Lawson buys Intentia

US-based ERP firm Lawson Software last month acquired Swedish Intentia, delivering a combined $800m organisation with 3,500 employees serving 4,000 customers in 40 countries. Intentia had denied suggestions that it was for sale, stating it was an acquirer, particularly following the virtual takeover by venture capitalist and entrepreneur Romesh Wadhwani, who previously built Aspect Technologies before its sale to i2. But this is being positioned as more a merger, with Richard Lawson and Wadhwani will becoming co-chairmen. The deal makes sense and it’s good news for users: there are more technology similarities than differences – basis in Java, foundation in IBM Websphere – and it means far better global coverage. Intentia marketing director Allan Davies says the Intentia name will disappear, while the systems live on as Lawson Movex. “For us, it’s business as usual,” he says. “But as a bigger player, we can now talk to bigger manufacturers.”