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Agresso, one of the UK?s leading suppliers of financial and business management systems, has strengthened its number one position in the post 16 education sector with the acquisition of specialist software provider, Distinction.
The combined business, with a turnover of more than £30 million and nearly 300 employees, will have a complementary suite of applications which, together, will offer a full ERP solution to further and higher education institutions. The integrated AGRESSO Business World system includes financial, project, procurement, HR and payroll modules whilst Distinction has a range of financial accounting, student administration, HR, CRM and e-business products.
The Distinction business will be absorbed into Agresso but will continue to operate from its offices in Swansea with its highly experienced staff of IT developers. Distinction?s two main systems, QL Financials and QL Student Administration, plus its range of specialist FE and HE management software, will continue to be supported and extended to provide the joint customer base with innovative solutions tailored to meet their specific needs.
John Crooks, managing director of Agresso in the UK, said: "There are some very strong synergies between the two companies, with both recognised as having real expertise in further and higher education. The acquisition gives Agresso customers access to Distinction?s powerful and unique education specific systems whilst the backing of our international parent group, Unit 4 Agresso, will provide additional resources to develop our range of products and services in the most effective way."
Steve Bryan, managing director of Distinction Systems, will join the UK Board of Agresso. He said: "This is a move which is extremely good news for the further and higher education sectors. Agresso and Distinction will be able to combine their expertise to continue to develop focused solutions, based on technological innovation, which deliver tangible benefits for existing and future customers."
The two organisations have a number of customers in common and some of Distinction?s specialist software, such as its PPAM pre and post award management system for HE research institutions, is already being implemented by AGRESSO users. Other applications, such as Distinction?s Microsoft-based CRM system, designed to build extensive and powerful marketing databases, are appropriate for all HE and FE institutions and will be a prime target for full integration and further development under Agresso?s ownership.
Crooks summed up: "We firmly acknowledge the responsibility we have as the leading supplier of financial management systems to the post 16 education sector and we are committed to working closely with our customers to continue to develop exciting product suites and solutions tailored to their precise needs. The combined business has larger, international resources and expertise and the future looks bright."
For press information, please contact:
Angie Wild, Results PR
Tel: 01452 813906
Fax: 01452 813907
E-mail: angie@resultspr.demon.co.uk
For other information, please contact:
Christina Torrington, Marketing Manager, Agresso Limited
Tel: 01275 377200
Fax: 01275 377201
E-mail: Christina.Torrington@agresso.co.uk
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