From today's Globe and Mail:



Activant buys Speedware in friendly takeover

By Simon Avery
Globe and Mail Update 

Speedware Corp. says it has agreed to be acquired by Activant Solutions Inc. for $120-million in cash, a hefty 44-per-cent premium above its market value on Monday, as the software industry continues to look for greater efficiency through consolidation.

Activant, of Austin, Tex., said the deal will bolster its line of business software products for four markets: lumber and building materials, automotive aftermarket, wholesale trade, and home hardware retailing.

Montreal-based Speedware has grown rapidly, posting sales of $44.4-million in fiscal 2004, up from $25.6-million in 2003.

The Montreal-based company recently bought the enterprise software company Prelude Systems of Plano, Tex., for about $10-million (U.S.).

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