Sybiz

Sybiz is an Australian enterprise software company founded in 1981, providing ERP, accounting, HR, and payroll management solutions. Its products target small and medium-sized enterprises, with a strong presence in Australia and New Zealand. Sybiz aims to help customers improve operational efficiency through localized support and services.

Sybiz was founded in 1975 in Australia by Malcolm and Pegy Boyd. The company initially developed applications for Hewlett-Packard calculators, reflecting the early personal and small-business computing market. It soon broadened its activities into microcomputer business software and produced an integrated accounting system called Sybiz. This move established the company’s long-term concentration on software for organisational administration and financial control. In 1991, Sybiz gained recognition at COMDEX in Las Vegas for the release of an accounting program for Microsoft Windows 3.0. The product was described in reference material as the world’s first accounting program for that Windows release. The milestone was significant because it connected integrated accounting functions with Microsoft’s emerging graphical desktop environment and helped distinguish Sybiz in a rapidly changing business-software market. Ownership changed in 1998, when Softline acquired Sybiz. Softline was later acquired by The Sage Group in 2003, making Sybiz part of Sage’s broader software portfolio. In 2004, Sybiz initiated legal proceedings against Advanced Business Manager Pty Ltd, alleging copyright infringement involving its flagship accounting program. The litigation did not produce a reported judicial determination in the available material; the parties settled the case out of court. Sybiz returned to Australian ownership in 2005 through a management buy-out. The post-buy-out leadership identified in the available account included Grant Argy, responsible for research and development, and Ben O’Brien, responsible for finance and services. The change restored the company’s local ownership while retaining its established business-software focus. The company pursued international expansion partly through ownership of regional distribution operations. In 2008, Sybiz acquired Revolution Systems, its New Zealand distributor. This strengthened its operational presence in New Zealand and reduced reliance on an independent distributor in that market. In 2015, Sybiz acquired its distributor in Ireland and rebranded the operation as Sybiz Europe. The company consequently developed offices in Adelaide, Auckland and Dublin, while continuing to sell through channel partners across several additional markets. Sybiz’s contemporary portfolio is described around two principal products: Sybiz Vision and Sybiz Visipay. Vision serves as an integrated ERP and business-management platform, while Visipay addresses payroll and associated human-capital requirements. The products are aimed at medium-sized and larger businesses across a range of industries. Its channel model supports operations in Australia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Fiji, Ireland and the United Kingdom. The available reference material does not provide a verified current chief executive, detailed ownership information after the management buy-out, financial results, employee figures or a precise founding location. Sybiz is nevertheless identified as an active Adelaide-based Australian software company.

1. 2015Irish operation rebranded as Sybiz Europe

   Sybiz acquired its Ireland-based distributor and rebranded the operation as Sybiz Europe.

   Source
2. 2008New Zealand distribution acquisition

   Sybiz acquired its New Zealand distributor, Revolution Systems.

   Source
3. 2005Management buy-out restores Australian ownership

   Sybiz returned to Australian ownership through a management buy-out.

   Source
4. 2004Copyright proceedings against Advanced Business Manager

   Sybiz commenced proceedings alleging copyright infringement involving its flagship accounting software; the matter was later settled out of court.

   Source
5. 2003Softline acquired by The Sage Group

   The Sage Group acquired Softline, indirectly bringing Sybiz into the Sage ownership structure.

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6. 1998Acquisition by Softline

   Softline acquired Sybiz.

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7. 1991Windows 3.0 accounting product recognised at COMDEX

   Sybiz received acclaim at COMDEX Las Vegas for an accounting program for Microsoft Windows 3.0.

   Source
8. 1975Sybiz founded

   Malcolm and Pegy Boyd founded the company, initially developing applications for Hewlett-Packard calculators.

   Source
9. First integrated Sybiz accounting system released

   After entering microcomputer business software, the company released its first integrated accounting system under the Sybiz name.

   Source

A specialist provider of integrated ERP, accounting, payroll and human-capital software for medium-sized and larger organisations, delivered through an international channel-partner network.

• Sybiz VisionEnterprise resource planning and business-management software

  Sybiz Vision is one of Sybiz’s two core products. It is positioned as an integrated business and enterprise resource planning system for medium-sized and larger organisations. The platform is intended to bring financial and operational administration into a unified software environment and is sold across multiple industries through Sybiz’s channel-partner network. The available reference material does not specify a complete module list or current release details.

• Sybiz VisipayPayroll and human-capital-management software

  Sybiz Visipay is Sybiz’s payroll and human-capital-management offering. It is designed for organisations requiring software to support payroll administration and related employee-management processes. Visipay forms the second core product in the company’s portfolio and is marketed internationally through Sybiz’s partner network. Publicly available reference material does not provide a verified launch date or detailed current feature set.

• 2015Acquisition and rebranding of Irish distributorM&A

  Sybiz continued its strategy of expanding control over overseas distribution operations.

  What changed. Sybiz acquired its Ireland-based distributor and rebranded it as Sybiz Europe.

  Aftermath. The transaction supported Sybiz’s European presence and its Dublin office operations.

  Source
• 2008Acquisition of Revolution SystemsM&A

  Sybiz sought to expand its international operating and distribution footprint.

  What changed. The company acquired its New Zealand distributor, Revolution Systems.

  Aftermath. The acquisition strengthened Sybiz’s direct presence in New Zealand.

  Source
• 2005Return to Australian ownership through management buy-outStrategy

  Following ownership by Softline and then the Sage Group, Sybiz changed ownership in a management buy-out.

  What changed. Management acquired the business and returned it to Australian ownership.

  Aftermath. The company continued operating as an Australian software provider, with Grant Argy associated with research and development and Ben O’Brien with finance and services.

  Source

• 2015Sybiz acquired its Ireland-based distributor and created Sybiz Europe

  Sybiz acquired its Irish distributor and rebranded the resulting operation as Sybiz Europe.

  M&ALeadership change
  Source
• 2008Sybiz acquired New Zealand distributor Revolution Systems

  The acquisition expanded Sybiz’s direct presence and distribution capability in New Zealand.

  M&A
  Source
• 2005Sybiz returned to Australian ownership through management buy-out

  A management buy-out restored Sybiz to Australian ownership and was associated with leadership by Grant Argy and Ben O’Brien.

  M&ALeadership change
  Source
• 2004Sybiz pursued copyright case against Advanced Business Manager

  Sybiz began court proceedings alleging that competitor Advanced Business Manager Pty Ltd had infringed copyright in its flagship accounting software. The dispute was settled out of court.

  Lawsuit
  Source
• 2003Sage acquired Softline

  The Sage Group acquired Softline, indirectly placing Sybiz under Sage ownership.

  M&A
  Source
• 1998Sybiz acquired by Softline

  Softline acquired Sybiz as part of the company’s transition into a larger software group.

  M&A
  Source

1. Sybiz