HP to absorb document automation developer

Stephen Withers
Thursday, 24 January 2008 00:39

IT Industry - Strategy

Hewlett-Packard has inked a deal for the acquisition of Exstream Software from current owner American Capital Strategies.

HP plans to combine Exstream's technology with its existing portfolio so customers can better design, manage and publish personalised documents for printed or online delivery.

The company claims the acquisition will make it a leader in variable data publishing - the creation of documents and publications including flexible or personalised content selected according to business rules.


"Businesses – whether a bank, healthcare provider or utility company – need to communicate relevant, personalised information to their customers through a broad range of channels," said David Murphy, senior vice president, web services and software business at HP's imaging and printing group. "We expect that the acquisition of Exstream will allow HP to address a broader set of customers and be a strong leader in the fast-growing document automation market."

Exstream's main products are Dialogue (for building and deploying high-volume, on-demand, and interactive document applications), Dialogue Live (for managing the editing of interactive documents), and AFP Studio (Advanced Function Presentation tools).

No indication was given of how many of Exstream's more than 300 employees will join HP, although it has been announced that Exstream preseident and CEO Rich Troska will lead the business unit.

Financial terms of the transaction were not disclosed.