CMG Croma Grp

RNS Number:2117O
CMG PLC
21 July 2000


 CMG plc acquires for #60 million specialist in Customer
     Care & Billing solutions to broaden its global
               telecommunications business
                            
Explosion of mobile services creates need for integrated
data and content charging

CMG plc, the European ICT Services Group, has acquired
Computer Answers International on 20 July 2000.
Computer Answers is a leading developer and supplier of
Customer Care and Billing (CC&B) solutions for the
telecommunications sector with over 230 employees at
operations in the United Kingdom and South Africa.  It
will now become part of CMG Telecommunications,
headquartered in Utrecht, The Netherlands.  CMG
Telecommunications is already a major, global supplier
of messaging and mobile Internet solutions for the
wireless industry with over 200 systems installed
worldwide.

Computer Answers was founded in the late 1980s and has
an established international client list of over 30
telecoms operators and service providers for its EPPIX
product and associated services.  In the year ended June
2000, Computer Answers' preliminary, unaudited results
showed turnover of #16 million (up 40% on the previous
year) with an operating profit of #0.5 million.  The
total cash free / debt free price is #60 million,
payable in cash.  Estimated net operating assets are
approximately #2 million.

Wim Rimmelzwaan, President of CMG Telecommunications,
commented:

    "We have been looking for ways to extend our product
   portfolio with a billing system, as our customers
   increasingly experience difficulty with their
   current CC&B systems when charging for the advanced
   information services CMG enables them to offer.  We
   have found the EPPIX product from Computer Answers,
   installed in over 20 countries worldwide, an
   excellent platform for a powerful billing solution.
   EPPIX will allow operators to charge for network
   usage for pre and post paid subscribers based on
   connection time, data volume and information
   content, in traditional voice as well as data/IP
   networks like GPRS and UMTS.  Furthermore, there is
   little overlap in our respective customer bases
   which allows ample opportunity to provide them with
   greater added value through an increased product
   portfolio."

CMG Telecommunications will invest in further developing
and integrating EPPIX with its SMSC, Mobile Email and
WAP Service Broker products.  The result will be an end-
to-end, data-enabled solution for advanced telco
operators and Internet Service Providers.

Jeremy Brown, Managing Director of Computer Answers
joins the CMG Telecommunications board of directors with
immediate effect.  He added:

    "We are delighted to become part of CMG
   Telecommunications.  It was clear from early
   discussions that both organisations have a very
   clear perspective and commitment to the data
   services market.  With the massive increase in data
   and content, our clients require much more focus on
   the economic aspects of delivering such services and
   our combined product set achieves exactly that.  The
   pace of change across the market will be supported
   by CMG and Computer Answers development centres
   which will provide fast product roll out, delivering
   new functionality for advanced services."
    
Outside Europe, Computer Answers offices in South Africa
and Australia complement the CMG Telecommunications
presence in North and South America, Singapore and
China.  CMG and Computer Answers also both have
distribution arrangements with leading infrastructure
suppliers including Ericsson and Siemens.

CMG plc will announce its financial results for the half
year ended 30 June 2000 on 30 August 2000.


For further information please contact:

Arie Kuijt, Managing Director, CMG Telecommunications,
Tel: +31 (0)30 2339710
Tony Richards, Group Communications (London), CMG plc,
Tel: +44 (0)20 7592 4000
Jan Massier, Group Communications (Amsterdam), CMG plc,
Tel: +31 (0)20 67 20 444
Toby Mountford, Citigate Dewe Rogerson
Tel: +44 (0)20 7638 9571

Websites:     CMG Group
           http://www.cmg.com
         CMG Telecommunications
           http://www.cmgtele.com
         Computer Answers International
           http://www.compans.com



About CMG

CMG plc is a leading Information & Communications
Technology (ICT) services group, providing business
information solutions through consultancy, systems
development & integration, software applications and
managed services.  Established in 1964, CMG operates
from European bases in The Netherlands, the UK, Germany,
France, Belgium, Denmark and Ireland and from Asia
Pacific bases in Australia, Singapore and Malaysia.  The
Group implements and supports applications for clients
around the world and includes a global product business
for mobile telecommunications with support centres in
Europe, the Americas and Asia Pacific.  CMG is listed on
both the London and Amsterdam stock exchanges.

CMG has proven knowledge, products and solutions in the
finance, trade transport & industry, telecommunications,
media, energy, utility and government markets.  The
Group also provides outsourced business services ranging
from payroll processing and personnel administration to
call centres and networked systems.

CMG works alongside its customers to generate success
for them.  Through the quality of its services and the
long term commitment of its staff, CMG adds value to its
customers' businesses and thereby creates a basis for
the Group's long term success.

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