Compaq today acquired full ownership of Twinsoft UK with the intention of improving its ebusiness capabilities.

Compaq, which now wholly owns three out of eight Twinsoft subsidiaries across Europe, said Twinsoft UK will continue to operate independently of Compaq, but as a wholly owned subsidiary, working with Compaq's Services consultants and corporate sales teams. Compaq also wholly owns Twinsoft in Denmark and Germany.

Late last month, Cap Gemini said it had reached an agreement with Compaq to acquire all the remaining shares in two Twinsoft subsidiaries based in Holland and Belgium. Compaq and Cap Gemini had previously held a 50/50 share in six of the eight Twinsoft companies in Europe.

The remaining three are remain jointly owned between Compaq and other companies.

Twinsoft provides consultancy, systems integration and bespoke development and managed services, predominantly on the Compaq Nonstop Kernel Himalaya server operating system inherited from the Tandem acquisition.

It has 500 staff across Europe, 110 of which work in the UK division. Twinsoft officials confirmed today that there would be no job losses as a result of the acquisitions.

David Toso, director of Compaq's Services group, commented in a statement: "Twinsoft's experience with non-stop, mission critical systems will help our customers achieve their ebusiness goals more rapidly, with reduced risk and faster return on their investment."

Kevin McKenna will continue as Twinsoft's managing director. He sees the move as further proof of the continuing strength of the Himalaya market.

"In the last two years we have doubled in size from 56 to 110 staff, demonstrating that the market is thriving," he says. "The acquisition enables us to continue our expansion programme, supported by increased focus from Compaq's management and its credibility in the market."

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