Software development tools company Compuware Corp has acquired a privately held London-based consultancy firm in a bid to offer customers a better support service in the UK. Vine Systems Co Ltd specializes in systems using Compuware’s Uniface development environment, and its 45 employees will form the bulk of Compuware’s 75 UK-based professional services staff. Farmington Hills, Michigan-based Compuware believes Vine will help it establish the building component of the Uniface 3-D – Development, Deployment and Delivery – strategy, the framework strategy for implementing Uniface in large enterprise environments. Development is based on the company integrating and implementing applications for its customer’s specific needs, Deployment sees Compuware affirming its commitment to multiple platform support, while Delivery is when the rubber hits the road, according to Compuware’s vice president of professional services, Edward Hughes. Vine has assumed the Compuware name, but will continue to operate out of its London offices. Hughes said there would definitely be no redundancies resulting from the acquisition and commented on how Vine’s staff fit in and complement the company’s existing support staff. The company made numerous acquisitions throughout its last financial year (CI No 3,108) and says the purchasing of companies forms part of its expansion plans. It says it will be concentrating on markets in Europe this year.