UNIT4, the global business software group, today announced it will merge its two North American business operations - UNIT4 Business Software and UNIT4 Coda - effective January 1, 2013.

Jeremy Roche

The combined unit, to be known as UNIT4 Business Software, will continue to offer an award-winning suite of products, including Agresso Business World, its flagship ERP suite for mid-sized organizations, and the Coda Financials financial management software. In addition, UNIT4 along with Salesforce.com, are the primary investors in cloud-based financial and accounting software company FinanicalForce, which at one point was known as Coda 2 Go.

The new UNIT4 Business Software will operate out of its existing offices in Victoria, B.C., Manchester, N.H., and Lakewood, Colo.

“The two business units are performing well and have had a successful track record in attracting and retaining customers in key industries throughout North America. As they have grown, it became apparent that they could leverage their strengths even more effectively as one unit,” said UNIT4 board member and FinancialForce.com chief executive Jeremy Roche. “The combined UNIT4 Business Software gives us greater market presence and reach, allowing us to better serve our North American customer base. It also makes it easier for multinational customers to understand and purchase our solutions more easily.”

Shelley Zapp, of British Columbia-based UNIT4 Business Software, will serve as CEO of the combined organization. Meanwhile Steve Pugh, CEO of Manchester, N.H.-based UNIT4 Coda Inc. will act as president in an advisory capacity for the first half of 2013, after which he will retire from the company.

“Shelley has 13 years with the company, and has led her division to double-digit growth in recent years,” said Roche. “Together [Pugh and Zapp] will work to make the new UNIT4 Business Software an even more important contender in the North American marketplace.”

Learn more at www.unit4.com.