IN a deal sealed on May 18 and finally announced on June 1, AMTECH acquired software company Estimation for an undisclosed sum.

Estimation, the market leader in building services estimating, accounting and contract management software, has been trying to tap further into the electrical market. AMTECH, the market leader in electrical design test and inspection software, says it has been working on bundling both companies' products together and will capitalise on its Estimation's R&D and sales offerings.

AMTECH's head office is based in Milton Keynes and Estimation has a Birmingham head office and another office in Manchester.

A spokesman for AMTECH says the two brands will continue in the short term with both companies' offices running as usual. The company also revealed it is looking to develop Estimation globally.

Estimation's managing director David Bell, who joined the company 20 years ago, will keep his job.

'I am delighted with the move and look forward to working with David Bell and his team', said Mark Tindall, AMTECH's managing director.

He added, 'As a supplier of quality software to the building services industry, it was vital that any group expansion was with a company with quality products and support services, and I am pleased to say Estimation fits this profile very well'.