BDE makes another acquisition

Sage VAR BDE Group has acquired Apex Business Systems, a Sage SME reseller, for an undisclosed sum.

Last month BDE revealed to CRN that it was planning to make a number of strategic acquisitions during 2006 in an effort to "strengthen and expand its market presence".

Last year BDE secured £10m worth of funding for acquisitions, of which it used roughly £5m to acquire mid-market Sage resellers Object Group and Apex.

This latest acquisition makes BDE one of the largest Sage resellers in the UK with a £10m turnover, 1000 customers and 90 employees based at five locations across the UK, said the Group.

"The key objective of this acquisition was to create the leading provider of integrated business systems to SME and mid market businesses,” said John Linney, managing director of BDE. “As the market continues to get more demanding and complex, only those with a clear and unambiguous focus will prosper."

The deal enhances BDE’s integrated services offering to SME and mid-market businesses and BDE's portfolio will now include Sage Line 100, MMS, Line 500 and CRM, as well as greater service and support.

Tony Parsonage, managing director of Apex, added: “All existing and new customers will benefit from this merger as both organisations are committed to support, service and long term relationships,” Both BDE and Apex have a significant, loyal customer and recurring revenue base. This merger will deliver true economies of scale and breadth of offering that will benefit the customer at every level.” 

laura_hailstone@vnu.co.uk