitate the integration of Coupa and SAP. The Coupa Integrator for SAP is a pre-built software package that creates a seamless link between the two applications, meaning that organisations can achieve the benefits of full integration more quickly, effectively and affordably than ever before.

Launched to coincide with Coupa Inspire 2016 in San Francisco, ExceleratedS2P has launched this new Coupa Integrator designed to eliminate manual data transfer processes, and reduce the complexity and cost of integrating Coupa with SAP. The Coupa Integrator gives all organisations the opportunity to experience a fully integrated procurement to payment solution, without the need for a significant software development project.

“ExceleratedS2P is excited to have developed and launched a comprehensive adapter to integrate Coupa with customers’ SAP ECC environments. The adapter will reduce the cost and time for an organisation to complete the integration and has received a great feedback from the Coupa Integration team and will provide the customer with comprehensive and ready to run process flows”, says Ramesh Varsani, Director of ExceleratedS2P. Coupa Integrator for SAP offers seamless data exchange between Coupa and SAP, rapid deployment as well as affordable integration. This adapter enables transaction processing and data handling, ensuring the correct flow of transactional and master data. All these benefits together with the reassure that the installation and set-up will be implemented by our expert consultants in SAP and Coupa makes this adapter a unique product for companies that wish to integrate Coupa with SAP. ExceleratedS2P has broad expertise in procurement transformation and adoption. Our dedicated team of sourcing and procurement professionals understand the complexities of both Coupa and SAP, and we can help organisations to experience the full potential of both solutions.

• Expanded Multimedia Capabilities. Due to the growing use of HTML5 programming languages to develop websites, IGEL has added an optional multimedia codec pack that includes the latest version of the AAC audio code to ensure quick and easy playback of HTML5-based YouTube videos in MP4 format.

The new update also includes a trial of IGEL’s HDX 3D Pro hardware acceleration software. Designed for high-performance workstations operating within Citrix environments, HDX 3D Pro can easily be managed via the IGEL UMS.

Soft Tech INTL / August 2016

News

MATS LOW-CODE PLATFORM NAMED A STRONG PERFORMER

BY INDEPENDENT RESEARCH FIRM New report on the Low-code development platform market includes MATS Low-code as one of the 14 most significant solutions.

MatsSoft has been named a Strong Performer by independent research firm Forrester. The Forrester Wave™: Low-Code Development Platforms, Q2 2016, published this month, hones in on the key vendors that ‘matter the most’ and “enable rapid delivery of business applications with a minimum of hand-coding and minimal upfront investment in setup, training, and deployment.”

“The platform offers strong process modeling and automation capabilities,” the report continues. “The MATS Platform’s form and user interface design features help developers quickly build responsive user experiences that automatically resize across different web and mobile devices and resolutions.”

Commenting on the report Martin said, “Users of Low-code benefit from overcoming growing queues for limited IT resources. With Low-code, almost anyone can create viable software solutions with minimal training, helping accelerate innovation and process improvements.”

“We’re very proud of our inclusion in this report, which Forrester says includes the 14 most significant providers of Low-code development platforms; but also to have been rated as a Strong Performer, based on an in-depth assessment of our current offering, strategy and market presence,” said Martin Scovell, MatsSoft CEO. “This puts us in a fantastic position to take advantage of rapid growth in the Low-code market and help even more customers innovate and improve processes at higher speed and lower risk.”

When Forrester published its previous report on the Low-code market in January 2016, Vendor Landscape: The Fractured, Fertile Terrain of Low-Code Application Platform, it identified 42 vendors with varying capabilities and strengths. This latest report whittles that list down to 14 which the analyst firm views as the most significant Low-code development platform providers.

Forrester observes that MatsSoft’s MATS Low-code development platform targets teams that prioritize rapid experimentation; “Digital teams use the MATS Platform’s rapid design features to build and test new ideas and quickly move new ideas from testing into production.”

In this same January 2016 vendor landscape report, Forrester projected the Low-code market will grow by from an estimated $1.7 billion in 2015 to over $15 billion in 2020. “The fast pace of expansion in this emerging market will likely see vendor positions change rapidly. As a significant vendor in this space, MatsSoft is poised to achieve major business growth over the coming years,” asserts Martin.

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SIMON PAYNE APPOINTED MANAGING DIRECTOR OF CAPITA COLLABORATION TECHNOLOGIES Capita Collaboration Technologies has appointed Simon Payne as managing director.

Simon has more than 20 years’ senior directorship and board experience, leading large organisations within the ICT industry in the UK, USA and Australasia. He has a strong focus on developing product strategies, as well as growing businesses organically and through acquisition.

Simon was previously managing director of Daisy Corporate Services, part of Daisy Group, and Damovo UK. He replaces Martin Jakobsen, who has moved to a new role within Capita, managing network and security specialist NTS. Capita Collaboration Technologies, part of Capita IT Enterprise Services, supports and manages more than 35,000 contact centre agents, 70,000 telephony users and 155,000 end-points for our clients across the UK. Simon said: “Technology trends such as cloud, mobility, big data and the Internet of Things are driving the need for digital transformation, helping organisations to achieve efficiencies, increase productivity and improve customer experiences.

“I believe Capita Collaboration Technologies is well positioned to help organisations address and exploit these trends. I’m extremely pleased to have this opportunity to strengthen and grow its position as a market leading provider of communication and collaboration solutions.”

EKINOPS’ NEW FLEXIBLE RATE MODULE OFFERS 400G CAPACITY Improved Coherent Solution Cuts Cost in Half.

Ekinops, a leading supplier of next-generation optical network equipment, is introducing a new flexible rate transponder/ muxponder line which allows network operators to quickly and easily double their transport capacity.

Using an advanced digital signal processor (DSP) combined with Ekinops’ enhanced T-Chip (Transport-on-a-Chip) technology to support both DP-QPSK and 16QAM modulation formats on a single line card, Ekinops is able to deliver a lowcost, programmable 400G solution.

