Avanade to Acquire eConnex, a German-Based Microsoft Dynamics CRM Services Firm

Customers in Europe to Benefit From Avanade's Increased CRM Capabilities


SEATTLE, WA and KRONBERG, GERMANY--(Marketwire - Oct 5, 2011) - Avanade, a business technology solutions and managed services provider, today announced a definitive agreement to acquire eConnex, a leader in Microsoft Dynamics® CRM consulting services with deep expertise in industries such as healthcare, industrial equipment and hospitality. The completion of this acquisition will significantly strengthen Avanade's Microsoft Dynamics CRM capabilities in Europe. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Ashish Kumar, president of Avanade Europe, Africa and Latin America, said, "Avanade is innovating with enterprises every day, and Microsoft Dynamics CRM is at the core of transforming their customer relationships with ease and speed. In acquiring eConnex, our customers will benefit from unmatched skills in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, deep industry expertise, innovative solutions and greater deployment options including cloud-based capabilities. Avanade and eConnex will make a powerful combination to help customers realize results."

Upon close, the integration of eConnex will enable Avanade to offer a broader range of Microsoft Dynamics CRM services, solutions and delivery models, including on-premises and cloud-based deployments, to customers throughout Europe. It will also position Avanade as a strong player in the mid-sized enterprise marketplace, a fast-growing segment for technology services. Additionally, the eConnex acquisition will bring in-depth xRM capabilities, which use Microsoft Dynamics CRM as an application platform to build a rich variety of relationship management solutions.

Alexander Eck, CEO of eConnex, said, "To help our customers take even greater advantage of Microsoft technology we realized we needed a partner who shared our vision for Microsoft and matched our culture of excellence. After careful due diligence, we recognized that Avanade's global scale, dedication to Microsoft, shared goals and reputation for delivering results made it the right partner and the right choice for eConnex."

eConnex was founded in 1996 and has quickly grown to become a leader in Microsoft Dynamics CRM, achieving Microsoft Gold Partner status in 2006 and membership in Microsoft's elite President's Club for Microsoft Dynamics in 2010. With more than 100 CRM projects completed in industries such as Products, Communications & High Tech, Chemicals and Healthcare, eConnex has delivered projects for some of the leading companies in the region, including Nikon GmbH, Konica Minolta, Pentax, TUI Cruises, Telegärtner, Hobby Wohnwagenwerk, Nordex SE, Gigaset, Bayerischer Rundfunk and many others.

CRM software ranks high on the list of investment priorities of many executives because of its value in helping organizations maintain closer relationships that lead to more profitable growth. Avanade is the leading business technology services provider for dedicated Microsoft Dynamics CRM. Avanade has more than 600 Microsoft Dynamics CRM consultants globally, and has deployed more than 120,000 seats. Avanade offers customers flexible deployment options, scalable systems, industry solutions and broad skill sets. Avanade is a Microsoft Gold competency partner for Microsoft Dynamics CRM and was named Microsoft Dynamics CRM partner of the Year in 2009 and 2010.

About Avanade
Avanade provides business technology solutions and managed services that connect insight, innovation and expertise in Microsoft® technologies to help customers realize results. Our people have helped thousands of organizations in all industries improve business agility, employee productivity, and customer loyalty. Avanade combines the collective business, technical and industry expertise of its worldwide network of experts with the rigor of an industrialized delivery model to provide high quality solutions using proven and emerging technologies with flexible deployment models-on premises, cloud-based or outsourced. Avanade, which is majority owned by Accenture, was founded in 2000 by Accenture LLP and Microsoft Corporation and has 13,000 professionals in more than 20 countries. Additional information can be found at www.avanade.com

About eCONNEX
eCONNEX consults, implements and operates CRM and XRM systems based on the standard software Microsoft Dynamics CRM in Germany and Europe. The majority of the customers are market leaders and belong to the industry sectors High Tech & Electronics, Machine Construction, Health and Non-Profit Fundraising. With over 50 employees in Kiel, Hamburg and Nuremberg eCONNEX is one of the leaders in this market segment.

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