The Sector Specialist

IRIS extends its award-winning IRIS Exchequer portfolio with 5 Star acquisition

15 Aug 2008

IRIS, one of the fastest growing and now the largest privately owned software business in the UK has announced the acquisition of 5 Star Computer Systems Ltd, a leading reseller and partner of the multi award-winning financial management system for mid-sized organisations, IRIS Exchequer.

Headquartered in Kent and founded in 1994, 5 Star Computer Systems has established an excellent reputation for the quality of its customer service and the delivery of expert consultancy to medium sized companies using business and accounting systems in South East England.

This is a significant move for IRIS as it underscores the investment it is making in the IRIS Exchequer system, sales of which are increasing by 15% year on year, in terms of its development and in the implementation and support of the product.

IRIS Exchequer is rated best mid-range software product for business by the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW 2006) and is the three times winner and current holder of the title ‘Financial Software Provider of the Year’ in the FD’s Excellence Awards held in association with the CBI. Its customer retention rates of 95% year on year are among the highest in the industry.

The business will join the growing portfolio of the IRIS Accounting & Business Solutions division which comprises the mid-market ERP systems, IRIS Exchequer and IRIS Chorus and the project management solutions, IRIS PROJECTminder and IRIS SharpOWL. The division is headquartered in Bournemouth with offices in Brighton, Barnstaple, West Bromwich and Norwich.

The founders, Andrew and Graeme Clarke will remain actively involved in the operation and will focus on delivering business benefits to customers through IRIS Exchequer with access to the support and resources of the wider IRIS group. Stuart Dawson, Managing Director of IRIS Accounting & Business Solutions commented:

“We are delighted that 5 Star is joining forces with IRIS as they have been the number one reseller of IRIS Exchequer for some years and a valued business partner since 1999. Their expertise in the implementation, support and bespoke development of the IRIS Exchequer product will be invaluable moving forward. Customers are already benefiting from the expansion of IRIS allowing them to implement fully integrated specialist systems from a single vendor with IRIS Exchequer at the heart of the system. As always, our emphasis will be very much on ensuring ‘business as usual’ for the customer base"

Founded 30 years ago, IRIS is one of the fastest growing and now the largest privately owned software business in the UK. It has revenues of c£120m pa and c1,200 employees servicing over 60,000 UK businesses from a national network of offices.

Read moreFind out more about IRIS Exchequer