Software AG becomes itCampus’ majority shareholder

Cooperation opens access to global markets – „Think Tank“ itCampus remains independent player in the ITK industry – IT location „Mitteldeutschland“ (Central Germany) is strenghtened

Darmstadt/Leipzig, 02/03/2009 – Software AG, one of the globally leading supplier of infrastucture software for business processes, take a share in itCampus a software company from Leipzig, Germany. To the 1st April 2009 Darmstadt based Software AG takes over 51 percent of itCampus who will continue to act as an independent company located in Leipzig.

With the majority-interest in itCampus Software AG further expands its research and development capacities in Germany. Founded as a spin-off of the University Leipzig and the Martin-Luther-University in the German city of Halle-Wittenberg in 1999, itCampus still keeps close relationships with well-known universities and research institutes today. Leading the way, founder Prof. Dr. Wolfgang Lassmann stands for the academic and scientific orientation of itCampus. Prof. Lassmann is one of the German pioneers in business informatics and until today presides over itCampus’ Scientific Advisory Board. ”Let’s import work instead of exporting workers.” – following this mission statement he deliberately set up itCampus in Central Germany, “to find a way to keep high-level specialists in this up-and-coming region – and to harness their expertise for the benefit of the local economy and to create high-tech jobs in a future-proof sector”, says Prof. Lassmann.

As a „Think Tank“ itCampus and its 120 employees will especially strengthen Software AG’s development capacity in the field of process automation. “We are investing in minds and knowledge. Joining forces with itCampus will boost our process optimisation competence”, says Karl-Heinz Streibich, Chairman of the Board of Software AG. “Especially in times of an economic crisis, process efficiency booms. Our investment in itCampus with its strong focus of research is a good sign for Germany as location for software development.”

itCampus’ emphasis in research and development includes the areas of individual software development as well as software ergonomics and design. With the ELSBETH product family itCampus is also an innovative supplier of communication solutions. One of itCampus’ core competences is to combine communication with business processes, such as customer calls and back-office activities within the company. This pioneering role shall now be reinforced and expanded internationally by Software AG’s involvement. “The interface between voice and software will become more and more important for the automation of business processes. Here we are strengthening our product portfolio with itCampus“, emphasises Dr. Peter Kürpick, Product Manager at Software AG.

Ten years after its foundation itCampus takes an important step in its development by joining forces with Software AG. In the future, itCampus’ products – especially the communication solution ELSBETH and the testing software web2test – shall also be sold via Software AG’s sales network. Dr. Andreas Lassmann, Managing Director of itCampus, is looking forward to a leading position of both companies in the growing market of communication processes. “This commitment enables us to, from now on make use of our technologies worldwide. The cooperation with Software AG underlines the great capabilities of our research and development teams and also is a great sign for Central Germany as an IT location”, says Dr. Lassmann.

itCampus software and systems house GmbH in its current size and areas of business shall still be managed independently from Leipzig. “It is Software AG’s ambition that itCampus stays what it is – an independent hotbed for innovation with fresh ideas and a technological vision”, explains Tobias Schmidt, Technical Director of itCampus. “Our strong relationship with central German universities that has grown over the years, helps us to win the best alumni – Leipzig, as a location, is and remains a competitive advantage for itCampus.”

About itCampus

itCampus is an innovative software development company closely cooperating with international scientists and researchers. Founded in 1999 in the cities of Halle and Leipzig in Germany, the company today has offices in Germany, the UK, Switzerland, Italy, Austria and Slovakia. itCampus provides communication solutions, IT consultancy services and custom solutions in the fields of software development and software ergonomics. The intelligent IT and telecommunication solutions of the ELSBETH brand have boosted the company’s reputation. They are used in call and contact centers and companies with a high communication level.

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