The takeover is part of a 1m investment to bolster Shuttleworths position in the printing, continuous forms and label sectors.

Joint managing director Andy King said: We will continue to provide service and support for Jenem users as we progress with our product development strategy.

He said he admired Jenems product line and that the best parts of its technology would be incorporated into future Shuttleworth products.

Existing Jenem users will be brought under the Shuttleworth umbrella and have been promised an enhanced service.

The support infrastructure we can offer Jenem users will be improved as a result of the acquisition. We will be able to build on current levels of customer service and support through our helpdesk, web-based systems, training and user groups, said King.

Shuttleworth is assessing how best to integrate Jenem into the business and how to integrate its 14 employees. Kettering-based Shuttleworth will retain Jenems Ampthill premises for the foreseeable future.

The Shuttleworth MIS can be supplied with management information, finance, e-commerce, production, supply and sales and marketing modules.

King said he believed that the consolidation of MIS companies was part of an ongoing process as the sector reached maturity.

Story by John Davies

Pictured: Andy King