ACC.L Regulatory News (ACC)

14 Jun 2005 07:00

Access Intelligence PLC14 June 2005 FOR RELEASE 7.00AM 14 JUNE 2005 ACCESS INTELLIGENCE PLC ("Access Intelligence" or "the Group") (Range of companies providing information, advice and services to small and medium sized businesses and the public sector) POSITIVE START TO THE CURRENT YEAR Jeremy Hamer, the Chairman of Access Intelligence, will make the followingcomments on current trading at the Annual General Meeting to be held later todayin York: "I am pleased to report that the Group is now trading profitably. Earlier this month we announced the first step in our strategy of building aportfolio of companies which provide information, advice and services tobusiness and public sector organisations on a recurring revenue basis and we arecontinuing to target businesses which we believe will add value to the Group.In evaluating businesses we have maintained our cautious approach and we havebeen very thorough in carrying out our due diligence and we shall remain so . Ridgeway Technologies, our first acquisition since flotation, is an excellentbusiness and strengthens our position as a provider of specialist IT servicesfor the backup and storage of data. It will be fully integrated into ourexisting Backup and Running business and we are confident that there will be anumber of cross selling opportunities for both companies. These are early days in the development of the Group, but we have £2 million inthe bank and an excellent team of people who are determined to build a highlysuccessful business through carefully targeted acquisitions and strong organicgrowth. We have made a positive start to the current year and I look forward toreporting on more acquisitions as the year progresses and on developments withinour operating companies." For further information: Jeremy Hamer (Chairman) 01904 520840Brendan Austin (Chief Executive) 01904 520840Colin Davies (Finance Director) 01904 520840 Brian Coleman-Smith / Jo Clewlow 020 7053 6400Beattie Financial Rhod Cruwys 020 7626 2244Corporate Synergy BackgroundThe Company was incorporated in June 2003 and in November of that year acquiredAccess Intelligence Limited which owned three businesses, The Marketing Guild,Wired Gov and Backup and Running. The common links between these businesses arethat they provide practical services and advice to small and medium sizedcompanies and public sector organisations. The services provided aresubscription-based and provide a foundation for expansion by means of recurringannual revenues. Further information on the Group's businesses is set out below. The Marketing GuildThe Marketing Guild provides practical marketing help and advice aimed at smalland medium sized businesses. This is delivered through regular newsletters, ahelpline and training seminars for which members pay a fee based on the level ofservice they require. In addition, members have access through the helpline to"MAGiC", a database containing ideas and tactics, which offers strategies tomembers. Wired GovWired Gov provides its subscribers with immediate press releases from thegovernment and other public sector organisations via its website and e-mailalert system. Income is derived from subscriptions and sponsorship. Subscribersto the service can specify from which organisations they wish to receiveinformation and additionally use key word searches. An archive system is alsoavailable. Wired Gov has approximately 10,000 registered users. Backup and RunningBackup and Running provides small and medium sized organisations with a disasterrecovery service for computerised information. The software is made availableunder a licence from Novastor Corporation Inc. The software allows users toconfigure an operating system to specify which files are to be backed up and thefrequency of the routine. The specified information is encrypted then sent to aremote storage facility. The software has several facilities including anarchive facility which allows the user to retrieve all back ups made over a fiveyear period. Backup and Running has approximately 130 customers. StrategyThe Group's ongoing strategy is to establish a portfolio of companies whichprovide information, advice and services to business and public sectororganisations on a recurring revenue basis. The Directors believe that thismodel provides high levels of repeat business and, thus, high quality revenues,together with cross selling opportunities within the Group. This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange