|
EDP
has been in existence for over 40 years now, almost as long as the computer
industry itself. Many computer industry landmarks have been passed
during that time, and EDP has adapted accordingly, keeping abreast
of the rapidly changing technology.
With the increasing ownership
of computer systems by individual companies, EDP moved from offering
bureau services to supplying and maintaining computer hardware.
EDP built a strong reputation for quality services, and became the
largest NCR distributor in Europe.
The progress towards more Open standards
in hardware architecture saw the advent of commodity pricing of
computers, to the undoubted benefit of end users, leading to troubled
times for some famous industry names. The counter to this was a
move into software.
Flotation
& Acquisition
1985 saw EDP float on the
London Stock Exchange. A year later the acquisition of Business
Computer (Systems) Ltd saw EDP's first move towards software, and
with it brought a wealth of experience of the Distribution Market.
Existing BCL
customers were soon to see the benefits of EDP's financial input
with the launch in 1987 of a brand new software package for the
Distribution Market called MERCHANT,
which very quickly became a market leader.
Acquisitions
Acquisitions of BML (Office Computers) Ltd with its CHARISMA
package, DISYS with its Business
Programme and BCT Software Solutions Ltd with the ESPRIT
Software Solution, brings further expertise from different market
sectors of the Distribution trade, making EDP the single largest
supplier of software solutions to the Merchanting and Wholesale
Distribution industry in the UK.
Electronic Data Processing PLC announced that on 16 October 2006
it acquired the business and certain assets of Vecta Software Corporation
Limited (Vecta), a leading provider of sales intelligence software
solutions, based in Oxford. The new company is renamed Vecta
Sales Solutions Limited.
U.S.
Acquisitions & Software Products
EDP has extended this move into software publishing with the setting
up of Objectware Inc. (for UniVision
- database software), the acquisition of Via
Systems (for ViaDuct),
and Amaron (for WinLink).
Through its U.S. offices and worlwide Channel Marketing
Partners, EDP has become a truly international company.
|
