DUBLIN-BASED enterprise resource planning (ERP) software provider Aspera is to invest €1.4 million over the next three years as it seeks to gain a foothold in Britain.

Established in 1987, Aspera set up a sales and customer service division in Solihull, Birmingham, earlier this year and is aiming to increase its UK turnover of €1 million in 2010. Its niche focus is mid-sized ERP applications in manufacturing, food processing and distribution companies. It also provides integrated customer relationship management and business intelligence systems.

As part of its planned expansion, Aspera has acquired the manufacturing sector customer base of business software firm AlphaGen for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition gives Aspera 35 ERP customers which combined will generate a €500,000 annual revenue stream for the company.

Aspera, which employs 21 people and had a turnover of €1.75 million in 2008, said its new investment was being part-financed through AIB under a €100 million special fund provided by the European Investment Bank.

“In recent times we’ve gotten more than our share of the ERP market in Ireland but recognised that we had peaked here, which is why we decided to expand into Britain through partners,” said Aspera’s managing director Lonan Byrne.

“By coincidence, we were asked if we’d be interested in acquiring AlphaGen’s customer base and it was the ideal time for us to say yes to the deal as it fits perfectly with our expansion plans,” he added.