Sage Acquires Snowdrop Systems for £17m Payroll World, June 2007 Sage, the supplier of business management software and services to smaller businesses, has bought payroll and HR software specialist Snowdrop Systems for £17m, paid in cash. Snowdrop has more than 700 mid-sized business clients in the UK. The company provides systems for recruitment, personnel, pay and flexible benefits, eHR, training and development, and succession planning. In the full year to December 2006, Snowdrop reported revenues of £7.5m and EBIDTA (earning before interest, depreciation, tax and amortization) of £1.1m. Revenues in the year to December 2006 were up 35% over the prior year. Paul Stobart, chief executive of Sage for the UK and Ireland region, said: 'The acquisition of Snowdrop brings to Sage a portfolio of HR and payroll software solutions for the mid market, complementing perfectly our existing offerings which are predominantly aimed at smaller businesses.' The move reflects increasing demands from customers for integrated human resource and payroll information systems. Snowdrop is stronger in HR than Sage, which offers payroll but has its roots in accountancy. Mr Stobart added: 'Our interest in automating and managing more effectively their HR activities.' Michael Richards, chief executive of Snowdrop, said the move 'means that we can realise our full potential.' He added: 'We will continue to support our existing customers.'