Jan/Feb 2006

Belgravium Technologies, one of Britain's leading data acquisition hardware producers, has made its second acquisition in three months, taking over mobile software developer Novo ivc of Leamington Spa from Finnish-based owner WM-data.

Novo specialises in sales and stock control systems for passenger travel - notably on-board retailing and the backup that goes with it. Its flagship products are its SkyPos and TrackPos software systems. The company claims to have been the first to introduce portable computers in such applications, as well as the first with related technologies such as infra-red.

Among existing customers are some major names in air and retail travel, including Alpha, Jet 2, KLM, Lufthansa, Qantas and GNER. It builds its systems round the TouchPC range of handheld terminals from TouchStar Technology, which Belgravium acquired in October.

Novo managing director Bernard Swindells, who is staying with the company, says that joining the same family as TouchStar will enable the two organisations to work more closely together, and adds: "The net result will be a constant stream of innovative solutions for our existing and future customers."

Belgravium says the development advances its expansion in vertical markets.

• Following the integration of TouchStar Technologies into the Belgravium fold, the company has announced "dramatic" price reductions on some of its mobile devices. It says they arise mainly from the better buying terms it can now negotiate with suppliers. Price cuts of up to 25 per cent are mentioned.