ALOS is a leading supplier in the domestic German market of products and services in the electronic document imaging market. Services include consulting, systems design and technical support. As at its last year end, 31 December 1999, audited net assets of ALOS totalled EUR717,000 (GBP430,000).

The purchase of this strategic stake by DICOM allows both companies to co-operate more closely, particularly in the German speaking market. Mutual synergies envisaged can be achieved in technical service areas, with DICOM offering its customers an enlarged network of highly qualified and specialist engineers throughout Germany.

Commenting, Otto Schmid, Chairman and Chief Executive of DICOM said:

Both companies should now enjoy an advantage over our competitors in Germany, given that EDC applications are primarily used in mission critical applications.

He added: DICOM’s services, branded as DICOM PlusPacTM will improve with quicker reaction times and guaranteed availability 24 hours per day, seven days per week. In addition improvements in spare parts logistics are expected.