Acresso changes name to Flexera

Acresso-FlexeraMark 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.

Published Thu, Oct 8 2009 18:32 by stefan
Filed under: , , , ,

Comments

# re: Acresso changes name to Flexera

Issues with trademark in the Netherlands. Looks like another company used the same name over there.

M.

Thursday, October 08, 2009 11:54 AM by Marco

# re: Acresso changes name to Flexera

This company seems to change it's name as often as it releases product updates. Someone should open an online pool guessing when the next name change will be.

What's in a name?

InstallShield-That made sense, as it described the product.

Macrovision-Sort of made sense, it was a well established brand name that carried some clout.

Acresso-Made no sense, the word didn't seem to mean anything at all (and the logo did nothing to clarify the issue.

Flexera-Maybe we are now in the ERA or FLEXability (or something). I wonder if the new company will have the Flex or if their end-users will have to be able to flex (like bending forward)?

As of this writing, www.flexera.com is not on-line, but Acresso has purchased that domain name.

Thursday, October 08, 2009 11:54 AM by jdm

# re: Acresso changes name to Flexera

There is already an alternative energy company named Flexera.

Anyone want to take a guess which one will actually have a chance at being in a growth industry over the next 10 years?

Thursday, October 08, 2009 12:35 PM by Christopher Painter

# re: Acresso changes name to Flexera

Stephen- The TCB deal closed in April of 2008 not 2004.  

Thursday, October 08, 2009 12:55 PM by Christopher Painter

# re: Acresso changes name to Flexera

Chris - thanks for spotting this. I corrected the typo in the article.

Thursday, October 08, 2009 1:01 PM by stefan

# re: Acresso changes name to Flexera

The fineprint that has been added to the bottom of Acresso's web pages probably gives the reason for the name change:

"Acresso Software and its products are not associated with Agresso software, the Agresso organization, or Unit 4 Agresso."

Agresso can be found at http://www.agresso.com

(Thanks to Christopher Painter for the tip, via twitter)

Friday, October 09, 2009 12:28 AM by stefan

# re: Acresso changes name to Flexera

You failed to mention Globetrotter in your history.

Monday, October 12, 2009 11:51 AM by Tim McCoy

# re: Acresso changes name to Flexera

I'm sorry, but I'm only familiar with the InstallShield side of the history. I don't know much about the other companies that Macrovision acquired before InstallShield.

BTW I do know that there was a history before InstallShield Software Corp. but I didn't want to go too far back in time.

Monday, October 12, 2009 2:34 PM by stefan

# re: Acresso changes name to Flexera

My first introduction to InstallShield was in the summer of 1997 on InstallShield 3 which was then Stirling Software.  I spent about 6 months teaching myself InstallScript while working on rewriting DoD install in IS 5.0.

I think my IS class was around Jan 1997.  Robert Dickau was my instructor and yes, I still have my InstallShield Certified coffee cup. :-)

Monday, October 12, 2009 8:55 PM by Christopher Painter