You are here: Home > Company > News > HighJump Software Acquires BelTek - FAQs >
HighJump Software Acquires BelTek - FAQs
HighJump Software’s Acquisition of BelTek Systems Design
Frequently Asked Questions
Today (10th Nov 08) we announced that HighJump Software has acquired BelTek Systems Design, a provider of direct to store delivery software. BelTek provides software, services and support for companies that perform route-based sales and delivery in Baked Goods, Beer, Wine & Spirits, Beverage, Bottled Water, Coffee, Confectionery, and other consumer goods industries across North America, the Caribbean and Europe.
General
1. Why is this good for HighJump Software?
HighJump Software’s strategy is to establish leadership positions in targeted industries, product categories, and geographies. The acquisition of BelTek provides HighJump Software a strong platform for route accounting, mobile sales, and mobile delivery within our current industries and also expands its market position in DSD software to new industries such as packaged ice, linens and uniforms.
Additionally, BelTek provides a geographic expansion of our DSD product line to Europe.
2. Why is this good for BelTek?
HighJump Software’s global scale and broad experience in enterprise software allows BelTek’s products to reach a larger portion of the market. BelTek’s products will be a core component of HighJump Software’s DSD product strategy. There will be significant opportunity for Beltek product experts to help sell, market, develop, implement and support the current BelTek product offering. Additionally, BelTek will now be able to leverage resources across HighJump Software’s 270 experienced employees.
3. What is HighJump Software’s experience in enterprise software?
Over the course of 25 years, HighJump Software has developed numerous product lines and acquired additional products and technologies. Initially HighJump Software was focused on bar code data collection solutions for manufacturing environments. In the late 1990’s the company expanded into the warehouse management systems (WMS) market and became a market leader based on its unique adaptable architecture running on the Microsoft® Windows platform. The 2008 Forrester WMS Wave evaluation ranked HighJump Software as one of two companies in the “Leaders” band for WMS software.
HighJump Software has expanded its WMS product line to include a comprehensive set of supply chain execution solutions, including supplier enablement, yard management, labor management and manufacturing execution. In addition to organically developed product lines, HighJump Software has made two acquisitions prior to BelTek. In 2006, it acquired Pinnacle Distribution Concepts, a provider of on-demand transportation management solutions (TMS), and Global Beverage Group, a provider of DSD software.
4. What attracted HighJump Software to BelTek?
HighJump Software was attracted to BelTek for several reasons. BelTek has a strong technology platform and application functionality for route accounting and mobile sales and delivery. BelTek has a flexible approach to configuring its software, which allows it to work in many adjacent DSD industries where HighJump Software does not currently have a presence. BelTek has customers and distribution capability in Europe and the Caribbean. Additionally, BelTek management has described the employees as hardworking and creative, which will be an excellent cultural fit with the HighJump Software team.
5. Where is BelTek located?
BelTek is based in Moncton (Dieppe), New Brunswick, Canada.
6. How large is BelTek?
BelTek has 30 employees and revenues of approximately $5 million.
7. What are the key industries for HighJump Software’s current direct store delivery products?
HighJump Software’s DSD customers are primarily focused in the soft drink, beer, wine & spirits, bakery, snack, candy, and tobacco industries.
8. What products are offered by BelTek?
BelTek provides three primary products. Route Assistant® is a mobile sales and delivery application for handheld mobile devices. Route Assistant supports presales and delivery functionality from the same application. Route Administrator® is the route accounting system that supports integration with the mobile applications and customer’s ERP and WMS systems. T-Server!® is communication middleware that facilitates communication between Route Assistant and Route Administrator.
9. When did the transaction close?
The purchase agreement and close occurred simultaneously earlier today.
10. Will BelTek products continue to be promoted under the BelTek name?
No. For the immediate future, BelTek products will maintain their names (Route Assistant, Route Administrator, and T-Server!), but they will ultimately be rebranded as HighJump™ solutions.
11. How does this affect HighJump Software’s product strategy for direct store delivery software?
HighJump Software’s strategy for the DSD product line is to provide our customers with a complete software platform through a comprehensive combination of business process functionality. This will be realized through the combination of HighJump products and select strategic partner products. The acquisition of BelTek is a large step toward this strategic objective. BelTek provides strong technology and the functional foundation for route accounting, mobile sales, and mobile delivery that is consistent with our broader product strategy.
12. When will Route Administrator, Route Assistant and T-Server! be made available to existing
HighJump Software customers?
As part of the acquisition process, HighJump Software reviewed the functionality and technical architecture of the BelTek products. Based on this analysis we feel BelTek products provide a significant portion of our desired functionality for route accounting. The BelTek acquisition validates our strategy that the fastest time to market for new route accounting functionality is through acquisition as opposed to organic product development initiatives. As part of the forthcoming business integration process, HighJump Software will develop a product roadmap with associated timelines and licensing fee structures for existing customers who elect to move to T-Server!, Route Assistant and/or Route Administrator.
13. How will this acquisition differentiate HighJump Software from its competition?
HighJump Software maintains a strong market position in DSD software with significant penetration across multiple industries. The combined HighJump Software/BelTek entity has the most comprehensive industry applicability of any provider of DSD software. Additionally, BelTek products provide a modern technology architecture which differentiates HighJump Software from many of the traditional DSD software competitors.
14. How will this acquisition benefit BelTek customers?
HighJump Software’s strategy and operating principles include a commitment to maintaining satisfied customers through strong professional services and support. BelTek customers will receive the benefits of this commitment to customer service. Additionally, Route Administrator and Route Assistant are critical to HighJump Software’s product strategy. This means that BelTek customers will benefit from strong R&D investment and a commitment to innovate on these product lines.
15. How will this transaction benefit HighJump Software customers?
Based on direct feedback from customers, HighJump Software has developed a comprehensive product strategy for DSD software. The acquisition of BelTek and its products and technology is a key step in this strategy. HighJump Software is committed to providing a complete software platform, which through HighJump products and select strategic partner products is a comprehensive combination of business process functionality for our DSD customers. BelTek is a foundational piece of this product strategy. HighJump Software believes this product strategy aligns with the needs of our customers who desire flexible DSD software solutions from a trusted partner.