Interleaf to acquire Texcel

Strengthening the union of XML and content management, Interleaf has agreed to acquire Texcel. Terms of the sale were not disclosed, however Texcel projects sales of $11 million for 1998.

"The integration of (Texcel's) Information Manger's Web desktop environment will allow us to deliver a stronger XML-based content management solution earlier than planned," said Interleaf president Jaimie Ellertson.

According to analysts at the Delphi Group, Interleaf has been struggling to reestablish itself in content management. "With the Texcel acquisition, Interleaf will be better equipped to compete in the XML-based content management market."

In addition to adding Information Manager (IM), to its BladeRunner solution, Interleaf acquires an impressive customer list including Boeing Helicopter, Deere & Company, Ericsson, Lockheed Martin, Lucent, Nokia, Philips Communications, Raytheon and SAIC.

Analysts at the Seybold Group were less convinced of the acquisition's impact. "What Interleaf will do with [Texcel's Information Manager] technology is unclear," Seybold said, noting that Interleaf's BladeRunner has content management capabilities of its own.

Seybold was equally critical in terms of new customers. "Interleaf does pick up a few additional customers in technical documentation, but it is not gaining much credibility by piling carrion on top of its own legacy system."

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