With this capability, operators can double the capacity of any span through a simple software upgrade from a remote network operation center without having to remove or replace hardware, while at the same time cutting their cost per transported bit in half.

This level of programmability allows the same module to be used for any transport application from metro to ultra-longhaul. In 16QAM mode, the module supports distances of up to 1,000 kilometers, while in DP-QPSK mode the module reaches up to 10,000 kilometers.

Operators also benefit from the ability to spare a single module for multiple applications, helping to keep their operational costs low. With multiprotocol support for 10, 40, and 100 GigE as well as 8G, 10G and 16G Fibre Channel, OC-192, STM-64, OTU2 and OTU2e in any combination up to the full line rate, the equipment provides the same client service flexibility as it does on the line side.

“400G is a top priority for network operators and we are seeing more and more demand for flexible rate functionality,” said François Xavier Ollivier, COO at Ekinops. “Network operators need a faster and easier way to increase bandwidth without increasing network costs, especially on their highest capacity routes.

“The problem for many operators is that some of these routes are long-haul while others are metro, which typically requires having multiple line cards on hand and in inventory. The ability to double the line rate in minutes without having to dispatch a technician provides a compelling value proposition.”

Soft Tech INTL / August 2016

News

TRIPWIRE ANNOUNCES CYBER SECURITY SOLUTION FOR INDUSTRIAL AUTOMATION Tripwire provides unified visibility for networks, endpoints and controllers in manufacturing environments.

Tripwire, Inc., a leading global provider of endpoint detection and response, security, compliance and IT operations solutions, has announced that Tripwire® Configuration Compliance Manager (CCM) now supports ANSI / ISA-62443, a global standard for securing industrial automation systems, controllers, and associated networking equipment configurations. Tripwire CCM can now reduce cyber security risks from external attacks, malicious insiders and human error while protecting critical infrastructure reliability, uptime and safety of industrial automation and manufacturing environments.

Without awareness of communication and activity of each segment in an OT environment, evaluating risks and security of assets becomes increasingly difficult. Operations and security staff must be able to define and verify baseline behavior to assess and detect possible anomalies, and then decide a response.

Tripwire CCM allows engineers and cyber security personnel to audit industrial automation networks and controllers for secure and approved configurations. It also identifies unauthorized changes, configuration hardening errors and security vulnerabilities and provides prioritized remediation guidance to reduce risks without affecting operational availability, reliability or safety. Tripwire CCM can be layered on top of a standard implementation of FactoryTalk® AssetCentre from Rockwell Automation for greater visibility into industrial automation applications.

“By extending our CCM solution we can now address the unique cyber security challenges associated with demanding operational technology (OT) environments,” said Rekha Shenoy, vice president and general manager of industrial cyber security for Belden, Tripwire’s parent company. “With this offering, we are able to assess and monitor changes that can indicate a cyber attack without connecting to or communicating with PLC or control devices. Tripwire CCM maximizes uptime while improving security.”

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CAFCASS TO ACHIEVE FASTER REAL-TIME BUDGETING WITH ADVANCED’S SAAS FINANCE SOFTWARE Cafcass (The Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service) will go live in August with Advanced’s cloud-hosted budgeting and forecasting solution Collaborative Planning, to empower budget holders with real-time access to finance information from anywhere.

The organisation will implement the solution, alongside Advanced Cloud Invoicing, as a Software-as-a-Service model hosted in the Amazon Web Services.

Brown adds, “We have an established strategy of moving towards cloud-based solutions and a SaaS infrastructure, as a cost-effective and efficient model. A lot of our staff work on the move and remotely, so the ability to access information from anywhere is absolutely vital and will support our staff who work in the field – especially our frontline social workers.

The roll-out of Collaborative Planning and Advanced Cloud Invoicing follows the successful deployment of Advanced’s e5 financial management system with document management technology (powered by V1) earlier this year.

“Using hosted solutions will support future-proof access to our finance system and offers the potential to move to new working practices, for example if we chose to follow a Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) policy.”

Cafcass is an arm’s-length body in England which provides support and advice in family court cases involving children and young people. The organisation employs around 1,700 staff across 42 offices in England and is the largest social work employer in the country.

Since January 2016 the organisation’s finance and administration staff have been using e5 to manage purchase to payment processes and general ledger from which monthly and annual forecasts and reports are produced. Around 7,000 invoices per year are electronically scanned using V1 document management software. The implementation involved a complex migration of seven years’ worth of general ledger and accounts payable data.

Advanced was selected from a shortlist of four software providers via the Crown Commercial Services procurement framework. Collaborative Planning will be used to manage a budget of £114 million and will provide around 50 budget holders with real-time access to financial information. This will dramatically reduce the amount of time and resources required to produce financial reports and forecasts.

e5 also imports data from Cafcass’ payroll system and the organisation is looking to integrate Collaborative Planning with e5 by creating an application programme interface (API) which will upload information from one system to the other.

Julie Brown, Director of Resources at Cafcass, says, “The implementation of Collaborative Planning will be a huge benefit to us. Like a lot of organisations we spend too much time trying to create reports for budget holders; Collaborative Planning will put the power in the budget holders’ hands and give them direct access to real-time information at the click of a button.”

Brown adds, “Like all public bodies we face funding pressures, and Advanced’s software will help us to operate efficiently within our budget while meeting rising demand for our services and continuing to support children in need of our help.”

Advanced Cloud Invoicing will automatically process invoices without any human intervention required, further speeding up accounting processes. All of Advanced’s solutions are being hosted in the cloud in line with Cafcass’ strategy of deploying applications off-premise.

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WHY CONTACT CENTRES ARE NATURALLY SUITED TO “BIMODAL IT” Thomas Rødseth, VP of Product and Marketing at Intelecom explains why contact centres are naturally suited to the evolving world of “bimodal IT”.

