Applix Standing Out from the Crowd

Although the remaining independent performance management quadrant vendors are fewer in number, there ARE some interesting plays out there for companies, purely from a technology stand point. Applix is one such company. Their TM1 product has made the short list of acquisition targets from Palo Alto to Paris, from Stamford to Sunnyvale. But for some reason companies have never been able to pull the trigger.

We get one clue why some may be reluctant from this article on investing site Motleyfool, which takes a look at the great success Applix is having in the marketplace right now--increased earnings, growing top line and maintenance revenue, and continued customer acquisition.

The down side of all this, purely in terms of acquisitions, is that their value. While rated by the Fools as a 5-star pick, the multiples of the stock when compared to the revenue stream are hard to swallow. That it's trading at its 52 week high is great for stockholders, but not as great for the vultures out there.

Still, if there's one remaining independent performance management pure-play that has a chance, now due in part to their liquidity, it's hardly a "fools" (woo fools get it?) errand to think that Applix may be the one.