In a move that’s part of Barco‘s strategy to move beyond display and projection technology, the Belgium-based company announced it has acquired Montreal-based enterprise communication specialist X2O Media for $21 million Canadian.
The acquisition allows Barco “to deliver enhanced and cross-divisional content distribution and workflow, based on advanced networking and connectivity capabilities,” according to a Barco press release.
“X2O Media perfectly complements our offering and skills portfolio, and is an important step in our strategy to expand our portfolio beyond video and imaging,” says Eric Van Zele, CEO of Barco. “Customers’ expectations regarding workflow and content management shift to end-to-end and easy-to-use visualization systems and cloud-based solutions.”
Launched in 2006 as a spin-off from VertigoXmedia, X2O Media offers a platform that “enables the connection, management and delivery of real-time data through dynamic and interactive channels, from any source to any screen.”
X2O, which employs about 40 people, will be integrated into Barco as a business venture, allowing it to continue the development of its platform technology, while also “leveraging its growth from Barco’s worldwide sales and service presence.” X2O capabilities and technology “will be integrated gradually in solutions for all of Barco’s markets,” according to the announcement.
“X2O Media’s platform will play a crucial role in allowing Barco to tap into these new opportunities, while differentiating itself further from competition,” says Van Zele. “The X2O software platform versatility, and its capability to address any display – be it fixed or mobile – will prove to be an important asset and allows Barco to link any content from any media to any device.”
X2O’s platform “establishes real-time visual communications to the right audience, at the right time, on the right device,” and the software “shows a strong match with Barco’s target markets, including enterprise communications, corporate and education, retail and advertising, control rooms, broadcast and healthcare,” according to the announcement.
“We are pleased to be welcomed at a major company like Barco, which will hugely expand our market reach,” says David Wilkins, president and CEO of X2O Media. “Barco is a technology company with a focus on visualization infrastructure and image quality. Adding X2O Media’s application software and workflow-focused capabilities will allow both companies to go to the market with a more comprehensive offering. At the moment, our market is limited to North America, but benefiting from Barco’s global network we will be able to grow our activities worldwide.”