Global industry analyst Gartner has a model to help organisations respond to the proliferating demands of IT, a model it termed “bimodal IT”. This effectively is the combination of old-style and modern IT practices whereby mode one is technology driven and mode two is business driven, it is an approach that is appreciated by today’s return-on-investment focused and tech-savvy CIOs. The successful application of bimodal IT appears to be fuelled by the exponential growth of cloud-computing.

According to the Cloud Industry Forum[ii], latest research indicates that “69% of organisations (in the UK) have formally adopted at least one cloud-based service within their business, and satisfaction with the use of cloud solutions remains high”.

The adoption of cloud-based contact centres is a classic example. They combine the proven benefits of a traditional on-premise solution with the increased flexibility, scalability and reliability of the latest cloud-based solutions. Add to this true multichannel capability in a single application and a cost-effective pay-as-you-go pricing model and it’s clear that deploying a cloud-based contact centre really is the way to go.

Cloud contact centres are the epitomy of bimodal IT By their very nature, cloud contact centres epitomise bimodal IT. They combine stability and agility all in one step by offering: • Flexibility, scalability and business agility - will your business grow or will it suffer from an economic downturn? Are there plans to expand overseas? Will seasonal peaks and troughs like the summer holidays or Christmas affect call volumes with a knock-on effect on staffing levels? The latest cloud-based solutions help contact centre managers tackle the challenges of fluctuating business requirements and call volumes head on.

• Control over administration and customisation – the days of a large IT department on call 24 hours a day are over. Using a simple Internet connection and web browser, ongoing maintenance, upgrades and software roll-outs can be administered in the cloud.

Furthermore, the inherent flexibility of the cloud makes it easy for organisations to configure and customise their contact centre solution themselves.

• Absolute independency for resilience and service organisations need no longer worry about bad weather affecting telephone lines or machinery accidentally

ploughing through cables because everything is virtual, data is stored centrally, in the cloud. Location independent, agents can log onto the system at any time and from any location using their own devices.

• Integration for improved business processes - cloud capabilities and web services automate business processes and integrate them seamlessly with chosen business applications to save time and manual effort.

Extracting pertinent customer information in real-time from the company’s CRM system empowers agents to hold meaningful interactions that boost customer confidence and promote next generation customer service.

• Stepping up to social support - social media is big business and getting it right enhances brand awareness, protects corporate reputation and ultimately leads to commercial success. With the latest cloud-based solutions, social media capability is built in rather than bolted on. They can detect the exact source of an enquiry meaning agents can confidently respond to telephone, email, Chat, social media and SMS enquiries all within the same application.

• Lower Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) - the majority of users choose to retain their original handsets and equipment making the evolution to a cloud infrastructure an effortless affair. They simply turn the old system off and commence the new cloud service on the very same day using the same legacy hardware, thereby retaining any original investment in equipment.

Case Study: Loopia leads the way There’s nothing like real-world case studies to inspire confidence in new approaches to technology. Take the example of Loopia, Sweden’s leading domain and web hosting provider. Loopia relies on an Intelecom cloudbased contact centre technology to handle around 350,000 enquiries every year – by telephone, SMS, Chat, Email and Social Media. There is no upfront investment in hardware making the operation lean, mean and cost-effective for both Loopia and its 250,000 customers. Taking advantage of the latest reporting capabilities, Loopia actively monitors its performance and adjusts operations accordingly. The company’s SuperSupport technical helpline is reputedly the best in Sweden offering 24/7 multi-language support all year around from offices in four countries. Loopia is living proof that combining stability and agility using cloud technology and leveraging the bimodal IT approach in today’s contact centres is the way to go.

Soft Tech INTL / August 2016

OT ENABLES CONTACTLESS PAYMENT WITH SWATCH IN SWITZERLAND OT (Oberthur Technologies), a leading global provider of embedded security software products and services, announces a key partnership with Swatch, the renowned Swiss watchmaker and one of the world’s most popular brands, to provide contactless payment to customers in Switzerland.

They will be able to pay with speed, security and convenience, just waving their stylish Swatch Bellamy watch close to on contactless terminals - a great way to shop and save time.

Carlo Giordanetti, Creative Director, Swatch International, declared: “We are happy with the cooperation with the OT team in the Swatch Bellamy project. OT knows how to adapt its portfolio of products and solutions to the latest trends and it is the ideal partner to offer this innovative watch. We look forward to developing this relationship further, and to presenting Swatch Bellamy in more countries.”

As contactless POS terminals are now widespread in all kinds of locations (convenience stores, Quick Service Restaurants, vending machines, car parks, etc.), using such a wearable to pay becomes easy and really convenient for everyday purchases. Combining payment convenience with the style of a Swatch watch really enhances customers’ everyday experience.

“We are delighted to team up with OT and Swatch to provide a payment-enriched version of this emblematic Swiss time keeper to our customers. The Swatch Bellamy is an innovative and fashionable alternative to traditional payment cards. Due to the prepaid functionality, the funds can be easily loaded without any need of a bank account” said Alessandro Seralvo, Director Cornèrcard. OT is a world leader in embedded digital security that protects you when you connect, authenticate or pay.

OT’s FlyBuySE (Secure Element) is fully integrated within Swatch Bellamy watches and provides a high level of security while enabling seamless payments and transactions. OT’s latest portfolio covers a broad range of payment networks and applications (such as payment, security access, transport, etc) and can be embedded in many different types of wearables. With this partnership between Swatch and OT, Swatch Bellamy holders can perform fast contactless transactions with an innovative alternative to cash. Their watch remains as stylish as before, while embedding the latest payment technologies.

The company is strategically positioned in high growth markets and offers embedded security software solutions for “end-point” devices as well as associated remote management solutions to a huge portfolio of international clients, including banks and financial institutions, mobile operators, authorities and governments, as well as manufacturers of connected objects and equipment.

