Mark Bishof, President and CEO of Acresso Software, today informed customers that the company will change its name to Flexera Software effective October 12, 2009. They plan to issue a formal press announcement about this on October 13. But in his e-mail he already hinted about the reason:
"Under the new corporate brand, Flexera Software, we can fully market, service, and support our products in all geographies where we do business today and where we plan to over the coming years."
So maybe the word "Acresso" has some negative connotations in some language or country, or maybe there were legal or trademark issues.
However, according to the e-mail, "this corporate branding change should be transparent" to customers, and except the name nothing will change.
This is the second name change for the maker of the InstallShield, InstallAnywhere, AdminStudio and FLEXnet product families within 19 months. Here's a brief history:
- In July 2004 Macrovision Corp., makers of FLEXnet and multimedia copy protection products, acquired InstallShield Software Corp., makers of InstallShield and AdminStudio.
- In June 2005 Macrovision also acquired InstallShield's former competitor, Zero G Software, Inc., makers of InstallAnywhere.
- In April 2008, Macrovision's software business unit was sold to private equity firm Thoma Bravo under the name Acresso Software.
- On October 13, 2009 Acresso Software will be renamed to Flexera Software.
By the way: In July 2009 the remaining Macrovision Corp. was renamed to rovi Corporation.