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This month’s stories

[2001]
[Geac improves]
[Mandarin sales]
[TLC's - Cahners]
[Ex-Libris in Europe]
[VTLS in Tenn]
[Innovative News]
[Sirsi News]
[Surpass for free]
[LASER to close]
[Wings ILL]
[Esprit drop Aurora]
[BTR printable trial]

February 2001

GEAC in control as results improve.

Given the meltdown situation in stock markets generally and profit warnings galore, Geac's 3^rd quarter results are promising.  Payback of loans and an extension of the deadline for credit show confidence. Rumours that the library division has been sold might mean that the Geac name - prominent in the industry for more than 20 years - could disappear from libraries.  The company however seems to have ridden the worst of the storm and is heading for calmer waters.

Other product announcements include BookDATA, and the Lit and Phil to use ADVANCE.

Geac announce improved 3rd quarter performance

TORONTO, Ontario – March 13, 2001 – Geac Computer Corporation Limited (TSE: GAC) announced today the results for the three months ended January 31, 2001. Revenues from continuing operations were $218.0 million during the third quarter compared with $278.3 million during the third quarter last year, and $203.8 million in the second quarter of the current fiscal year. For the nine months ended January 31, 2001 revenues from continuing operations were $634.2 million compared with $708.2 million in the same period in fiscal 2000.  Revenues in both periods exclude sales made from the Banking Systems business that was sold on July 13, 2000.  Details

"Last quarter, we committed to improve operational and financial performance and to strengthen our cash position," said John E.  Caldwell, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The restructuring and cost control initiatives implemented over the past months contributed to measurably improved results.  Going forward, further initiatives will be implemented in a number of our businesses to further focus on our customers and to improve our profitability."

Credit facility extended

TORONTO, Ontario - March 8, 2001 - Geac Computer Corporation Limited (TSE: GAC) announced today that the period for discussions with its banking syndicate relating to its credit facility is extended to April 4, 2001. Following an additional payment of U.S. $3 million, U.S. $37 million remains outstanding under the facility.

BookData choose Geac for ADVANCE Client/Server

Geac has been selected as the library automation partner by BookData Ltd. in the development of their bibliographic services to the library market. The contract will see Geac delivering an ADVANCE Client/Server system based on a Sun server with bespoke developments to support the business plans of BookData.

Book Data was founded in the UK in April 1987, with the principal aim of providing high-quality, enriched information about English-language books published throughout the world. Book Data has now grown to an international operation. It has associations with companies around the world, and in 1997, set up a sister operation in New Zealand - Book Data Asia Pacific - to cover the countries in the Asia Pacific rim.

Book Data is the leading supplier of bibliographic information about English-language books and published media (eg CD-ROM, audio-cassette, video) to libraries and booksellers in the UK and worldwide.  It provides high-quality, content-rich information to the professional book world and supports the sale and use of books.

Lit and Phil choose ADVANCE

The Lit and Phil has selected ADVANCE Client/Server for their new system and plan to go live with their catalogue at the completion of their retrospective conversion.

The Lit and Phil (The Literary and  Philosophical Society of Newcastle upon Tyne, England) is a modern lending library, with a large collection of academic and general non-fiction books. The Library also has a children’s library, an extensive fiction collection, musical scores, records and CDs. There are up to date academic journals and a notable collection of 19^th century periodicals, as well as general interest magazines. Founded in 1793 with the aim of teaching and educating the population of Newcastle upon Tyne and the surrounding areas, the Lit and Phil was one of the pioneers of scientific invention and discovery. Its library, now comprising over 140,000 books, was one of the most important features of the Society from its early days.