Atlas acquires Adams to build Access business

Cheshire-based dealer Atlas Business has taken over rival Adams Computers? accountancy software business to form start-up firm AAA Financials & Systems.

AAA Financials has started trading out of Adams Computers? offices in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands.

Atlas, which sells Access Accounting, denied it was a defensive move to combat the threat of Sage Sovereign dealer Viking Micro Systems, which wants to double its Access business in the North.

John Butler, director of Atlas, said: ?We wanted to bring the two organisations together so we could serve the mid-range corporate market. It also gives us the ability to support middle England in general.?

Roger Adams, director of Adams Computers, will maintain a 20 per cent stake in AAA Financials, while running Adams which will concentrate on the Mac market.

Tony Barrow, channel manager at Access Accounting, said: ?It?s good to see our dealer channel growing and forming new alliances to strengthen their businesses around our brand.?

AAA, which stands for Access, Atlas and Adams, has 12 full and part-time staff.

• J Access has reduced its accredited dealers from 70 to 57 authorised specialist centres. It claims to have 150 standard resellers on its books.