February 4, 2005

Click Commerce just acquired certain divisions of the business of ChannelWave, its partner relationship management (PRM) peer.

Specifically, Click Commerce now owns Channel Wave's channel management and service automation code, along with some of its related customers in the automotive manufacturing, financial services and automotive services verticals.

This is Click Commerce's third PRM acquisition in recent times, following its purchases of Allegis and Webridge.

The company has clearly taken advantage of consolidation in its sector to swallow some rivals and build its own portfolio.

The idea behind this acquisition, says Yankee Group analyst Sheryl Kingstone, is for Click to pick up more customers.

"This isn't as much of a functionality issue, as it was with Allegis," she says. "The name of the game is customers. ChannelWave had some strong wins, particularly in high-tech and telco." This will complement Click Commerce's existing strengths in verticals like chemicals.

Click Commerce will offer further details about the ChannelWave acquisition during its earnings call on February 10.

Source: Line 56