Prescient Merges With ViaLink

Prescient Systems Inc. and The ViaLink Co. have completed a stock-for-stock merger to form Prescient Applied Intelligence Inc., which will offer technology for managing retail supply chains.

The new company, which launched on Monday, combines Prescient's demand-planning technology with ViaLink's e-commerce technologies that include scan-based trading.

Jane Hoffer, former president and chief executive of Prescient, holds the same posts in the new company. Bob Noe, former chief executive of ViaLink, will serve as a board member of PAI, headquartered in West Chester, Penn.

PAI plans to offer technology for managing information from the point-of-sale throughout the entire retail supply chain. The company's products include Retailer-Centric Solutions for suppliers and Collaborative Commerce Solutions for retailers.

"By coupling our award-winning retailer-centric solutions with top-notch demand visibility and advanced commerce solutions, this merger is truly a win-win-win for our retailer clients, our supplier clients and the consumer," Hoffer said in a statement.

About 60 percent of PAI's revenues are generated from subscription services and other recurring revenue streams such as maintenance. The merger will provide near-term synergies and incremental cross-selling revenue opportunities that are expected to significantly improve operating performance and drive revenue growth, PAI officials said.