Vista acquires SirsiDynix

A private equity firm has bought library-management-system giant SirsiDynix. The buyer, Vista Equity Partners, focuses solely on investing in software and technology-enabled businesses.

‘The SirsiDynix-Vista partnership is an important milestone for our company,’ said SirsiDynix chief executive officer Patrick Sommers. ‘Vista and the management team are excited about the library industry, SirsiDynix’s position within it and the opportunities that lie ahead for both,’ Sommers said.

This news follows the acquisition last year of Ex Libris by another investment company, Francisco Partners. Ex Libris and Francisco Partners have since continued the consolidation trend by buying Endeavor Information Systems from Elsevier. This acquisition is expected to enable Ex Libris Group to ‘invest substantial resources in product development, focusing on existing solutions as well as future offerings.’

‘For companies to remain competitive, they must adopt a long-term strategy for the marketplace and identify opportunities that will assist them in realising their vision,’ commented Andrew Gray, a principal with Francisco Partners. The product roadmap of the new combined company includes continuing to support two integrated library systems, ALEPH 500 from Ex Libris and Voyager from Endeavor. New versions of these two systems are scheduled for release in 2007.