Mainframe diagnostic software house Compuware Corp is stepping up its move into the open systems world with the announcement of its acquisition of Unix software developer Uniface Holding BV, Amsterdam, Netherlands (CI No 2,377). Under the terms of the agreement and final approval of the transaction, the Cupertino, California-based company will issue 8m new shares to the holders of privately-held Uniface. Compuware values the company at $280m, despite its annual turnover of only $58m. Uniface will operate as a wholly-owned subsidiary and no organisational changes are planned, say the two companies. Uniface has 110,000 licensees, 1,800 customers and 12 subsidiaries worldwide. Uniface has been planning to file for a public offering this year, but according to Chris King, Uniface’s UK managing director, the company was advised that a partnership with a large corporate company would also be lucrative. Compuware offered us more incentives strategically, and proposed better research and development investment plans for the future. The deal also opens up the large corporate market for us. And for Compuware, we provide them with a more complete client-server product portfolio, says King. Uniface, which is retaining its name, will become Compuware’s open systems division and be responsible for developing and marketing its own software and its EcoSystems unit’s EcoSphere framework and EcoTools products. Compuware acquired EcoSystems Inc in a similar deal last year.
