Epicor Software Corp. announced Monday the completion of its acquisition of e-business software provider Clarus Corp.
The transaction, valued at approximately $1 million, extends Epicors software line by adding SRM [supplier relationship management] solutions that cover Web-based procurement, sourcing, online invoicing and settlement.
Epicor, of Irvine, Calif., provides software for CRM [customer relationship management] financials, manufacturing, SCM [supply chain management], PSA [professional services automation] and collaborative commerce to the mid-market. It will add Clarus eProcurement, eTour, View Business Intelligence, Sourcing and Settlement software to its line.
In total, the applications from Clarus, of Suwanee, Georgia, provide a Web-based, buy-side commerce solution that can be deployed as a stand-alone, or as part of an integrated package, officials said.
The two companies share a Microsoft development environment, particularly in the areas of development for the .Net platform.
Epicor, which has been in a strategic partnership with Clarus for several years, is also hanging on to some of the companys key employees to develop, service and support the Clarus line of software.
With the combined company, Epicor looks to provide a complete SRM offering. The company plans to continue development in that area and expand the integration of the two software sets, focusing particularly on Clarus eProcurement, Sourcing and Settlement suites.
Essentially a corporate purchasing solution, Clarus eProcurement suite includes View, an analytics application that provides Key Performance Indicators for financial, supplier performance, commodity and process analysis.
A configurable RFx and auctioning application that automates sourcing, Clarus Sourcing sets out to optimize a companys purchasing of direct and indirect goods.
Clarus Settlement is an online invoicing and payment application that extends a companys accounts receivable and accounts payable systems with electronic collaboration.
Epicor, for its part, provides e-business software to about 15,000 customers. With the addition of Clarus, the company will be better equipped to compete with the likes of PeopleSoft Inc. and Oracle Corp., companies that provide e-business software to the mid-market, as well as to large enterprises.
At the same time, Epicor will face stiff competition from Clarus competitors Ariba Inc. and, to some degree, Commerce One Inc.
