SAP Completes Concur Acquisition for $8.3 Billion
On December 4, global software provider SAP AG (NYSE Ticker – SAP) announced that it had completed its $8.3 billion acquisition (or $129 per share) of Seattle-based Concur Technologies (NASDAQ: CNQR), a travel, expense, and invoice management solution provider. According to company executives, Concur will operate as a business unit of SAP and retain its executive team and the roughly 4,200 employees located around the world.
SAP’s acquisition of Concur is another signal in the provider’s aggressive push to become the preeminent, global source of B2B technology and commerce, with a heavy cloud-based foundation. Much like the solution’s acquisition of Fieldglass earlier this year (click here for our analysis of that deal), SAP has planted its cloud-based stake firmly in the ground of yet another evolving, high-value spend arena. SAP estimates that the business travel market is $1.2 trillion and according to its executives, the Concur acquisition will add 23,000 active customers representing 25 million users to the SAP user base.
For more details and analysis of this deal, which was announced on September 18, click to read our article Instant Analysis: SAP Announces Plans to Acquire Concur for $8.3 Billion.
Ivalua Integrates DocuSign into its Solution Suite
In November, Ivalua, a provider of cloud-based spend management solutions, announced that it will integrate DocuSign’s Digital Transaction Management (DTM) platform into its solution suite, Ivalua Solution. The pairing will allow end users to electronically process contractual documents from the sourcing process through contract execution. In particular, DTM will bring its electronic signature capability to the Ivalua Solution, allowing procurement practitioners and suppliers to expediently conduct and close business on multiple platforms.
According to Paul Noel, SVP of Procurement Solutions at Ivalua, ”DTM’s capabilities have become a necessity for businesses looking to streamline their spend management and DocuSign’s secure, cloud-based platform works exceptionally well among our offerings.” Earlier this year Ivalua was named as one of CPO Rising’s 2014 Hot Tech Prospects.
Lanyon Acquires GenieConnect, Brings Mobility to Meetings and Events Management
On December 11, Lanyon, the Texas-based provider of meetings, events, and travel management solutions, announced that it had acquired GenieConnect, a UK-based provider of mobile applications built for the meetings and events industry. Although Lanyon has integrated GenieConnect’s solutions into some of its own products, the deal will allow Lanyon to offer truly mobile-enabled meetings, events, and travel management solutions. This is great news for Lanyon clients, who can more seamlessly manage corporate meetings and events, as well as for attendees, who can better engage during meetings and events.
According to David Bonnette, Lanyon’s CEO, “Leading companies are looking to consolidate their entire meetings, events and travel programs with one provider, and mobile is a key element.” Prior to the deal, end users had to leverage individual solutions to bring mobility to travel, meetings, and events management. But by integrating GenieConnect’s mobile applications into Lanyon’s Smart Events Cloud and RegOnline platforms, Lanyon will offer the meetings, events, and travel management solutions market with a consolidated solution.
This is Lanyon’s third merger or acquisition in 2014. In February, it merged with ACTIVE Network Business Solutions Group, an events management solution provider (which we covered here). And in April, it acquired PassKey, which provides automated reservation management solutions for travel, meetings, and events. It’s been an exciting year for Lanyon, and we look forward to hearing more from this industry heavyweight in 2015.
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