“At OT, we are delighted to work with such a renowned brand as Swatch to launch this innovative product. As contactless payment becomes widespread from an acceptance point of view, more end-users will be looking for such stylish wearables enabling them to pay in a quick, secure and convenient way” said Eric Duforest, Managing Director of the Financial Services Institutions business at OT.

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MACE GROUP SELECTS INOAPPS AS GLOBAL IMPLEMENTATION PARTNER FOR ORACLE CLOUD APPLICATIONS International consultancy and construction company, Mace has chosen Oracle Enterprise Resource Planning Cloud including Oracle Procurement Cloud and Oracle Project Portfolio Management Cloud, and Oracle Human Capital Management Cloud applications.

The fully integrated solution will be implemented globally across 30 countries by Inoapps (www.inoapps.com), a Platinum level member of Oracle PartnerNetwork (OPN).

Headquartered in the UK, Mace offers integrated services across the full property and infrastructure life cycle across the globe, with experts in programme and project management, construction delivery, cost consultancy and facilities management.

Commenting on the news, Dennis Hone, Group Finance Director at Mace said, “We pride ourselves on an agile culture that puts our clients first and ensures the highest levels of quality in all that we do. We have chosen Oracle’s cloud applications as they represent modern best-practice.

It also allows us to utilise multiple integrated applications consistently across the globe. We are confident that this new solution will deliver a number of key benefits and drive commercial efficiency and we look forward to working closely with our chosen implementation partner Inoapps as they roll out the applications across all our offices.”

sole international implementation partner. We look forward to working closely with them on the roll out.”

Mace is an international consultancy and construction company employing over 4,600 people, across five continents with a turnover of £1.49bn. Mace’s business is programme and project management, cost consultancy, construction delivery and facilities management and is truly multi-disciplinary with services spanning the entire property and infrastructure lifecycle.

Mace has three strategic sectors serving clients in the private, public and infrastructure sectors and five strategic hubs in Europe, Middle East & North Africa, the Americas, Asia Pacific and Sub-Sahara Africa that service over 70 countries.

Inoapps CEO, Andy Bird, welcomed Mr. Hone’s comments adding, “Mace has built its excellent reputation by offering a full range of high quality expertise, coupled with an unwavering dedication to its customers and finding a better way.

Organisations around the world are increasingly turning to Oracle’s Cloud Applications for the most complete breadth and depth of functionality needed to scale and support their growth. Oracle’s tightly integrated cloud applications will support Mace in maintaining these standards globally and we are delighted that they have chosen Inoapps as their

Soft Tech INTL / August 2016

MRV LAUNCHES ITS NEXT GENERATION OF CARRIER ETHERNET ACCESS DEVICES WITH SOFTWARE-ENABLED SCALABILITY MRV Communications™, Inc. a provider of innovative network solutions for service providers, data center operators and enterprises, has announced the launch of the OptiSwitch® OS-V Series, its next generation portfolio of modular and compact, MEF CE 2.0 Certified 1GbE and 10GbE Carrier Ethernet access devices.

MRV’s OS-V series is distinguished by its industry-leading scalability and versatility, plus its high-performing architecture, which is delivered in two platforms; the OS-V8 fixed configuration platform and the OS-V20 modular platform, which has two expansion slots engineered to support a wide range of enhanced applications.

MRV’s OS-V series is powered by the field-proven Master-OS™ Linux-based operating system and is fully integrated into MRV’s advanced Pro-Vision® service orchestration and management software. OS-V devices can be deployed in either a complete end-to-end solution, including OS-V Series access devices, OptiSwitch 9000 metro aggregation switches, and OptiPacket® (OP-X) metro service edge platforms, or as independent network devices within a larger, heterogeneous network.

As service providers expand their networks to support mobile backhaul, high-bandwidth business services, and undergo migrations to cloud-based applications, the need for an open, flexible and scalable solution, with a high-capacity and programmable access device, is essential. The MEF CE 2.0 Certified, next generation OptiSwitch® OS-V series delivers a platform for SDN and NFV applications and reduces time-to-market for new carrier-class SLAbased services. Additionally, the solution enables an easy software-based migration from 1GbE to 10GbE services, thereby eliminating the need for forklift upgrades.

“Increases in mobile traffic and the need to access cloud services are driving communications service providers (CSPs) to look for ways to swiftly and economically deploy scalable and efficient bandwidth solutions,” commented Adam Scheer, Senior Vice President of Product Management and Corporate Development for MRV. “MRV’s OptiSwitch® OS-V solution addresses the market demand for scalable 1GE to 10GE platforms, thereby enabling service providers to offer competitively priced, high performance access services at these speeds. We are proud of our development and believe that this next generation platform will enable our customers to not only meet current demands, but also address network requirements well into the future.”

“Service provider networks are evolving to fit the growing requirements for service agility, high capacity, and scalability,” stated Michael Howard, Senior Research Director and Advisor for IHS-Infonetics. “As data traffic increases and demands for automation and agility rise, we see a strong market need for programmable network products that support flexible and easily managed networks, involving virtualized platforms and network functions using SDN and NFV technologies.”

“The MEF congratulates MRV for achieving CE 2.0 certification of its new 1GE and 10GE CPE platforms that have proven capable of supporting the full suite of CE 2.0 E-Line, E-LAN, E-Tree, and E-Access services,” said Nan Chen, President of the MEF. “Through rigorous testing, MRV has demonstrated that its devices meet the industry’s highest global standard for Carrier Ethernet performance.”

The OS-V series supports a variety of applications including bandwidth-intensive business Ethernet services, 4G/LTE mobile backhaul, on-demand access to cloudbased applications, and E-Access service with scalable flow aggregation. To enable service providers to optimize their bandwidth resources, the OS-V provides advanced traffic management capabilities, such as highly scalable, micro-flow monitoring to ensure SLA-based services.

