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Business & Decision strengthens its position as a leading consultancy organisation with the acquisition of Métaphora
Business & Decision, the European consulting and data engineering company specialising in Business Intelligence, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and e-Business, today announced the acquisition of a majority share in Métaphora, a consultancy company specialising in change relating to the implementation of new IT platforms.
Métaphora positively impacts various stages in the data processing lifecycle: human factors (particularly end-user interfaces), functional performance (ensuring data processing tools are capable of meeting future requirements), user requirements (defining requirements, improving communications, providing documentation, assisting help-desks, implementing changes at base-level, etc.) communication (ensuring that MIS strategy is communicated to relevant users with accompanying documentation).
"Business & Decision have the capability of assisting organisations throughout all phases of their data projects" commented Patrick Bensabat, Chairman, Business & Decision. "With the additional expertise that Métaphora bring, the Business & Decision Group can offer a more comprehensive solution to ensure the success of data projects. With a change management offering, it is possible for us to support appropriate new projects for end users and ensures data management applications are better utilised."This acquisition enables Business & Decision to strengthen its position as a leading consultancy organisation and to expand its offering to large enterprises beyond that of financial management (e.g. internal audits, risk management, market process management, etc.).
More than 1,200 change management projects implemented
Created in 1995 and with offices throughout France (Lille, Paris and Toulouse), Métaphora recorded a sales turnover of €3.2m for 2004 (to 31 December), an increase of 9% compared to the previous year. This represents a net income of €0.1m, an increase of 42%. The company, which has approximately 30 employees, has implemented more than 1,200 projects at 150 customer sites including: Arcelor, Airbus, Axa, Bonduelle, Boulangeries Paul, CCF-HSBC, Cegetel, Cnam, Cnes, Dalkia, Fnac, Galeries Lafayette, Gras Savoye, Vauban Group, La Redoute, Le Monde, The Ministry of Agriculture and Safran-Snecma.
16% of Métaphora's capital has been listed on the Euronext Paris since 2000 (ISIN Code: FR0000076531 / Symbol: MLMET). The remaining 84% is held by the 2 founders of Métaphora, its' employees, and the Siparex Group, which have been acquired by Business & Decision. This acquisition is being funded by cash with an additional amount linked to performance in terms of sales turnover and profitability. Métaphora will remain quoted on the Euronext Paris.
Jean-François Galloüin and Patricia Sebbag (Métaphora) named as Directors
The Founder and Chairman of Métaphora, Jean-François Galloüin (44 years old, holder of a data-processing DEA and Master of Cognitive Psychology from Carnegie Mellon University) and Patricia Sebbag, General Director, (41 years old, holder of a DESS in Political Sciences), have been named as Directors within the Business & Decision Group, where they will be in charge of change management and the communication with users of management information systems. For more information visit: http://www.metaphora.com/.
About Business & Decision - www.businessdecision.com
Founded in 1992, Business & Decision is an International consulting and Systems Integration company specializing in Business Intelligence, Customer Relationship Management (CRM) and E-Business. The Group works with clients to implement systems that aim at driving business functions and performance (dashboards, reporting, consolidation etc.); help in customer relationship management (sales force automation, call centers, campaign management, analytical CRM); and assist in E-Business (intranet and extranet portals, directories and Meta directories, e-commerce, knowledge management, Open source technologies, etc.). With more than 2,800 employees worldwide, Business & Decision has developed a "complete project" approach that spans from consulting to implementation. The Group has a reputation for its functional and technological expertise and has forged partnerships with all of the key technology vendors. At present, Business & Decision has more than 1,200 clients.
Business & Decision has been listed on the Euronext Paris since February 2001 (compartment B / Isin code: FR 00000 7895 8 / Symbol: BND). Business & Decision is listed in the NextEconomy segment and in the IT-Cac (technology market). For more information, visit: http://www.businessdecision.com/
Press Contact at Business & Decision
Investor relations
Pauline Cieutat - pauline.cieutat@businessdecision.com
Tel: +33 1 56 21 21 20
Fax: +33 1 56 21 21 22
