U.K. contact-management system to integrate with investment-analysis suite. Asset-allocation and investment-analysis software maker Strategic Financial Solutions (SFS) has acquired Whittaker Garnier, a British information-management provider for the alternative-investment industry. SFS says it plans to make Whittaker Garnier's Microsoft Outlook-based contact- and document-management system part of its PerTrac software suite, resulting in “the industry's only integrated offering of front- and middle-office solutions.”

The companies aren't disclosing details of the agreement.

Fully aligned

SFS's president and CEO Gerry Mintz says his firm bought Whittaker Garnier to increase its clients' operational efficiencies and to "improve their investment-management toolsets" by introducing an "integrated workflow" product that complements PerTrac. "We are providing proven solutions to our customers and have positioned SFS to better satisfy the unique needs of the investment industry," he adds.

Daniel Simpson, CEO of London-based Whittaker Garnier, says he and his colleagues keen to be part of SFS. “The recognition, reputation and market share enjoyed by PerTrac was instrumental in our decision to join forces,” he says. “Both [SFS and Whittaker Garnier] are dedicated to improving operational efficiencies for the alternative investment community, and our commitment to continuing that effort is fully aligned.”

The Whittaker Garnier deal comes about six months after venture firms Insight Venture Partners and Salmon River Capital, both of New York, completed their acquisition of Reno, Nev.-based SFS.

SFS' PerTrac is used by more than 1,500 clients, including banks, brokerages, consultants, plan sponsors, family offices, investment managers and funds of funds. -FWR

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