IRIS acquires ATW

IRIS, the largest privately owned software and services business in the UK, is continuing to invest in the future with its latest acquisition of ATW Information Technology Systems, a leading reseller and partner of the multi award-winning Accounting, ERP & Business Management Solution, IRIS Exchequer. This is the first acquisition to be announced in 2009 for the company that is demonstrating a clear strategy to strengthen its presence in key vertical sectors.
 
Based in Sussex, ATW Information Technology Systems, has established an excellent reputation for the quality of its customer service and the delivery of expert consultancy to medium sized companies using business and accounting systems in the South of England.
 
The acquisition of ATW will allow IRIS to further distinguish itself from others in the highly competitive mid-market through its focus on the provision of exemplary support and service at all stages of the customer life-cycle; a factor highlighted by the company's recent success in the 'Customer Kings' competition to find 2009's best customer focused companies.
 
The business will join the growing portfolio of the IRIS Accounting & Business Solutions Division which comprises the mid-market ERP systems, IRIS Exchequer and IRIS Chorus and the Professional Service Automation solutions, IRIS PROJECTminder and IRIS SharpOWL. The division is headquartered in Bournemouth with offices in Brighton, Barnstaple, Thanet and West Bromwich.

Stuart Dawson, Managing Director of IRIS Accounting & Business Solutions commented:"ATW is a valuable addition to the IRIS portfolio bringing significant expertise and knowledge of the IT and accounting requirements of medium sized businesses.  We know the team extremely well as ATW has been a leading reseller and business partner since 2002. We will continue to work closely with ATW's sister business Bright Matter which specialises in Web design and marketing.
 
"The acquisition forms an important part of our strategy; to invest heavily to ensure that we have highly qualified teams to ensure our customers receive the best service and support available: our business model is all about delivering tangible business benefits through the quality of our product and our people.
 
"Customers are already benefiting from the expansion of IRIS allowing them to implement fully integrated specialist systems from a single vendor with IRIS Exchequer at the heart of the system. As with any acquisition, our emphasis will be very much on ensuring 'business as usual' for the existing ATW Exchequer customer base."