June 2008
by Marshall Breeding and Tom Peters
In Smart Libraries Newsletter This Month
Civica Transitions to Private Equity
Although not a well-known library software vendor in the United States, Civica, in the global market, ranks as one of the largest companies providing software to libraries.
Officials at the United Kingdom-based library software vendor recently announced Civica will change from a publicly traded company (traded on the London-based AIM exchange) to a private company primarily owned by the "very large" private equity firm 3i Investors.
"The transition of Civica from a public company to one under the ownership of a private equity firm reflects the realities of the current economy in which the library automation industry resides," observes Marshall Breeding in the June issue of Smart Libraries Newsletter.
"In a highly competitive market fueled primarily by non-profit organizations...companies need flexibility and efficiencies that are difficult to achieve by publicly traded companies."
Also in Smart Libraries in June by Tom Peters
- "WiMAX May Raise and Extend the Wireless Bar"
- "The Cost of a Virtual Presence"
- "Open Relais Event"
