Veenendaal, The Netherlands 1/8/2005 - VAI BV, a supplier of central application management and software packaging solutions for Windows platforms, has been acquired by Austrian-based Brain Force Holding AG, (public), an international systems integrator and supplier of IT and Telecom solutions. Brain Force is active in 9 European countries and is quoted on the Xetra, Frankfurt and Vienna stock exchanges. VAI’s products, hitherto available only in the Netherlands, will now be available across Europe. The acquisition will have no impact on VAI’s customers and existing partnerships, and VAI will continue to deliver their services out of Veenendaal.

Brain Force chose VAI for the strong position VAI occupies in the Dutch market. VAI’s products will also strengthen Brian Force’s market position in other countries. In 2004 VAI’s revenues increased by 23%, to over € 8 Million. Brain Force achieved revenues of € 16 Million in the first quarter of 2005, an increase of 6.4% on the same period in 2004.

Wilko Visser, CEO of VAI stated: "We had already started to approach international markets with our own products and services, and this acquisition accelerates the internationalisation of VAI. This means on one hand the acknowledgement of what we already achieved and of the choices we made, and on the other hand that we now have the strength and potential to achieve our international goals. Brain Force has not been active in the Dutch market up to now. For our customers and partners there will be no change. We will continue on the same level of enthusiasm with delivering solutions which are focusing on decreasing the Total Costs of Ownership of IT Infrastructures".

André Posthuma, Principal of Catalyst Group added : "As soon as we started working with VAI on the process of finding a suitable candidate, it was very clear that the strength of the acquisition would be with an international partner. VAI has proven itself in the Dutch market for many years, and now, joining Brain Force, VAI can export their knowledge and expertise to many other countries as well".