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If Atlanta-based Harbinger Corp. {HRBC} were a puzzle, then SupplyTech, Acquion, Atlas and Premenos -- the four companies Harbinger purchased in 1997 -- were the pieces that made the picture complete, according to David T. Leach.
As co-founder and chief executive officer of Harbinger, Leach sees last year's acquisition of the four companies as the great finale that transformed Harbinger into an all-around electronic commerce provider. The company, Leach says, now can provide the full array of EDI and electronic commerce services for any trading partner community, worldwide.
Competition among the biggest EDI providers is demanding the emergence of a company that can offer a wide range of EDI and related software and services. Such a company must be able to deploy a complete EDI system for a client, Leach says, as well as being able to integrate it into the clients other computer systems, handle the client's complete network needs and provide top notch consultants.
With Harbinger's puzzle building now complete -- at least for the time being -- the company expects to complete the integration of its acquisitions and to begin reaping some of the higher profits its more well-rounded configuration makes it capable of.
In the following one-on-one interview, Leach spoke to EDI NEWS about Harbinger's flurry of acquisitions and how they fit into the company's strategy: EDI NEWS: 1997 was a busy year for you. Will 1998 be the same?
Leach: I hope not! 1997 was a real aggressive year. We had four acquisitions -- two big ones -- a second public offering which was {for}...