SoftQuad Software Ltd., a leading developer of XML-enabling technologies, Thursday snapped up content
transformation solution provider Advanced Data Engineering Inc. for about $4.7 million in stock based on
Thursday’s opening price.
ADEi’s solutions enable organizations to convert large volumes of existing data from multiple sources — like
Word, Quark, Pagemaker and Acrobat — into XML.
Under the terms of the agreement, SoftQuad will acquire all outstanding shares of ADEi for about 750,000
shares of the newly issued SoftQuad common stock, subject to post closing working capital adjustments.
SoftQuad said the acquisition will be immediately accretive, and is expected to close this month. The
transaction has been approved by the boards of both companies.
“Structured XML content is the cornerstone of eBusiness application success,” said Roberto Drassinower, chief
executive officer of SoftQuad. “The effective creation of XML content and the transformation of legacy
documents into structured content are key requirements. The combination of SoftQuad’s premier content creation
solution, XMetaL, with ADEi’s advanced content transformation systems uniquely positions SoftQuad to provide
Global 2000 companies with a complete solution for XML content creation and transformation. Our enhanced
capabilities allow us to aggressively pursue strategic partnerships with global systems integrators to
capitalize on the market’s anticipated broad deployment of XML solutions.”
SoftQuad said ADEi’s management team and engineering staff are all expected to join SoftQuad, bringing the
company’s employee total to 105. The company will maintain ADEi’s new office in Petaluma, Calif., near Silicon
Valley, as a strategic services, sales and business development center.
