Its vertical markets, particularly the library automation systems business, have been so good to Markham, Ontario-based Geac Computer Corp that it finds itself in a position to go out on a spending spree, and after its deal to buy CLSI Inc (CI No 2,066) it has now agreed to buy the assets and business of McDonnell Douglas Information Systems Canada Inc, a unit of St Louis-based MacDonnell Douglas Corp. McDonnell’s US Microdata Pick business is long gone in a management buy-out that created Novadyne Computer Systems Inc, essentially a marketing and support business, and the headquarters of the business retained by McDonnell are here in the UK, in Hemel Hempstead. Geac will with McDonnell Douglas Corp and McDonnell Douglas Information Systems Ltd here in a strategic alliance. Financial terms of the pact were not disclosed, but Geac will sell, support and service the hardware and operating system software in Canada. McDonnell had planned to float the UK-based business on the London Stock Exchange but Black Monday and the subsequent rerating downwards of computer companies by the market put that idea on hold. The reception given to Tadpole Technology Plc may encourage some rethinking.