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SOLIHULL COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CENTRE IMPROVES DATA QUALITY WITH ADVANCED SOLUTIONS Solihull College & University Centre has invested in the entire ‘pro’ suite of solutions from Advanced, to enhance data quality and drive efficiencies enabling the college to free up more teaching time.

Solihull College & University Centre is a large further education college in the West Midlands with 12,000 full and part-time students in further education, higher education and apprenticeships across two campuses.

The College has completed the ‘pro’ product suite after realising major efficiencies from the software provider’s solutions including Management Information System (MIS), ProSolution and student tracking and monitoring system, ProMonitor.

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Following the success, the organisation recently went live with ProResource, finance and curriculum planning solution, ProSAR, self-assessment reporting solution and ProObserve, lesson observation solution.

data entry processes and the need to cross-check multiple paper records. ProSolution has also removed the complexities involved in the planning and tracking of examinations.

The solutions have enabled the College to improve the quality of its student register, timetabling and assessment tracking, and will streamline the management of finances and improve course self-assessments and lesson observations.

Attendance data and Individual Learning Plans (ILPs) are automatically updated which have provided considerable time savings. The solutions’ advanced reporting capabilities also allow staff to run queries on individual students or whole courses in real-time to speed up action plans as a result of a classroom observation.

The additional solutions will enable financial plans to be closely monitored against targets in real-time by replacing spreadsheets. The software will also simplify the self-assessment of courses through the use of Ofsted criteria to centrally validate data, making it more effective and easier and for staff to complete.

Jo Haine, Information Systems Manager at Solihull College & University Centre, says, “We wanted a supplier who was as committed to investing in its solutions as we are to supporting our students. “

“

Advanced has a very strong reputation in the education sector and the intuitive functionality of their systems stood out. They provided excellent support throughout the tendering and implementation process and always respond rapidly to our needs.

The new solutions will enable us to better analyse income and expenditure and improve our apprenticeship modelling to support us in meeting our funding targets which is extremely important to sustain the College’s continued success.”

The web-based systems already in place provide teachers with fast and accurate information relating to timetables, registers and enrolments by reducing manual

Jo Haine comments, “Advanced’s systems have saved vast quantities of time and ensure we do not need to employ additional administrative support as the College continues to grow. We have gained enhanced levels of visibility and reliability of data relating to 5,000 registers which ensures teachers are paid on time as they can quickly mark all pupils in a timetabled class.

“Reducing paper-based processes has dramatically improved efficiency and reduced the risk of vital information disappearing into a black hole. Requests to change personal information or to withdraw and transfer students can be immediately made online by teaching staff and then actioned or rejected by MIS staff, without the need for re-keying.”

In total the College has ten solutions. MIS (ProSolution), student tracking and monitoring (ProMonitor), recording and analysis of lesson observations (ProObserve), financial and curriculum planning (ProResource), course self-assessments (ProSar), KPI dashboard reporting (ProMetrix), CRM (ProEngage), internal and external verification of college programmes (ProVerify), success, retention and achievement monitoring (ProAchieve) and ProPortal.

Soft Tech INTL / August 2016

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TELSIS AND CIRPACK FORGE TECHNOLOGY PARTNERSHIP TO DELIVER INDUSTRY LEADING NETWORK INTELLIGENCE SOLUTIONS FOR TELECOMS NETWORK OPERATORS Telsis, the leading provider of Network Intelligence solutions for network operators, has announced a technology and reseller partnership with Cirpack, a key player in the Cloud and a software company that provides IP Communication solutions for the use of corporates, telecommunications operators and service providers.

Working together, Telsis and Cirpack will be able to offer network operators significant service intelligence improvements to their core network solutions. Telsis will be able to offer Cirpack switches as a replacement to their own and Telsis customers will have access to highly innovative UCC (Unified Communication & Collaboration) solutions; this OTT like approach will allow Operators and Service Providers to protect their ARPU and differentiate in a highly competitive market.

In addition, Cirpack will be able to offer their switches into mixed switch environments and by combining with Telsis’ Network Intelligence software platform, will be able to deliver significantly increased service intelligence functionality to their customers such as fraud prevention and inbound call management solutions.

For the first time, joint customers will benefit from the industry’s most flexible and intelligent network infrastructure that can accommodate a range of existing services and has the flexibility to support future service requirements.

Telsis’ CEO, Richard Webb commented: “Cirpack are highly regarded by many of our customers and working with them will allow us to deliver far greater levels of service intelligence to their switches and other core network infrastructure. There’s a compelling synergy between our Network Intelligence-based software platform and Cirpack’s hardware switches and systems.”

Cirpack’s CEO, Patrick Bergougnou continues: “Cirpack are delighted to enter into partnership with Telsis.

We believe the combination of our technologies offers network operators around the world, the ability to benefit from innovative new services now and in the future. We’re excited that our global reseller network will be able to offer customers the additional service value that the Telsis offerings bring.”

Since 1987, Telsis has been partnering with major Network Operators around the world to help them drive value and achieve their business objectives. Our solutions deliver easy-to-use, engaging services to customers that drive revenues and create real competitive advantage.

Our innovative and high-value solutions are based on the Ocean Services Platform (OSP) that adds network intelligence to maximise the potential of every type of traditional and modern telephony network. For our customers, OSP is the brain in their networks and powers the Telsis range of secure solutions for Network Operators. These include Telsis developed services such as Nuisance Call Screening, Inbound Call Manager, Voice SafeGuard (fraud prevention) and Called Party Pays Services as well customer developed services.

Cirpack is a key editor of VoIP & Unified Communications software and operates a Telecom “Platform as a Service” worldwide in the Cloud.

For more than 17 years, Cirpack has been providing innovative solutions of Unified Communications, Core Network and Security for Telecom Operators and Service Providers to address both the home and residential markets.

