SciSys

SciSys was a pan-European software and information-technology services company that operated primarily in the United Kingdom and Germany. Established in 1980 as Science Systems, it developed from a specialist technology business into a diversified provider of software engineering, systems integration and technology consultancy. Its activities covered information and communications technology, e-business, web and mobile applications, newsroom and editorial systems, broadcasting software, satellite and space-related systems, and advanced technology services for public- and private-sector customers. The company changed shape several times through acquisitions, reorganisations and a major demerger. Science Systems acquired CODA, an accounting-software business, in 2000. The group holding company was subsequently renamed CODASciSys plc in 2002, reflecting the importance of the CODA operation. In 2006, CODA was separated as an independently listed company. The remaining technology-services business adopted the SciSys name, creating a clearer identity around its scientific, engineering and information-technology capabilities. SciSys expanded its German presence in 2007 through the acquisition of VCS AG, a Bochum-based provider of software, computer systems and telecommunications technology for broadcasting as well as satellite-related public- and private-sector work. The German operation was renamed SCISYS Deutschland GmbH in 2012, while the United Kingdom operations were also rebranded SCISYS. These changes consolidated the group under a common brand and made the company’s media, broadcast, space and technology activities more visibly connected. Further acquisitions broadened the portfolio. In 2012, the company purchased the space-market elements of MakaluMedia. In 2014, it acquired Xibis, a web and mobile-development specialist. In 2016, it acquired ANNOVA Systems GmbH, whose OpenMedia newsroom computer systems strengthened SciSys’s position in media and broadcast software. The group also reorganised its German operations, moving the Media & Broadcast division from Bochum to Dortmund in 2017 while retaining Bochum as the German headquarters and base for the space division. In 2018, SciSys moved its group headquarters to Ireland, a decision associated with the political and regulatory uncertainty surrounding the United Kingdom’s departure from the European Union. Despite its UK origins and continued UK operations, the group maintained a distinctly cross-border structure, with important activities in Germany and other European markets. SciSys ceased to operate as an independent listed company after CGI acquired it in December 2019. The transaction ended the standalone SciSys corporate brand as a public company, although its capabilities and operations became part of CGI’s wider IT and business-consulting organisation.

SciSys originated in 1980 as Science Systems, a UK technology company focused on specialist software and systems work. The business later developed into a broader information-technology and software-services group with operations in the United Kingdom and Germany. Its work spanned software engineering, communications technology, digital applications, broadcasting, media systems, satellites and space-related projects. A major turning point came in 2000, when Science Systems acquired CODA, an accounting-software company. The enlarged holding company changed its name to CODASciSys plc in 2002. This structure did not remain permanent: CODA was demerged as a separately listed business in 2006, and the remaining operations adopted the SciSys name. The change marked a renewed focus on the group’s technology-services and specialist engineering activities. SciSys expanded in Germany in 2007 by acquiring VCS AG, a Bochum-based company active in broadcasting software, computer systems, telecommunications and satellite services. The former VCS business was renamed SCISYS Deutschland GmbH in January 2012. Later that year, the UK operations were also brought under the SCISYS branding. The unified brand helped present the British and German businesses as parts of one international technology group rather than as separate operating identities. The group continued to build sector expertise through targeted acquisitions. In October 2012 it bought the space-market elements of MakaluMedia. In December 2014 it acquired Xibis Limited, adding web and mobile development capabilities. In November 2016 it announced the acquisition of ANNOVA Systems GmbH, a specialist provider of media and broadcast software best known for the OpenMedia newsroom computer system. This transaction strengthened SciSys’s role in editorial workflow and newsroom technology. Operational changes accompanied the acquisitions. In 2017, the German Media & Broadcast division moved from Bochum to Dortmund. Bochum remained the German headquarters and the base of the space division. In 2018, the group headquarters moved to Ireland, a step widely associated with the expected consequences of Brexit and the company’s cross-border European structure. SciSys remained a publicly traded company for much of its later history, with shares traded on London’s Alternative Investment Market and the European Smaller Companies Market. Its activities were organised through operating companies including SCISYS UK Ltd, SCISYS Deutschland GmbH, SCISYS Media Solutions GmbH and Xibis Ltd. In December 2019, CGI acquired the group. The acquisition brought SciSys’s people, technology capabilities and customer relationships into CGI and ended SciSys’s independent corporate and listed-company status.

1. 2019Acquired by CGI

   CGI acquired SciSys in December, ending the group’s independent corporate existence.

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2. 2018Headquarters moved to Ireland

   SciSys moved its group headquarters to Ireland during the period of Brexit uncertainty.

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3. 2017German Media & Broadcast relocation

   The Media & Broadcast division moved from Bochum to Dortmund.

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4. 2016ANNOVA Systems acquired

   SciSys acquired ANNOVA Systems GmbH and its OpenMedia newsroom software.

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5. 2014Xibis acquired

   The group acquired web and mobile-development company Xibis Limited.

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6. 2012German and UK operations aligned under SCISYS

   The VCS business and UK operations were brought under the SCISYS brand.

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7. 2012MakaluMedia space assets acquired

   SciSys acquired the space-market elements of MakaluMedia.

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8. 2007VCS AG acquired

   SciSys acquired German broadcasting and satellite-systems specialist VCS AG.

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9. 2006CODA demerger and SciSys rebrand

   CODA became separately listed, while the remaining business adopted the SciSys name.

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10. 2002CODASciSys name adopted

    The group holding company was renamed CODASciSys plc.

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11. 2000CODA acquisition

    Science Systems acquired accounting-software company CODA.

