LexisNexis(R) Acquires Interface Software to Bring More Powerful CRM Products to Legal and Professional Service Markets

LexisNexis(R) Acquires Interface Software to Bring More Powerful CRM Products to Legal and Professional Service Markets

Companies to provide client development applications to increase returns

DAYTON, Ohio, Dec. 13 /PRNewswire/ -- LexisNexis U.S., a leader in legal, news and business information services, has acquired Oak Brook, IL-based Interface Software, Inc., the leading provider of client relationship management (CRM) products to legal, and professional services firms in the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia, the companies announced jointly today.

"This acquisition reinforces our ongoing commitment to provide law firms and other professional services organizations, with a complete portfolio of products and services that help them manage their businesses for growth and a better return on investment," said Lou Andreozzi, chief executive officer and president, LexisNexis North American Legal Markets.

"Customers will be the ultimate beneficiaries of this deal," said Nathan Fineberg, chief executive officer and president of Interface Software. "By combining the Relationship Intelligence capabilities of our market-leading CRM platform, InterAction(R), with superb content from LexisNexis, we can deliver the types of client development solutions that firms need to drive revenues, enhance client service and differentiate themselves from the competition."

Reed Elsevier (NYSE:ENL)(NYSE:RUK), parent company of LexisNexis, will acquire all outstanding shares of the privately held Interface Software. Current officers, management team and employees of Interface Software will remain at the Oak Brook, Illinois location. Terms of the agreement are not disclosed.

Benefits for Law Firms

The synergies of the combined entity are numerous. As law firms increasingly adopt corporate business practices, they are using more sophisticated information technology to carry out their growth strategies, target their marketing efforts and improve returns.

LexisNexis provides additional leading client development and practice management technologies including LexisNexis(R) Martindale-Hubbell(R) and court information from the market-leading LexisNexis(R) CourtLink(R).

"InterAction is the de facto Relationship Intelligence standard for law firms and similar relationship-based organizations. Backed by the global information resources of LexisNexis, we are ensuring an evolution path for InterAction that will continue to meet the ever-changing needs of our customers," said Fineberg.

Interface Software's InterAction provides the relationship intelligence that law firms need to strengthen and leverage client relationships, manage matters more effectively and enhance marketing and business development activities. More than 70 percent of the largest law firms in the U.S. (the "AmLaw 100") and 38 percent of the United Kingdom top 50 law firms rely on InterAction to help them find, win and retain clients. Interface Software has enjoyed consistent growth since the launch of InterAction in 1996. The company has been profitable since 2002.

"The InterAction CRM platform is another important step in the LexisNexis strategy to provide its customers with products that go beyond our comprehensive Total Research System," said Andreozzi. "Among our recent moves supporting that goal are the acquisitions of Time Matters and Billing Matters workflow software and the Applied Discovery(R) Web-based electronic discovery services."

Benefits for Professional Service Organizations

The acquisition brings two very strong brands together to supply the premium products and services critical to the success of other professional service vertical markets in which InterAction is sold. As a leading global provider of original and aggregated content, LexisNexis delivers a diverse spectrum of corporate intelligence from more than 24,000 news and business sources.

Interface Software has achieved significant traction in the consulting, venture capital, private equity, investment banking, accounting and other professional service vertical markets. Its success is based on an intimate understanding of the unique business model of these industries and of the executive-level professionals who use the technology.

"Both organizations have distinguished themselves through winning corporate cultures and commitment to quality, innovation, customer service, and research and development," said Kurt Sanford, chief executive officer and president, LexisNexis Corporate and Federal Markets. "We view this deal as strategic. By joining forces with Interface Software, we will enhance the ability of service professionals worldwide to manage their practices more effectively, and develop stronger and more profitable client relationships."

"We understand that professionals prefer InterAction over other CRM platforms because it delivers the Relationship Intelligence content they need, when they need it, on their platform of choice," said Fineberg. "With access to the broad spectrum of content and practice management technology offered by LexisNexis, InterAction customers now have one global resource for all their client development needs."

About LexisNexis

LexisNexis(R) ( www.lexisnexis.com ) is a leader in comprehensive and authoritative legal, news and business information and tailored applications. A member of Reed Elsevier Group plc (NYSE:ENL)(NYSE:RUK) ( www.reedelsevier.com ), the company does business in 100 countries with 13,000 employees worldwide. In addition to its flagship Web-based Lexis(R) and Nexis(R) research services, the company includes some of the world's most respected legal publishers such as Martindale-Hubbell, Matthew Bender, Butterworths, Les Editions du JurisClasseur, Abeledo-Perrot and Orac.

In the United States, LexisNexis Total Research System ( www.lexisnexis.com ) offers an extensive range of online and print legal and regulatory information products, tools, customized Web applications and critical filing services that help legal professionals reach confident decisions and comply with the law.

About Interface Software

Interface Software is the leading provider of CRM solutions enabling professional services firms and similar relationship-based organizations to create the Relationship Intelligence they need to generate new business and enhance client service. Its flagship product, InterAction, is a flexible and uniquely designed platform that delivers this Relationship Intelligence throughout the organization, quickly, efficiently and cost-effectively. Relationship Intelligence is a firm-wide asset that reveals the unique and complex connections between people, companies, relationships, experience and expertise, empowering professionals to leverage who and what they know to uncover new revenue opportunities, differentiate themselves from the competition and enhance client service. InterAction is Internet-enabled, allowing professionals to view information however they choose -- through knowledge management platforms, corporate portals, intranets, extranets and wireless devices.

Interface Software has received numerous accolades, including the Inc 500, the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 50 for Greater Chicagoland, the Deloitte & Touche Technology Fast 500 and the Upside Hot 100. For more information please visit Interface Software's website at http://www.interfacesoftware.com/ .


Source: LexisNexis

CONTACT: Judi Schultz of LexisNexis, +1-937-865-7942, or
judith.schultz@lexisnexis.com ; or John S. Lipsey of Interface Software,
+1-323-650-3540, or jlipsey@interfacesoftware.com

Web site: http://www.lexis-nexis.com/
http://www.interfacesoftware.com/
http://www.reedelsevier.com/


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