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ERP software provider SSA Global Technologies announced Feb. 7 the acquisition of Provia Software for an undisclosed sum.
Provia develops order-to-delivery supply chain execution software that helps companies with heavy distribution arms manage the planning and execution of delivering goods.
What Provia brings to the table in terms of technology is a suite of third-party logistics software applications that includes warehouse management, transportation management, order management, analytics and RFID (radio-frequency identification) applications.
SSA Global, based in Chicago, will combine Provias software with its own supply chain management software, which is geared for large distribution fulfillment companies.
Provia is not by any means the companys first acquisition. This is SSA Globals third acquisition since 2005 and its eleventh buy since 2001, when it began its comprehensive build-out strategy.
In July 2003, SSA Global acquired Baan, a well-known though ailing ERP (enterprise resource planning) company, to boost its own standing in the ERP market.
Since then it has acquired more ERP-related companies, including warehouse management provider EXE Technologies in December 2003, and supply chain execution software developer Arzoon and engineering ERP system Marcam in 2004. In 2005, SSA Global acquired HCM (human capital management) software provider Boniva and CRM (customer relationship management) developer Epiphany.
SSA Globals acquisition strategy is twofold, and fairly straightforward. Its first goal is to acquire product extensions around ERP to provide a stack of products that includes HCM, CRM, PLM (product lifecycle management), SCM (supply chain management) and SRM (supplier relationship management), officials said.
The companys second objective is to expand its customer base beyond its current 13,000 users, primarily in the manufacturing and distribution industry.