Cogita sells ANZ ERP business to Epicor

New Zealand software group Cogita has announced an agreement to sell its Australian and New Zealand manufacturing and distribution enterprise resource planning (ERP) business interests to US global company Epicor Software Corporation. The transaction is anticipated to close by 31 May 2012.

Since 2000, COGITA has been distributing Epicor software to blue-chip manufacturing companies in Australia and New Zealand.

In acquiring Cogita’s manufacturing ERP business, Epicor’s purchase will include customer contracts, related intellectual property and certain other assets of Cogita, including its strategic office locations in Auckland, New Zealand, and Adelaide, Australia. Almost all Cogita people will be offered employment by Epicor in roles similar to their current ones in New Zealand, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia.

To ensure uninterrupted service, Epicor intends to assign Cogita’s ERP customers to the expanded Epicor consulting team incorporating the same Cogita consultants who now deliver support and service.

The Cogita Board and Cogita shareholders fully support the Epicor acquisition and congratulate Epicor for its continuing growth, success and newly acquired direct presence in South Australia and New Zealand. Cogita Founder Mr Uluomatootua Aiono and Cogita Executive Director Ms Margaret Brown will immediately cease their manufacturing and distribution ERP business activities. Aiono and Brown will continue the development of their Cogita Holdings subsidiaries including cloud computing company 2Onions Ltd plus TOC and online marketing company ViAGO Ltd.