At the beginning of 2016, iMS GmbH of Mainz, Germany, a software systems provider for real estate management, was acquired by real estate software leader Yardi of Santa Barbara, Calif.. In Germany, iMS is now Yardi Systems GmbH. Yardi’s German operations are now run from Mainz. We spoke to Dr Klaus Grüning, Director at Yardi Systems GmbH, and Richard Gerritsen, Regional Director of Sales Yardi Systems Continental Europe, on the progress of integration. How did iMS employees react to the acquisition news? Grüning: The change from a small German company with 20 employees to an international company with over 5,000 employees certainly requires some reorientation here and there. It is very helpful in this case that Yardi is also a company managed by the owner. CEO Anant Yardi’s visit to Mainz in the week immediately after the takeover dispelled many doubts of employees and restored people’s confidence. How did iMS’ existing customers respond? Grüning: Customers responded differently, as we expected. Firstly, customers are impressed with Yardi’s position as technology leader and its international character. New options such as cloud and mobile computing have met with unanimous approval among iMS customers. On the other hand, they are worried that cuts will affect further development of iMS’ solution and its flexibility. Anant Yardi’s visit and his charisma and trustworthiness vis-à-vis customers was also very helpful. What prompts a global company of over 5,000 employees to have an interest in a German company with a team of just 20? Gerritsen: Yardi, with its Voyager software that was introduced to the German market more than 12 years ago, was already one of the top five companies in the market segment for real estate software. However, in order for an international software company to achieve a large market share...