A finishing touch ADC seeks complete solution by acquiring software management firm >BY CHRIS BUCHOLTZ, Intelligence & Software Editor

ADC Telecommunications Inc. has acquired The Apex group, an information management software company, in a move intended to help complete a mix of services for ADC's systems integration division.

The stock-for-stock acquisition will provide software tools allowing Minneapolis-based ADC to develop standard network management platforms compatible with its own system-level products, such as the Homeworx, Soneplex and Cellworx management systems.

Apex, headquartered in Columbia, Md., will also help strengthen ADC's end-to-end broadband global network deployment solutions. In addition, ADC expects to benefit from The Apex Group's presence in private network applications, providing an expanded market for ADC's systems integration services.

ADC has developed a strong presence in the wireless and wireline transmission worlds. This acquisition is the latest in a series, including the buyouts of base-station manufacturer Solitra and ITS Corp. and the merger with PCS Wireless.

The improved in-house ability to provide management software for customers will be an important "piece to this puzzle" for ADC, said John Schofield, president of ADC's systems integration division. "Apex will become an ADC core competency center for network management software applications." Apex, which employs about 185 people, has focused on architecture-driven solutions ranging from stand-alone applications to distributed network processing and client-server applications for Internet and intranet environments.