FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULES 13a-16 OR 15d-16 OF
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the month of March 2001
GENESYS S.A.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
LE REGENT, 4 RUE JULES FERRY BP 1145, 34008 MONTPELLIER CEDEX
01, FRANCE (Address of principal executive offices)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F X Form 40-F
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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information
contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the
Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Yes No X
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If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-
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GENESYS CONFERENCING ANNOUNCES THE CLOSING
OF THE ASTOUND ACQUISITION
Montpellier, France - March 28, 2001 - Genesys Conferencing announces today the
closing of the acquisition of 100% of the shares of Astound Incorporated, a
leading provider of Web conferencing and collaboration services.
This acquisition solidifies the relationship that began in the summer 2000 with
an initial technological partnership and strengthened last December with the
execution of a merger agreement.
As a result of the closing, the Astound shareholders will receive exchangeable
shares of Astound, exchangeable at their option into an aggregate of 1,000,000
ordinary shares of Genesys and U.S. $7 million in cash, subject to certain
adjustments, as well as U.S. $3.56 million in cash on January 4, 2002, together
with interest thereon. The Genesys shares received by Astound shareholders upon
exchange of their exchangeable shares will be listed on Euronext Paris.
With this acquisition, Genesys Conferencing strengthens its presence in a market
segment that is, according to Wainhouse Research, forecast to grow at a
compounded annual rate of 89% through 2005 to approximately $3 billion, or
around 26% of the world teleconferencing industry.
Astound's leading edge technology delivers a true multimedia user experience,
while meeting enterprise customers' toughest requirements by delivering the
highest measure of reliability, content, security and solution scalability.
Through the deployment of the Astound technology and the integration of its
team, especially in R&D, Genesys Conferencing will reinforce its technological
leadership in all conferencing services segments encompassing audio, video, data
and web conferencing.
About Genesys Conferencing:
Founded in 1986, Genesys Conferencing is one of the world's leading independent
conferencing specialists : audio conference, data conference, video conference
and webstreaming. Working in a rapidly growing market and enjoying unique
world-wide coverage as a result of its geographic expansion policy, Genesys
Conferencing has established its advanced technology in 16 countries throughout
Europe, Asia Pacific and the United States. Genesys Conferencing is listed on
the Nouveau Marche in Paris (Euroclear code: 3955).
About Astound:
Founded in 1996 and based in Toronto, Astound is a leading provider of Web
conferencing and collaboration services, enabling companies to communicate in
real-time with customers, employees and partners. The Astound Conference Center
is a complete, integrated platform for one-to-one and small group collaboration
as well as large scale Web events. Astound has 100 employees and had sales for
the 12 months ended December 31, 2000 of approximately U.S. $2.5 million.
Astound's services are distributed via a direct sales force to customers such as
Hewlett Packard, Minolta, Lexmark, DLJ Direct, NCR, 3COM and Teklogix.
AT GENESYS
Marine BRUN Florence CATEL
Shareholder and Investor Relations Press Relations
Tel : + 33 4 67 06 75 17 Tel : + 33 4 67 06 27 49
investor@genesys.com florence.catel@genesys.com
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
Dated: March 29, 2001
GENESYS SA
By: /s/ Pierre Schwich
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Name: Pierre Schwich
Title: Chief Financial Officer