‘Yammer-style’ technology buy boosts Access Group’s cloud portfolio
Tech City start-up acquisition provides springboard for real-time, group collaboration
London, UK – 26 February 2013 – Business management software provider Access Group (Access) has scooped Tech City start-up Sazneo for an undisclosed sum. The acquisition of the online communication and collaboration technology, likened to Chatter and Yammer, happens just weeks after Access officially launched its SaaS-based self-service platform, Access aCloud. The move will accelerate the integration of persistent instant messaging services into its product suite by up to 18 months.
CEO for Access, Chris Bayne, comments, “Sazneo goes beyond the social media tools currently available, taking interactive dialogue to a whole new level. This is Yammer for the enterprise, but for real-time discussion rather than status updates. Sazneo keeps a complete audit trail of conversations including access to documents and links so everyone involved has full visibility and our aim is to build the ‘go to’ place for communicating and collaborating with employees, customers and the supply chain. This technology makes that easily available across any platform including tablets and smartphones.”
The SaaS-based solution is already being integrated into Access aCloud, which has been described by the analyst community as the platform where ‘social meets enterprise applications’. Sazneo allows organisations to develop different activity streams such as support services, sales, product development or specific projects, bringing a cross-function and multi-company approach to real-time communication. “Connecting the whole business network, without the additional set-up, takes collaboration beyond the immediate workplace,” said Chris. “This makes it perfect for connecting with clients or for outsourcing and offshore scenarios.”
Sazneo customer Nick Fera of US-based Firm58, which provides technology to the capital markets, commented, “Persistence is the key layer for us, providing a record of the conversation; email notification keeps everyone in the loop even if they’re offline for a while and alerts grab attention. Internal email flow has reduced considerably too as visibility within the Sazneo channels is broader and more compelling than random email flows that can omit relevant people."
A benchmark for the future of business communication tools, Sazneo surpasses the discussion functionality of products such as Chatter and Yammer, Twitter-style solutions for the enterprise. Offering real-time group collaboration, including IM functionality, topic tagging and voting-style Q&A, the technology captures conversations in a fully-searchable and easily manageable form. A freemium version of the tool is available, which Access will continue to support and invest in.
Chris concluded, “Sazneo will allow us to fast-track the expansion of our cloud platform by adding real-time communication capabilities that can be deployed anywhere, anytime and from any device. The instant messaging, group chat and online communities tool is available either standalone or from within any application that is capable of embedding a web page. This can be set up quickly and easily in less than five minutes – and with no coding. Now it’s being integrated with Access aCloud too.”
For press and analyst interviews with the executive team please contact the Access PR department on 0845 345 3300. More information on Access and its solution portfolio can also be found at: http://www.theaccessgroup.com.
Alternatively, keep up-to-date by following Access on:
Blog: http://www.accessacloud.com/acloud-blog.aspx
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/accessacloud
LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/company/accessgroup
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About Access:
Access is a leading author of fully integrated business management software. The portfolio spans solutions for ERP, finance, HR, Payroll, warehousing, business intelligence, professional service automation and manufacturing. More than 10,000 UK businesses and not-for-profit organisations use Access solutions to improve their performance, profitability and drive growth, unlocking their business potential through improved business insight.
Vertical focus and industry-specific solutions differentiate Access in the market and templated solutions make for rapid and easy deployments. Using Access software to automate operations, streamline processes and share real-time business information anytime, anywhere, businesses can benefit from significant performance improvements.
Access is one of the top five fastest growing UK software developers in The Sunday Times Buyout Track 100 2012 and featured in last year’s Profit Track 100. On-going commitment to excellence, customers and employees has also placed the company among the UK’s top employers in The Sunday Times’ 100 ‘Best Companies to Work For’ 2011.
In the past 12 months or more Access has completed eight M&A deals including, Sazneo, thankQ, French BI specialists Prelytis and Delta Software, plus the Access customer base of a number of resellers.
Accreditations and memberships:
- Microsoft Gold Certified Partner
- Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW)
- Business Application Software Developers Association (BASDA)
- Access’ software is recognised by HM Revenue & Customs
Awards:
- Enabler of the Year finalist at the National Business Awards 2012
- Software Product of the Year finalist at the British Accountancy Awards 2012
- ICT in Manufacturing finalist at the Manufacturer of the Year Awards 2012
- Inclusion in The Sunday Times Buyout Track 100 list (47th)
- Inclusion in The Sunday Times Profit Track 100 list (63rd)
- Inclusion in The Sunday Times 100 Best Companies to Work For list for mid-market companies (85th)
- Accountancy Age Award 2010 for ‘Software Package of the Year’
Media information:
Helen Carpenter
Head of Group PR
Access Group
T: +44 (0) 1206 322575 / 07833 936311
F: +44 (0) 1206 322956
E: helen.carpenter@theaccessgroup.com
W: http://www.theaccessgroup.com
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