BUSINESS
Big Picture has big plans, says CEO
05-06-2003
by Andrew McLindon
Big Picture Software, which recently bought content management firm Kadius, is set to announce several major deals in the coming weeks, according to its CEO.
Dublin-based Big Picture acquired Kadius for an undisclosed sum in April. Founded in 1998, Kadius was one of the rising stars of the Irish technology sector. It raised over IEP3 million in funding and its customers included the Department of Social and Family Affairs, Exeter City Council, Clare County Council and Gateway Inc. However, the downturn in the industry saw its deal pipeline begin to dry up.
"The pure content infrastructure market was crowded and the downturn meant that companies either wanted turn-key solutions or weren't spending at all. Kadius had strong products, good customers and a great team, but it did suffer in this environment," explained Big Picture's chief executive officer, David Conroy.
Conroy said Big Picture felt that Kadius' products and skills would add to his company's Web services platform, EASE. "I believed that Kadius would help make EASE an even more sophisticated package and help us target the enterprise market, as well as the SME sector," he remarked.
According to Chris Dunne, a co-founder with Ray Richardson of Kadius, the deal with Blue Picture was beneficial because it gave it access to new customers, particularly in the UK, and new products. "There was a good synergy between the two businesses as we had similar products and a similar approach," commented Dunne.
Both Dunne and Richardson have been given senior management roles within Big Picture and the company employs just under 40 people in offices in Dublin and the UK. The acquisition led to the loss of "two or three jobs," according to Conroy.
Currently, the business is concentrating on winning new business, while keeping costs low. In regard to the latter, Conroy said he expected to announce several major deals shortly. These will include a deal with a major UK teleco that will be re-branding and re-selling EASE to SMEs, and a "six-figure" agreement with a British public body.
"We are aiming for reasonable growth and strong cost control. These deals will help build the business further," said Conroy.
Blue Picture is set to introduce an enterprise version of EASE by the end of the year and in July will release an "interim" version of the Kadius K2 solution, which allows organisations to construct software tools that manage complex information management and publishing requirements.
Big Picture was founded in 1999 by Conroy, his brother John, and Paul Cooley. The business aims to help SMEs to e-enable their businesses through a range of its products. It also has a solutions business. Big Picture claims to have over 350 customers.
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