West Country Business Systems (WCBS) has acquired Abattia which has provides webALUMNUS alumni management tool to 130 educational institutions on a software-as-a-service basis.

Tony Child, WCBS's Managing Director, said: "The acquisition builds on the success of Abattia's team since 2000 in developing the innovative and unique webALUMNUS service, and in growing a strong, robust business now established as UK market leader in hosted alumni management software."

Abattia [1]'s Managing Director, Benjamin Van Every, said that the acquisition would enable further product development and improved customer support.

WCBS, a provider of school management systems, has been producing business software for education since 1984. It has "a large number of common customers" with Abattia.

Last year Abattia introduced a Friends Reunited plugin to enable schools, colleges and universities to reach even more alumni. It had also developed WA-Fundraising, a hosted fundraising and donor management database.

www.wcbs.co.uk/news/44 [2]