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12. 1997Shares listed on AIM

    Science Systems shares were admitted to London's Alternative Investment Market.

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13. 1980Science Systems was formed

    The company that later became SciSys was established as Science Systems.

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SciSys positioned itself as a specialist software and technology-services partner for technically demanding sectors, combining software development and systems expertise with domain knowledge in media, broadcasting, space, satellites and public services. Its portfolio was differentiated less by a single mass-market product than by tailored solutions and long-term project delivery for institutional and enterprise customers.

• OpenMediaNewsroom computer system

  OpenMedia was the newsroom computer-system platform associated with ANNOVA Systems, acquired by SciSys in 2016. It supported editorial planning, newsroom workflows and the preparation and management of media content for broadcast organisations. Its addition strengthened SciSys’s Media & Broadcast portfolio and gave the group a recognised software offering alongside its broader systems-integration and technology-services work.

• Space and satellite systemsSpace technology

  SciSys provided software, systems and technical services for space and satellite customers. These capabilities included work inherited and expanded through the VCS acquisition and the purchase of MakaluMedia's space-market activities. The space division was based in Bochum after the German Media & Broadcast division moved to Dortmund, reflecting the importance of the site to SciSys’s specialist space operations.

• Web and mobile applicationsDigital application development

  Through its Xibis business, SciSys offered web and mobile-development expertise. These services complemented the group’s existing e-business, information and communications technology and custom software capabilities, enabling it to deliver digital applications for organisational and enterprise customers rather than focusing only on infrastructure or specialist scientific systems.

• Broadcast and media solutionsBroadcast technology

  SciSys developed and supplied software, computer systems and telecommunications solutions for broadcasting and media organisations. The portfolio expanded through VCS AG and ANNOVA Systems and included newsroom, editorial and broader broadcast workflow technologies. The Media & Broadcast division operated from Dortmund after its 2017 relocation.

• 2019Acquisition by CGIM&A

  SciSys was an independent listed software and IT-services group with operations in the UK and Germany.

  What changed. CGI acquired SciSys in December 2019.

  Aftermath. SciSys ceased to exist as an independent listed company and its capabilities became part of CGI.

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• 2018Headquarters relocation to IrelandStrategy

  The group operated across the UK and continental Europe while the consequences of Brexit remained uncertain.

  What changed. SciSys moved its headquarters to Ireland.

  Aftermath. The company retained major UK and German operations while using Ireland as its group headquarters until its acquisition by CGI.

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• 2016Acquisition of ANNOVA SystemsM&A

  SciSys sought to expand its media and broadcast software capabilities.

  What changed. The group acquired ANNOVA Systems GmbH, provider of the OpenMedia newsroom computer system.

  Aftermath. SciSys strengthened its editorial, newsroom and broadcast-technology portfolio.

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• 2012Unified UK and German brandingStrategy

  The group had UK operations and a German business acquired from VCS AG operating under different names.

  What changed. The German business was renamed SCISYS Deutschland GmbH and the UK operations were rebranded SCISYS.

  Aftermath. The operating businesses were presented under a common SCISYS identity.

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• 2006Demerger of CODA and adoption of the SciSys identityStrategy

  After acquiring CODA and operating under the CODASciSys name, the group separated the accounting-software business from its remaining technology operations.

  What changed. CODA was demerged as a separately listed company, and the remaining business became SciSys plc.

  Aftermath. The remaining group concentrated its identity on specialist software, systems and technology services.

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• 2019CGI acquired SciSys

  CGI acquired SciSys in December 2019, ending SciSys’s existence as an independent listed technology-services group.

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• 2018SciSys moved its group headquarters to Ireland

  The group moved its headquarters to Ireland amid uncertainty associated with the pending Brexit process.

  Regulation
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• 2017Media and Broadcast division moved from Bochum to Dortmund

  SciSys relocated its German Media & Broadcast division to new offices in Dortmund while retaining Bochum as the German headquarters and space-division base.

  Other
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• 2016SciSys acquired ANNOVA Systems

  The acquisition of ANNOVA Systems GmbH added the OpenMedia newsroom computer-system business and expanded SciSys’s media and broadcast software portfolio.

  M&AProduct generation
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• 2014SciSys acquired Xibis

  The company acquired Xibis Limited, a web and mobile-development firm, broadening its digital application capabilities.

  M&A
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• 2012VCS business renamed SCISYS Deutschland GmbH

  The former VCS operation was renamed SCISYS Deutschland GmbH as part of a broader integration and brand-alignment programme.

  Leadership change
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• 2012SciSys acquired space-market assets from MakaluMedia

  The group acquired the space-market elements of German company MakaluMedia, strengthening its space-sector offering.

  M&A
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• 2012UK operations adopted the SCISYS brand

  SciSys rebranded its UK operations under the SCISYS name, aligning them with the German business.

  Other
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• 2007SciSys acquired VCS AG

  The company purchased Bochum-based VCS AG, expanding its German broadcasting, telecommunications and satellite-related capabilities.

  M&A
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• 2006CODA was demerged and the remaining business became SciSys

  CODA was separated as a separately listed company, after which the remaining technology business adopted the SciSys name.

  Other
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• 2002Group renamed CODASciSys plc

  The holding company adopted the CODASciSys name following the CODA acquisition.

  Other
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• 2000Science Systems acquired CODA

  The company acquired CODA, an accounting-software business, significantly changing the composition of the group.

  M&A
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• 1980Science Systems was established

  The company that later became SciSys was formed under the name Science Systems, beginning its development as a specialist technology and software business.

  Other
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1. SciSys