Web Hosting Provider Hostopia Acquires Assets of Nexthaus, Inc.

HostReview.com
Thursday, May 3, 2007; 08:11 AM

Web hosting provider Hostopia.com Inc. has acquired all of the software assets of Nexthaus, Inc., a US-based developer of leading-edge software applications for mobile devices, in accordance with a definitive agreement. The acquired software uses wireless communications to synchronize data between computers and mobile devices, such as calendar and contact updates from a desktop to a smart phone. The information on a user's mobile phone is also automatically and remotely stored, which means that such information can be easily transferred to a new phone or recovered if lost.

Hostopia's CEO, Colin Campbell states, "We plan to fully integrate these advanced mobile synchronization and back-up features with our existing wholesale email and web service offerings, on a bundled and stand-alone basis. We also plan to license the technology to customers in new categories, such as managed email service providers and wireless carriers looking to enrich their product offerings with our mobile synchronization technology."

Mr. Campbell further stated, "Nexthaus has leading applications that enable seamless, automated data transfer between PCs, the web, and mobile phones. With the rise in popularity of smart phones like the Blackberry, more and more subscribers are looking to link their calendars and contacts to the web and their email client. We believe that this innovative technology will significantly increase mobile phone users' productivity, protect their data and offer additional billable services to mobile carriers."

Subject to the terms of the agreement, Hostopia acquired the software assets of Nexthaus in an all cash transaction of USD $950,000 plus performance incentives and earn outs of up to $200,000, plus 15% of revenues received from the acquired assets for 3 years following today's date. Key Nexthaus personnel will be employed by Hostopia to help integrate the technology and participate in its future development. Nexthaus co-founder and President, Leif Petterson comments, "Nexthaus developed the world's first 100% Java-based SyncML wireless technology, which enables unmatched interoperability between devices. We are very excited by the new distribution and development opportunities that Hostopia's investment brings to this powerful application software."

It is management's intention that the acquired software assets will become part of Hostopia's operations. Hostopia will focus on launching mobile applications through its existing customer base of more than 330 communications service providers, which include telecommunication carriers, cable companies, internet service providers, domain registrars, and web hosting service providers. In addition, Hostopia plans to continue providing and supporting services to customers that had entered into agreements with Nexthaus, prior to Hostopia's acquisition of the software assets.