This Story Posted:
April 13th

[3:29 PM]
STF Technologies Acquired By Smith Micro

Smith Micro has announced that it has acquired Mac stalwart STF Technologies. In the move, STF will remain a separate entity, but will function as a wholly owned subsidiary of Smith Micro. The purchase comes in the form of a cash buyout and stock swap for STF. Smith Micro plans on leveraging STF's success in the Mac communication software business to make a big splash with Mac Internet phone calls and video phone calls. According to Smith Micro: STF Technologies will now be operated as a wholly owned subsidiary of Smith Micro Software, Inc. This acquisition establishes Smith Micro as a world leader in the development and sale of Macintosh communications software and enhances the company's current position as a leader in overall PC communications software solutions. Apple bundles STF Technologies' FAXstf™ with Apple products and is working with Smith Micro's STF Technologies Macintosh Division on future product offerings. In related news, Smith Micro's STF Technologies Macintosh Division announced it is developing a Mac® "client" software application for Smith Micro's conexs.com™. conexs.com is an Internet service that gives subscribers the ability to make Internet phone calls, have real-time chat sessions, and even make video phone calls (if they have a camera), at no additional charge. Smith Micro's strategic plan for conexs.com is similar in certain ways to that of the Internet "portals" like Yahoo!®, Excite™, Lycos®, etc.; that is, develop an extremely large installed base and then sell upgraded products, on-line services, and advertising to the conexs.com user base. The STF Technologies acquisition immediately increases Smith Micro's revenues, broadens its customer base, compliments its existing Macintosh product line and positions the company as a leader in the development of solutions for the Macintosh Internet telephony market. With the acquisition of STF Technologies, Smith Micro has a very strong Macintosh team as well as the resources to implement its plan to support the Macintosh fax market and aggressively develop and market Internet telephony solutions for Mac users. The deal will have to clear some regulatory hurdles, but it is not expected to meet any obstacles. The Mac Observer Spin: Smith Micro seems pleased to now have a Mac presence with this acquisition. It is a good thing that they want to move the Mac into the Internet phone and video phone main stream as that is one area where we have enjoyed little support. It is also a good thing that STF will now have more resources to continue their development efforts. It is significant that a non-Mac company acquired a Mac company to bolster their own Mac presence. Smith Micro