Acquisitions Roundup

PeopleSoft snags Calico Commerce; Zomax buys iLogistix

Tempe, AZ  February 25, 2002  Enterprise software company PeopleSoft has purchased the intellectual property and certain assets of Calico Commerce, while technology service provider Zomax is seeking to buy the business and substantially all the assets of Software Logistics Corp., otherwise known as iLogistix.


PeopleSoft says it will combine Calico's product configurator with its own customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management solutions, a combination that PeopleSoft says will make it the first enterprise applications provider to offer a product configuration solution for both the sales and manufacturing processes.


Users of the new solution will be able to create real-time product configurations through an interactive process of needs analysis, recommendation, configuration, pricing and quoting, according to PeopleSoft. Calico's configuration technology utilizes a guided-buying process that combines a customer's needs with customized product and pricing information.


"Controlling the key elements of the product configuration process through all phases of the customer lifecycle will improve order accuracy and shorten the sales cycle," said Ram Gupta, executive vice president for products and technology at PeopleSoft.


Terms of the purchase were not announced.


Meanwhile, Zomax Inc. today announced a bankruptcy court had approved its acquisition of iLogistix.


Zomax is an outsource provider of process management services, including call center and customer support solutions, supply chain and inventory management, packaging, warehousing, distribution and fulfillment. iLogistix was a provider of supply chain consulting, management and outsourcing services.


Zomax estimated the price tag on the deal with be $24.6 million in cash, plus the assumption of $12.2 million in liabilities. The deal is set to close on February 28 but is subject to the approval of foreign governments and other conditions.


Jim Anderson, chairman and CEO of Zomax, said the acquisition would expand Zomax's product and geographic footprint and would provide an entry point into the Asian market.

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