Bechtle acquires HanseVision, the experts in SharePoint.

Bechtle AG strengthens its position in the software solution market by acquiring HanseVision GmbH, Hamburg. The company, well-known for its expertise in Microsoft solutions, has a special focus on the increasingly relevant SharePoint technologies. HanseVision was founded in 1999 by Lorenz Goebel, the current CEO, and employs a staff of 22.

Neckarsulm, 29 July 2011 – Bechtle AG continues to follow its strategic course as an IT solutions provider and expand its business in the software and application solutions segment by acquiring HanseVision GmbH, an established company in this sector. Their range of services includes consulting, planning and implementation, as well as operations and coaching. Like Bechtle, the Microsoft Gold Partner HanseVision can count small and medium-sized businesses, large enterprises and the public sector among its customers.

HanseVision provides solutions for employee and enterprise portals, business intelligence and document management, among other things. HanseVision has an accredited development department, comprehensive industry and consulting expertise, and experience in SAP integrations. HanseVision’s employees are also known throughout the industry as the authors of SharePoint books and moderators of one of the largest XING groups on the subject.

“We expect above-average growth in the IT market for Web-based portal solutions in coming years. HanseVision is not only regarded as a pioneer in this area, but also as the most experienced expert for SharePoint solutions. This competence will be an excellent addition to Bechtle’s IT solutions,” explains Norbert Franchi, head of Software Marketing at Bechtle AG. “We’re very pleased to have gained a well-practised, excellently trained team for Bechtle in a market where specialists are so scarce.”

Bechtle expects significant synergies and cross-selling effects in its traditional system house business through HanseVision. “With this acquisition, we’ve taken another step towards positioning ourselves as a full-service provider in the market for application solutions. We’ve also further reinforced the quality of our long-standing partnership with Microsoft, which was important for us,” says Norbert Franchi. HanseVision performs cloud consultations and other services on behalf of Microsoft, and implemented one of the first cloud computing projects based on Windows Azure, Microsoft’s cloud services platform, in Germany.

Norbert Franchi

Bechtle has already implemented a series of projects with HanseVision. HanseVision CEO Lorenz Goebel: “We’ve already worked in close co-operation in various customer situations in the past. This was a very comfortable starting point for the decision to incorporate the company into the Bechtle Group. I’m convinced that we’re an excellent fit for Bechtle and that we can benefit considerably from one another. We see ourselves as a strong team in a strong community."

Lorenz Goebel will stay on board in his role as CEO and HanseVision will continue to operate under its own brand name. Both partners have agreed to keep the purchase price confidential. HanseVision’s revenue amounted to 3.6 million euros in the fiscal year 2010.

Lorenz Goebel

Background Information on SharePoint:

SharePoint is a comprehensive portal technology used in solutions for managing documents, content, forms, workflows and processes. SharePoint can also be used to set up an Internet presence, or intranets and extranets. For example, HanseVision was instrumental in creating an Internet presence for www.dataport.de and www.apetito.de. With SharePoint, all applications are integrated into a shared user interface and linked to one another, making this an attractive solution for teams working at different times or in different locations. It was designed to significantly increase productivity and optimise business processes.