Based in France, Germany, Mexico, Libanon, Tunisia and Vietnam, Cirpack’s products and services are sold through indirect, CAPEX and Cloud modes. More than 60 million end-users daily enjoy the benefits of Cirpack’s solutions and services through over 120 worldwide customers, such as SFR, Coriolis Telecom, OVH and EWE TEL.

Soft Tech INTL / August 2016

Deals SCAPA ACQUISITION OF EUROMED INC

SUSSEX STRATEGY GROUP ACQUIRES ADRENALINE DIGITAL

Scapa Group plc (“Scapa”) (AIM:SCPA), a leading global manufacturer of bonding products and adhesive components for applications in the healthcare and industrial markets, is pleased to announce that it has acquired the entire issued share capital of EuroMed, Inc (“EuroMed”), the hydrocolloid-based wound care solutions business based in Orangeburg, New York. The purchase price comprises an initial cash payment of USD$35 million and a contingent deferred payment of up to USD$7 million depending on performance in CY2016.

Sussex Strategy Group (“Sussex”), one of Canada’s premier government relations and strategic communications firms, announced today its acquisition of Adrenaline Digital (“Adrenaline”), a leading digital advocacy company in Toronto.

Established in 1998 with headquarters in Toronto and an office in Ottawa, Sussex provides private sector, association and non-profit clients with a range of services including government relations, corporate communications, crisis and issues management, advisory services, media relations, stakeholder engagement and digital advocacy. The acquisition marks a key step in the company’s long-term strategic plan to continue to lead innovation in advocacy tools and techniques.

As at 31 December 2015, the unaudited gross assets acquired were USD$7.4 million. Underlying adjusted EBITDA for the year ended 31 December 2015 was USD$2.5 million on sales of USD$18 million. The acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing in the first full year.

EuroMed specialises in developing and manufacturing hydrocolloid-based advanced and consumer wound care products, offering its partners a wide variety of solutions to meet chronic wound management, consumer wellness and health and beauty needs. EuroMed’s hydrocolloid-based products are manufactured in the company’s ISO certified, state-of-the-art class 8 Clean Room. EuroMed has developed and manufactures HydroSoft™, an ultra skin-friendly hydrocolloid fixation technology whose low-trauma removal is ideal for fragile skin applications.

“A key area of growth for Sussex is the ability to provide enhanced digital advocacy and engagement capabilities using the latest in analytic tools, micro-targeting technology and creative design”, said Brett James, a Principal at Sussex. “Adrenaline is a leader in the field and we’ve successfully partnered on several award-winning campaigns.” Together the firms have won five recent awards in Canada and the United States for two major advocacy campaigns in 2015. “The acquisition is a natural next step in our partnership,” added James. “Adrenaline’s expertise in this highly specialized field and our experience working together will help us take digital advocacy to the next level in Canada and beyond.”

Background to the Acquisition Scapa’s strategy in healthcare is to become the outsourcing partner of choice to our global healthcare customers by offering turn-key solutions in our chosen market sectors of advanced wound care, consumer wellness, medical devices and drug delivery. We believe that we are well positioned to benefit from the increasing trend towards outsourcing in the healthcare sector and to increase our share of our customers’ total spend.

Founded in 2014, Adrenaline has achieved significant growth every year since inception. Clients have included national and international businesses and organizations. Adrenaline’s main focus is on driving supporter growth and engagement for advocacy campaigns in the digital space. While active across all digital media, its core capability suite centers around identifying supporters for causes, turning those supporters into a movement and mobilizing that movement to change public opinion and influence public policy.

EuroMed’s innovative and patented technology positions it to provide customers with unique products across a wide range of applications. The addition of EuroMed expands Scapa’s customer base geographically and broadens the Group’s market accessibility in advanced wound care and consumer wellness through the enhanced technology offering of hydrocolloids and HydroSoft™.

“Digital and social are forcing organizations to re-think all aspects of their communications and marketing strategies. Companies are realizing that we need to move beyond just the marketing department in order to foster long-term relationships with customers and supporters. We want to be at the core of that change” said Michael Edwards, Founder of Adrenaline. “Joining the team at Sussex is a strategic move for Adrenaline.

We’re able to develop an integrated agency model that can offer strategic counsel, support with government and marketing and communications services to galvanize supporters - all in house”.

EuroMed’s management team will remain in the business and strengthen the enlarged Scapa Healthcare’s management expertise.

Terms of the Acquisition Scapa has acquired the entire issued share capital of EuroMed, Inc. for an initial cash consideration of USD$35 million, subject to adjustment following the production of completion accounts to ensure normalised working capital. A further payment of up to USD$7 million will be payable depending on achievement of EBITDA targets for the year ending 31 December 2016.

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HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS ANNOUNCES THE FORMATION OF HARPERCOLLINS FRANCE HarperCollins Publishers today announced the continued expansion of its Global Publishing Program with the creation of HarperCollins France. Harlequin SA, which has successfully operated in France for 30 years and was formerly a joint venture with Hachette Livre SA, will now be fully owned by HarperCollins. The business will continue to publish romance under the iconic Harlequin imprint, and expand its commercial trade publishing with titles from HarperCollins as well as local authors.

“We’re excited to announce the formation of HarperCollins France and complete the rebranding of our Harlequin offices in Europe,” said Brian Murray, President and CEO of HarperCollins Publishers. “There is a long and successful history of publishing in France and we look forward to growing the program further and providing our authors with a global, multi-language publishing platform.”

VIVENDI UNIT WINS AUCTION FOR SFX’S FLAVORUS

Bankrupt electronic music festival company SFX Entertainment Inc . has named a $4 million offer the highest and best bid for its event-ticketing business called Flavorus.

Vivendi Ticketing U.S. LLC, a U.S. unit of the British ticketing company Vivendi S.A., was named the successful bidder following an auction June 2 and June 3, according to court documents. Vivendi sells tickets as See Group and Digitick to performing-arts shows, music festivals, sports events and theme parks. Among the more notable of its ticket sales is for the Ryder Cup, a golf tournament.

