SSA Global

In 1981, a 26-year-old named Roger E. Covey founded System Software Associates (SSA) from his home, aiming to provide an integrated software solution for every stage of a manufacturing operation. The company’s core product was the Business Planning and Control System (BPCS), a suite of software for manufacturing, distribution, and financial operations. SSA primarily targeted mid-sized manufacturing companies. The company grew rapidly, going public in 1987 and establishing a global presence. A key part of the strategy was growth by acquisition. Over the years, SSA acquired numerous companies, including Baan, EXE Technologies, and Epiphany, expanding its product offerings into areas like customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management. This aggressive acquisition strategy was a hallmark of the company, which restructured and became SSA Global in 2000. A pivotal event in SSA Global's journey occurred in 2006. In a rapidly consolidating market, the company was acquired by Infor Global Solutions for approximately $1.4 billion. At the time of the sale, under the leadership of CEO Michael Greenough, SSA Global had become a major player in the enterprise software space. The acquisition by Infor created the third-largest enterprise applications vendor, behind SAP and Oracle, combining two highly acquisitive companies into a single entity with revenues of around $1.6 billion.