Trumbull, Connecticut-based DataEase International Inc is engineering what it describes as a 50-50 merger with its largest international distributor, London-based Sapphire International Plc to create DataEase Sapphire International Group. The new entity will have a combined revenue of $40m and profitable worldwide operations employing more than 250 people and closing is set for end-November. DataEase International Inc – Software Solutions Inc until 1987 – will remain in Trumbull and will continue to direct North American operations, sales, and product development for its personal computer database products. Sapphire International Plc will become DataEase International Ltd and will direct operations and sales throughout Europe, Africa, Australia, South America, Asia and the Far East. Founder Arun Gupta will be chairman of the merged company, and will continue to provide product development direction and positioning as its chief technologist. To capitalise on the established brand name of DataEase, the trading name will remain DataEase International Inc in North America and will become DataEase International Ltd in the rest of the world; no financial details were given.
