Visma acquires 50.1% of the shares in Unison, and establishes an ASP centre

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18.12.2000

Visma acquires 50.1% of the shares in Unison, and establishes an ASP centre

Visma ASA has signed an agreement to buy 50.1% of the shares in Unison AS for NOK 6 million. Settlement will be made in shares in Visma ASA from Visma’s holdings of its own shares. In addition, a share offering of NOK 3 million in Unison will be carried out, bringing Visma’s stake to 50.1% of the total shares outstanding. Visma has an option to buy up to 100% of the shares in Unison until the end of the first quarter of 2004. The acquisition and share offering will take place on 9 January, and depend on successful completion of the due diligence.

In 2001, Unison expects sales of NOK 35 million, with an operating profit margin of 10%. The company has 35 employees, and specializes in ASP operation of Visma Business, design and operation of advanced networks, and development of Web applications. Unison has been a business partner to Visma for several years. Systems that it has developed include the e-commerce solutions sold by Visma. At the beginning of 2001, Unison will offer an ASP solution for Visma Business, which will be distributed via Visma's dealers. Unison is a virtual ASP centre, in that the company does not invest in hardware and computer rooms itself, but instead works in strategic cooperation with Hewlett Packard.

Up to now, Unison has also functioned as a dealer for Visma Business. To avoid channel conflict, however, direct sales of this type will be left to other dealers. This area has represented less than 5% of Unison’s business.

Øystein Moan, CEO of Visma ASA, says: "Unison will be an important element in Visma's commitment to Business Service Providing and outsourcing. We have several years of favourable experience with Unison in the operation and development of Web applications."

For further information, please contact:

Øystein Moan, CEO, Visma ASA, +47 6752 5500.