Agresso, the supplier of financial and business management systems, has strengthened its position in the post sixteen education sector with the acquisition of specialist software provider, Distinction. The combined business, with a turnover of more than £30 million and nearly 300 employees, will have a complementary suite of applications which, together, will offer a full ERP solution to further and higher education institutions.
The integrated AGRESSO Business World system includes financial, project, procurement, HR and payroll modules whilst Distinction has a range of financial accounting, student administration, HR, CRM and e-business products.
The Distinction business will be absorbed into Agresso but will continue to operate from its offices in Swansea with its staff of IT developers. Distinction's two main systems, QL Financials and QL Student Administration, plus its range of specialist FE and HE management software, will continue to be supported and extended to provide the joint customer base with innovative solutions tailored to meet their specific needs.
John Crooks, managing director of Agresso in the UK , said: "There are some very strong synergies between the two companies, with both recognised as having real expertise in further and higher education. The acquisition gives Agresso customers access to Distinction's education specific systems whilst the backing of our international parent group, Unit 4 Agresso, will provide additional resources to develop our range of products and services in the most effective way."
The two organisations have a number of customers in common and some of Distinction's specialist software, such as its PPAM pre and post award management system for HE research institutions, is already being implemented by AGRESSO users.
