Mergers and Acquisitions:

Northgate Information Solutions has entered into an agreement with ARINSO International to acquire a 60.43 percent stake in ARINSO from Jos Sluys, the company's Founder and CEO, for about EUR 375 million. The acquisition has been approved by the management of both the companies and is subject to approval from Northgate's shareholders. Post-acquisition, Northgate is likely to make a public offer to buy the remaining stake in ARINSO. The deal will allow the two companies to strengthen their position in the HR and payroll service market across Europe, the Americas, and Asia Pacific. The combined entity is likely to have an employee base of 6,000 people and will generate revenues worth EUR 700 million.

Dimension Data has acquired an additional 40.1 percent stake in Datacraft Americas Holdings (DCAH), the wholly owned holding company of Datacraft do Brazil, increasing the company's stake to 50.1 percent. Post-acquisition, Datacraft do Brazil will be known as Dimension Data Brazil. The acquisition will enable the company to strengthen its position in the technology markets. The company can benefit from DCAH's expertise in the areas of networking, converged communications, and security in Latin America. The company also aims to enhance its association with Cisco in Brazil through this acquisition.

HCL Technologies has formed an IT alliance with Saba allowing both companies to expand and enhance their offerings across Asia Pacific, Europe, and North America. The alliance aims to offer IT as well as software services to the companies' common customers across various markets, such as media and entertainment, healthcare, financial services, retail, hi-technology, and manufacturing. HCL's back-end IT services combined with Saba's technology will allow the companies to offer a comprehensive package of IT services to their customers.

CDC Software has acquired a majority stake in Vectra Corporation for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition will allow CDC Software to expand its portfolio of offerings in the IT security and service market and strengthen its operations in the APAC region (primarily in Australia). In addition, the acquisition will support the company's consulting and professional services division (Praxa Australia) in Australia.