Atos Acquires MSL Group to Create Leader in Sports and Major Events IT Industry

Atos, an international IT services company and worldwide IT Partner for the Olympic and Paralympic Games, today announced that it will acquire a 50% stake in MSL Group, provider of real-time results and information systems for major sports events. The deal which is expected to close by 31st March 2012 also includes an option for Atos to acquire the full company of MSL Group.

MSL Group annual revenues are around 15 million Euros. Together the two entities - MSL Group and Atos Major Events - will create within Atos, a leader in the Sports and Major Events IT industry with about 500 specialized business technologists integrating teams of up to 5000 IT experts to support major events.

The deal seals a long term relationship that started with the Barcelona 1992 Summer Olympics. Both MSL Group and Atos Major Events have long term experience in the sports and other events IT industry and offer highly complementary services. Together they will have the expertise and portfolio of services to support medium and large sporting events worldwide from the Tennis Master Series through to the Olympic Games.

Patrick Adiba Chief Executive Officer, Iberia, Olympics & Major Events at Atos, said: "Today's announcement marks a major milestone in our strategy to be the global IT leader for major events. We have a strong heritage in this specialized IT, having delivered 50 successful global events worldwide since 1989.

"By joining forces with MSL Group, we have a strengthened portfolio that will ensure our business technologists can continue to write history for sporting and major events around the world and that as a business we increase our market share as well as value from each deal."

Jose Alberto Jaen, Founder of MSL Group, said: "I am delighted to be working with Atos, a recognized leader in the IT sports industry. Our experience and expertise is extremely complementary and I am very excited that through this deal, we will have the opportunity to support some of the biggest sporting events in the world."

The new combined portfolio provides the full range of services required to stage world class sports events from timing and scoring through to Information Diffusion Systems that distribute the results to international media, news agencies, websites and TV graphics. It also includes Games Management systems, System Integration and Games Times Operations. Atos is supporting delivery of smart stadium solutions for major events, incorporating the key infrastructure and solutions into stadiums or events arenas to make them more versatile for the operators and to enhance the spectator´s experience.

Employees from both MSL Group and Atos Major Events are based in Spain and will start to collaborate immediately on key projects and new developments.

About Atos

Atos is an international information technology services company with annual revenues of EUR 8.6 billion and 74,000 employees in 42 countries. Serving a global client base, it delivers hi-tech transactional services, consulting, systems integration and managed services. Atos is focused on business technology that powers progress and helps organizations to create their firm of the future. It is the Worldwide Information Technology Partner for the Olympic Games and is quoted on the Paris Eurolist Market. Atos operates under the brands Atos, Atos Consulting, Atos Worldline and Atos Worldgrid.

About MSL

For over 25 years MSL Group has successfully worked to provide real-time computerized Results and Information Systems for Major Sports Events, as well as other International and National level events.

MSL Group has provided its services in more than 50 countries and participated in the most important Games such as the Olympics and Paralympics, Asian, PanAm, Commonwealth, Mediterranean, African, Central American and Caribbean, Universiades and a long etcetera. MSL has also worked in many other relevant Events for most of the International Federations.

MSL Group has developed a wide range of products and services including Timing and Scoring Devices, Results Systems, TV Graphics & Character Generators, Commentator Information Systems, Games Management, Ticketing Solutions, and Federation Management tools.