Merger with Vistali: Solucom becomes the leading French SOA architecture consulting firm

The Solucom group announced today its alliance with Vistali.

Vistali: the consulting firm that specializes in information systems orchestration

Founded in 2001, Vistali employs 45 consultants and ranks among the leading French players in Service Oriented Architecture (SOA) consulting.

SOA architectures are a powerful lever to optimize the organization and operation of information systems. They help companies become more flexible and reactive when faced with core business challenges and changes in their environment.

Vistali's daily rates (over € 750) show evidence of the high added-value of its consulting services.

Vistali boasts a customer base exclusively comprised of key accounts such as Air France – KLM, Bic, Carlson Wagonlit Travel, Gaz de France, Groupama, Société Générale, and SFR.

Emergence of the leading French SOA architecture consulting firm

This operation comes about pursuant to the alliance, in September 2005, between the Solucom group and Dreamsoft, a company positioned in the same market. With Vistali, the Solucom group now employs over 120 consultants specializing in SOA architectures. 

For Jean-François Perret, Chairman of Pierre Audouin Consultants, "this operation is a major event in the SOA market. By setting up an alliance between the teams of its Dreamsoft SOA arm and those of Vistali, the Solucom group becomes the undisputed Nr. 1 of SOA architecture consulting in France;"

"Through its positioning focused on high added-value and its growth strategy, the Solucom group has imposed itself as the best partner to enable Vistali to boost its development," rejoices Pierre Bougeret, Chairman and Co-founder of Vistali. "Our extreme closeness of values has enabled us to set up together an ambitious industrial project that is a wonderful opportunity for our companies."

"By bringing together the teams of Vistali and Dreamsoft, the Solucom group displays its ambitions in the SOA consulting market," states Pascal Imbert, Chairman of the Board, Solucom. "We are particularly pleased to see that the management of Vistali has chosen to pursue the expansion of its company within our group. After New'Arch and KLC, Solucom confirms, with this operation, the strengthening of its high value-added consulting offer."

Additional sales revenue of €5.4 million

In 2005/2006 (financial period ended September 30, 2006), Vistali recorded sales revenue of €5.4 million, with an operating margin close to 7%.

Solucom acquired 100% of the capital of Vistali on April 2, 2007. The acquisition is entirely funded in cash. The company will be consolidated in the Solucom group’s accounts as of April 1st 2007.

The 4 founding managers of the company will remain at its head in order to pursue its development within the Solucom group.

Next financial release: 14 May 2007, Annual Revenues 2006/2007

The Solucom group: Strategy, Design and Governance of Infrastructures

A key player and leader in the field of IT infrastructure consulting, the Solucom group works with the IT departments of major accounts to develop their infrastructure strategies, design solutions and ensure the governance of their infrastructures.

The group also consults to Telecoms operators and the media to define their strategy for innovative offerings and services.

Solucom is the partner of the largest French companies in their national and international projects: Air France-KLM, Alstom, ANPE, Banque de France, BNP-Paribas, Bouygues Telecom, Carrefour, Crédit Agricole,  EDF, Gaz de France, La Poste, L’Oréal, Ministères de l'Economie et des Finances, de l’Education Nationale, de l'Intérieur, Neuf Cegetel, Orange, RTE, SFR, SNCF, Société Générale, Suez, Total.

Solucom is listed on Euronext Paris – Eurolist – Section C, NextEconomy section.

ISIN: FR0004036036 – LCO; ICB: 9533 – IT services