Brightree Acquires CAU
Brightree will continue to support CAU software portfolio for existing users.
- By David Kopf
- Aug 05, 2010
Brightree LLC, which makes business management software for HME, O&P and sleep therapy providers, has purchased HME software company Computer Applications Unlimited (CAU).
“What attracted us to CAU was their solid product lineup, their commitment to excellent customer care, and the quality of their customer base.” said Dave Cormack, president and CEO of Brightree. “Given the continuous pressure on reimbursement rates, the providers who will be around in the future are those that are the best run today. Overall, CAU customers are excellent operationally.”
As part of the deal, which was completed on July 30, CAU will be rolled into Brightree. Brightree’s Vice President of Strategic Services Jana Macon, will work at CAU to help implement the transition.
“We share the same commitment to serve the needs of our customers, help them use technology to be more efficient, and improve their business processes,” said outgoing CAU President and CEO Terry Dinsmore. “Given Brightree’s proven track record of product development and outstanding customer support, I know that my customers will be in excellent hands.”
Dinsmore will stay on in a consulting capacity to help ensure a smooth transition and to be available in case Brightree needs additional help with CAU product or customer needs.
The purchase adds more than 300 CAU customers doing between $5 million and $6 million in revenues to Brightree’s current roll of roughly 1,250 HME provider users. Brightree will support CAU’s complete portfolio of HME software, including their new web edition.
“That’s a customer base that is right in the sweet spot of the Brightree customer,” Cormack says. “Our intention is to support the platform for the foreseeable future. We want to give people choice. We’re not going to do what others have done and force people off of product.”
As part of this commitment, Brightree also announced it has entered into a three-year lease for the existing CAU headquarters facility, and will retain nearly all of its 20-person staff.
“CAU is one of the few companies that has continued to innovate and develop current technologies,” Cormack said. “We will continue to invest in customer care and development for the CAU products.
Additionally Brightree will offer CAU customers the opportunity to switch to Brightree if they choose.
The news comes on the heels of Brightree adding 42 new providers to its system in June, the company’s largest new business month on record. Cormack attributes that to providers seeing HME-specific software as a key tool for thriving in a tough funding market.
“They’re all looking to get off legacy platforms,” Cormack says. “They want to survive. They want to be in this business, and they’re looking for a platform that is going to help them reduce their DSO and improve their operating margins.”
About the Author
David Kopf is the Editor of HME Business.