Flavorus, as operated by SFX, sold tickets to SFX events, including Electric Zoo, but also to a range of nightclubs, gay pride festivals and food events.

A bankruptcy judge is scheduled to consider approving the sale to Vivendi on June 8.

“Hachette has been a fabulous partner for many years and we look forward to a great ongoing partnership for distribution and sales as we move forward with an expanded list in the coming months,” added Murray.

SFX acquired Flavorus in 2014 for $17.1 million but said in court documents that it doesn’t want to hold on to the business after it restructures. The company had planned to auction Flavorus on May 2 but delayed the sale.

Emmanuelle Bucco-Cancès, Managing Director of the former Harlequin.SA, will become Managing Director of the newly formed HarperCollins France.

Earlier in its case, SFX sold its digital marketing agency called Fame House to UMG Commercial Services Inc. for $1 million. Fame House, which SFX acquired for $2.1 million in 2013, has worked with music acts such as Eminem and Pearl Jam. As with Flavorus, SFX said that Fame House had been “successful on many levels” but would no longer be an essential part of SFX’s business after it restructures.

“We are thrilled to become HarperCollins France and expand our publishing program in mainstream fiction under the HarperCollins imprint. We will leverage our strong experience in publishing and our commercial strengths to develop HarperCollins authors locally, while continuing to grow our position in romance under the Harlequin imprint.

This is a turning point for the company and an exciting journey for the whole French team,” said Bucco-Cances.

About HarperCollins HarperCollins Publishers is the second largest consumer book publisher in the world, with operations in 18 countries. With nearly two hundred years of history and more than 120 branded imprints around the world, HarperCollins publishes approximately 10,000 new books every year in 17 languages, and has a print and digital catalog of more than 200,000 titles. Writing across dozens of genres, HarperCollins authors include winners of the Nobel Prize, the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, the Newbery and Caldecott Medals and the Man Booker Prize. HarperCollins, headquartered in New York, is a subsidiary of News Corp (NASDAQ: NWS, NWSA; ASX: NWS, NWSLV) and can be visited online at corporate.HC.com.

The New York company filed for bankruptcy in February shortly after it skipped a $3 million interest payment to bondholders and defaulted on the $5.8 million balance of the bond. SFX’s $220 million in senior bond debt and $30 million revolver also contained cross-default provisions but wasn’t declared in default by its lenders at the time.

SFX’s reorganization plan would wipe out $300 million in debt and take the company private. As part of the deal, SFX will also hire a new chief executive to succeed CEO and Chairman Robert F.X. Sillerman.

SFX produces electronic music concerts in 19 countries, including the U.S., where some of its well-known festivals include Electric Zoo in New York and TomorrowWorld in Atlanta. Electric Zoo got some publicity in 2013 when New York officials canceled the third day of the music festival after the drug-related deaths of two attendees.

Soft Tech INTL / August 2016

Deals KRAKEN HAS ACQUIRED DUTCH BITCOIN EXCHANGE CLEVERCOIN

PROBI TO ACQUIRE NUTRACEUTIX STRONGLY EXPANDING ITS NORTH AMERICAN PRESENCE

San Francisco-based Bitcoin exchange Kraken (Payward, Inc.) has acquired Dutch Bitcoin exchange CleverCoin B.V.

Probi AB (publ) (“Probi”) today announces that its US subsidiary Probi USA, Inc. has signed an asset purchase agreement under which Probi will acquire the operations of the US probiotic company TNTGamble, Inc., doing business as Nutraceutix (“Nutraceutix”), for a preliminary cash purchase price of USD 105 million (corresponding to SEK 873 million[1]) on a cash and debt free basis (the “Acquisition”). With this Acquisition, Probi will increase its market share in North America – the largest and fastest growing probiotic dietary supplements market in the world – more than three-fold, add important new technologies, manufacturing capabilities and customers, and create a strong platform for further acquisitions. The cash purchase price will be financed through available cash reserves, a credit facility and a bridge facility. The bridge facility will be repaid by proceeds from a proposed new share issue with preferential rights for existing shareholders of approximately SEK 600 million (the “Rights Issue”).

The price of the acquisition was not disclosed.

Founded in 2013, CleverCoin aimed to help fintech companies in Europe by providing Bitcoin services via a platform “that makes trading Bitcoins accessible for everyone.”

The company provides payment options through SEPA, credit card, Sofort, Giropay, Bancontact and iDEAL, is fully registered under Dutch law, and offers a platform that is equipped with multiple security layers that are constantly monitored for fraud or other nefarious activities.

Under the deal the CleverCoin brand will be folded into Kraken’s global umbrella while providing existing clients with seamless access to Kraken’s suite of features; CleverCoin clients will be automatically transferred to Kraken’s platform on June 29, 2016.

Statement by Peter Nählstedt, CEO, Probi ”I am very excited about this transforming acquisition.

Nutraceutix is an excellent match for us. Probi and Nutraceutix have complementary business models, limited customer overlap and share strong entrepreneurial values. The acquision creates a strong platform to continue the growth story in the US and in the global market.”

“Kraken is the ideal custodian for CleverCoin going forward. They are, by every measure, the largest Bitcoin and digital asset exchange in Europe and our core beliefs are perfectly aligned,” CleverCoin Chief Technology Officer and Co-Founder Karsten Nilsen said in a statement. “As of today, CleverCoin clients will have seamless access to all the features and benefits of Kraken’s global brand, including the ability to trade many of the most popular currency pairs, the latest technology, the most advanced security, and faster Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) transfers.”

Statement by Tim Gamble, CEO, Nutraceutix “I cannot imagine a better combination of two well-respected organizations. With highly complementary expertise, assets, product offerings, and a shared strategic focus on quality-conscious growth, I envision an outstanding future for the new entity. The transaction will result in the creation of a global leader in the probiotics and probiotic dietary supplement space, and will open up a wealth of new opportunities for the company, its employees and its customers.”

