Access, the mid-market consulting, software and solutions provider, has acquired Canterbury-based Select Software, a provider of web-enabled HR solutions. The acquisition is part of Access's strategy to invest in, and expand, its software portfolio and services beyond the finance function.
The acquisition forms part Access’ plan to surpass £30m turnover by 2012. Select Software will become a division of Access UK, and will continue to operate out of its Canterbury office, under a new Access Select brand.
Alistair O'Reilly, founder and CEO for Access, told FSN: "An HR system is crucial for mid-market enterprises to manage the business, improve employee retention and maintain legal obligations. We're dedicated to adding real customer value by extending the reach of our software portfolio and services through this solid web-based HR offering. We're now able to provide a complete HR, payroll and online recruitment solution to our customers that includes everything from absence, timesheets and expenses to dashboard and headcount reporting."
The acquisition fits very neatly into Access' customer profile with Select bringing around 300 clients and notable strengths in professional services and not-for-profit (where Access already has strength) as well as providing new opportunities in legal services and higher education.
According to Access, businesses need to ensure that they manage their HR function fully and correctly - and accurately record that process. Without proper procedures in place, businesses can easily be taken to task, but for the growing mid-market organisation the recording of information, effectively and efficiently, is much more difficult without the correct systems in place.
With Select Software's complete HR solution, developed in-house by dedicated R&D teams, Access says the acquisition will further its ability to offer customers an integrated financial and HR solution.
For the moment though Access is not following the herd into HR advisory services. "We do not provide financial advice and do not see ourselves providing HR advice," O'Reilly told FSN, "but we are pleased to have made the acquisition which expands our reach into other business functions and provides opportuinities for growth as well as serving cutomers with a more complete solution."
Paul Druckman, chairman for Access, comments: "The acquisition will allow us to leverage the joint Select and Access brands to the benefit of all our customers. Our aim is to provide solutions that meet the needs of the whole organisation, delivering full transparency and visibility of information across every department. Together with our combined consulting expertise, we're providing an even greater offering to our growing customer base, helping them take a joined-up approach to their business operations.
