British systems and services giant ICL Plc has acquired a majority stake in Czech software services company PC-DIR on undisclosed financial terms. The company said the purchase of the 51% stake in PC-DIR will strengthen its position in the high- growth SAP business software and network services market in the Czech Republic and Central Europe. PC-DIR employs over 100 staff, had 1997 sales of about $8.3m, and is described by ICL as profitable. It is said to have a strong position in the ERP market – having implemented 15 large SAP projects – and is well- connected in the manufacturing and utilities sectors. ICL says the company’s ERP software services are a good complement to its own Max manufacturing software package. International Data Corp estimates the overall IT market in the Czech Republic was worth some $1.46bn last year, with services and packaged applications accounting for 34% and 13% of that total, respectively.