Release the Kraken Kraken’s acquisition of CleverCoin follows a number of acquisitions for the company, including Coinsetter and Cavirtex, followed by Series B investments from Money Partners Group and SBI Investment.

The new acquisition will see Kraken increase its business in Europe significantly with Euro trading pairs.

ADVISORS Handelsbanken Capital Markets is acting as financial advisor and Mannheimer Swartling Advokatbyrå AB is acting as legal advisor to Probi in relation to the Rights Issue. Hjalmarsson & Partners Corporate Finance AB is acting as financial advisor and Wiggin and Dana LLP is acting as legal advisor to Probi in relation to the Acquisition. Cascadia Capital is acting as financial advisor and Perkins Coie LLP is acting as legal advisor to Nutraceutix in relation to the Acquisition.

Average weekly volume in these pairs has already been growing at what the company describes as a rapid rate since the third week of April, with an over 4 times increase in the Bitcoin-Euro (XBT/EUR) and Ether-Euro (ETH/EUR) pairs. The Ether-Bitcoin pair (ETH/XBT) has seen a 9 times increase ove the same time period.

It’s not clear how much CleverCoin raised prior to acquisition, but it did receive support as a graduate of Boost VC, the startup accelerator backed by Tim and Adam Draper.

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METAL POWDER PRODUCTS TO ADVANCE GROWTH INITIATIVES UNDER NEW OWNERSHIP Metal Powder Products, a leading manufacturer of aluminum and ferrous powder metal components, announced today that it has been acquired by Millstein & Co., a diversified investment management and financial services firm. Millstein Capital, the firm’s private equity business, focuses on control-oriented investments in the financial services, technology, industrial, consumer and technology-enabled business services sectors in the United States. The Millstein team has extensive experience owning and operating industrial companies and manufacturing businesses similar to Metal Powder Products. Metal Powder Products was formerly a subsidiary of Revere Industries, a leading manufacturer of high-performance metal and plastic components based in Indiana.

Metal Powder Products experienced a record year in 2015 and has continued its recent success by consistently innovating and expanding production capacity. As a technical leader in the powder metal market, Metal Powder Products has produced several award-winning products and is well positioned to capitalize on market trends.

Michael Duran, a Partner at Millstein & Co., said, “We are impressed by Metal Powder Products’ strong track record of innovation under the leadership of Ben James and his team of skilled professionals. The company’s powder metal expertise has enabled it to deliver dynamic growth and we see great future potential driven by the company’s market-leading aluminum capabilities. We look forward to working with Ben and his team to advance Metal Powder Products’ business.”

“Metal Powder Products’ three factories in Pennsylvania produce excellent quality products that delight customers,” commented Millstein & Co. operating partner Chuck Spears. “We are impressed with the teamwork and productivity of the workforce as they strive for excellence. We plan further investments in automation, material flow and capacity, working closely with our customers to meet and exceed their requirements.”

Simultaneous with the Millstein & Co. acquisition, existing Metal Powder Products executives have also made equity investments into the company, becoming minority shareholders.

“The investment from Millstein & Co. strengthens Metal Powder Products’ position for continued growth as a leading supplier of innovative, custom-engineered products in the powder metal industry,” said Ben James, President of Metal Powder Products. “My team is extremely excited for the opportunity to work with Millstein & Co. and I am confident that together we can successfully build on the scalable growth of our business.”

JAYWING PLC ACQUIRES MASSIVE GROUP Jaywing plc (AIM: JWNG) (“Jaywing” or the “Company”), a UK based agency specialising in the application of data science, is pleased to announce that it has acquired Massive Group Pty (“Digital Massive”), a search marketing agency based in Sydney, Australia.

Digital Massive specialises in search marketing, the adoption of which is growing quickly in Australia. Its clients include a broad range of companies such as Wedgwood, Waterford Crystal, Royal Doulton, Century 21 and Amber Tiles. Digital Massive has experienced strong revenue growth over the past three years with revenue growing by over 300% in this period.

Jaywing has a small search marketing team in Sydney and knows the market well. The acquisition of Digital Massive allows Jaywing to consolidate its existing client relationships and take full advantage of the rapidly growing market in Australia. In time, it will also provide the opportunity for the Company to distribute a broader set of its UK products and services. For Digital Massive, being part of Jaywing will enable it to grow more quickly by leveraging strategic and operational support from the UK. Digital Massive was founded in 2012 and its two current Directors, Chris Pittham and Tom Geekie will remain employed in the business going forward. For the 12 months ended 30 June 2016, Digital Massive generated revenue and EBITDA of AUS$ 1,643k and AUS$ 588k respectively and PAT of approximately AUS$412k.* As at 30 June 2016, Digital Massive had gross assets of AUS$ 719k.* * Based on unaudited management accounts.

Transaction structure Jaywing has acquired 75 per cent. of Digital Massive’s issued share capital for an initial cash payment of AUS$2 million, plus an earn out consideration of up to AUS$2 million, which will be payable in three instalments over the next two years, subject to the future performance of Digital Massive. From July 2020, the Company will, via a put and call option, be in a position to acquire the remaining 25 per cent. of Digital Massive’s issued share capital, at a multiple of its average audited EBITDA for the previous two financial years, subject to a maximum total consideration payable of AUS$12 million for the entire business.

The acquisition is being funded through the Company’s existing cash resources. The acquisition is expected to be earnings enhancing from completion.

Commenting on the deal, Martin Boddy, said: “Our acquisition of Epiphany in the UK in 2014 has proven to be a key driver of growth for Jaywing and we are now effectively seeking to “play the same hand” but in a less developed market. Chris, Tom and their team are a great cultural fit and I’m absolutely delighted to welcome them to Jaywing.

Soft Tech INTL / August 2016

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