Pick Systems Inc., a leading developer of multi-user, multi-value database management system (DBMS) software, announced today that it has signed a letter of intent to acquire General Automation`s (GA) database business for $6.5 million, plus other considerations. The agreement, which is expected to be final by mid-June, reflects the commitment of Pick Systems` new management team to re-establish the company as the leading provider of multi-value database technology.
"For many years, GA eXpress has been one of the premiere companies in the multi-value technology market," said Gil Figueroa, president and CEO of pick Systems. "This transaction reflects our commitment to reinvigorate, reposition and re-establish Pick as the leading multidimensional database management system provider for the new economy. As we continue to execute on our new vision, we look forward to providing GA`s customers with a very high level of service. We will also be expanding on that support within the next few months through new marketing and branding initiatives."
Under the terms of the agreement, Pick Systems will acquire GA`s complete line of database products. The company will incorporate key advanced features of the GA software into its own technology. This GA enhanced technology will allow Pick Systems, through its VAR channel, to target high-end, large multi-user enterprise class customers. Pick Systems is committed to providing a very high level of support for the GA database products.
"As the original developer of multi-value technology, we are excited about this opportunity to enhance our already-strong customer base and to add new functionality and features to our database software," said Tim Holland, Pick`s senior vice president and CTO. "The market for our D3 and related products and services is estimated to be one of the largest non-proprietary segments of the computer industry. This acquisition positions us to quickly become the undisputed leader in multi-value database technology. We are also committed to providing high-quality service and support to GA`s customers and to the overall multi-value market."
Pick Systems was acquired in March by an investment group led by Figueroa, with financial backing by Astoria Capital and Devonshire Holdings. The new management team, which includes several former Pick Systems executives, is committed to providing its customers with a full range of technical and marketing support and will be implementing several new programs within the next few months. Pick Systems also aims to expand their business efforts to provide support for a wider range of companies in the new economy.
Including hardware, software and services, the overall Pick marketplace has sales that are estimated to be more than $3 billion, with an installed base approaching four million users, according to Delran N.J.-based market researcher Datapro Information Services Group. More than 4,000 commercial Pick-based applications have been developed, comparable to the number of applications written for Microsoft Corp`s Windows or DOS environments.
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Pick Systems
Pick Systems is the developer of D3(r), the firm`s latest-generation multi-user, multi-value database management system. D3 is an open system that supports ODBC, SQL and OSFI standards. D3 runs on a wide spectrum of hardware, including personal computers, midrange systems, and massively-parallel computing systems, and is available for the major varieties of UNIX, including IBM(r) AIX(r), Hewlett-Packard(r) UX, SCO OpenServer(tm) and UnixWare(r) 7, Sun Solaris, and Red Hat Linux and Linux-Mandrake(tm). The Microsoft(r) Windows NT(r) and Windows 95/98 operating environments are fully supported as well. PICK markets its products worldwide through a network of over 800 VARs who offer more than 4,000 Year 2000-compliant, commercially-available applications. The Professional Services division provides Pick`s customers with assistance in all aspects of technology upgrade and project management.