AVEVA announced the acquisition of Z+F UK Limited. The strategic acquisition includes only the division of Z+F which produces the LFM software suite. This follows a long and successful partnership with Z+F UK Limited and allows AVEVA to secure an industry leading software technology that significantly expands its offering in the 3D data capture market, while remaining fully independent from laser scanner hardware vendors. As a result of the acquisition, AVEVA will establish a new global 3D data capture Centre of Excellence in Manchester, UK from where it will continue to pioneer the market for 3D data capture, management and automated design software.

The acquisition of the software division of Z+F UK Limited enhances AVEVA’s design automation solutions. One of the immediate benefits will be tighter integration between laser data and AVEVA Laser Modeller, allowing even more dramatic reductions in the time required to create intelligent 3D models. Together with the LFM software suite, the expanded portfolio provides AVEVA with an unrivalled set of design, engineering and information management solutions for the brownfield market.

Dave Wheeldon, CTO of AVEVA, said, “Z+F UK’s strategic direction has been to create innovative software which adds value to laser data captured from any hardware vendor. This is a natural fit for AVEVA and will continue to be the focus for our new laser technology offering. Building on the LFM software suite, our combined solutions will redefine the fundamental rules by dramatically increasing the efficiency of laser data integration for the design and asset management of brownfield projects and operations."

The acquisition brings the LFM suite of products to AVEVA, including the market leading software, LFM Server, which is a hardware- and format-neutral platform that provides an interface for all laser data to the industry’s leading CAD solutions. This platform will underpin AVEVA’s existing suite of solutions which includes AVEVA Laser Model Interface, IntelliLaser and Laser Modeller.

Gary Farrow, director of Z+F UK, said, “We have worked with AVEVA for many years, so this acquisition is a logical next step in our evolution and growth of the software business. We have a shared vision with AVEVA and will be working to capitalise on the increasingly important role of laser scanning technology to the safe, efficient and profitable operation of existing plant assets. Together we will continue to position the LFM portfolio at the heart of a revolution that increases the productivity of creating intelligent 3D models from as-built facilities."

Commenting on the acquisition, Richard Longdon, CEO of AVEVA said, "There is no let-up in the need to extend the life of ageing assets and ensure the highest levels of operational information integrity. Our customers are looking at different data capture techniques to quickly digitise their assets for revamp projects and to introduce 3D models as an intuitive interface to their asset management strategies. Acquiring the software division of Z+F UK will allow us to continue to drive innovation and provide our customers and competitors customers with a set of products that will offer substantial efficiencies and cost savings over currently available technologies."

To find out more about the acquisition, register to attend the AVEVA World Summit at www.avevaworld.com or visit the AVEVA booth at SPAR Europe 2011.