QikKids owner TSG to acquire Xplor as it extends its reach into Australian ECEC sector

Transaction Services Group (TSG), a global leader in revenue management solutions and the parent company of QK Technologies, the owner of the QikKids childcare management software platform (CMS), is set to acquire fellow CMS provider Xplor according to customer communications from both parties reviewed by The Sector.  

Xplor, founded in 2015, will be TSG’s second acquisition in the Australian early childhood education and care (ECEC) sector with the Group having purchased QK Technologies in 2017. 

It is understood that, consistent with TSG’s historical approach to managing it’s acquired businesses, that QikKids and Xplor will continue to operate independently and that the deal’s completion is contingent on the receipt of the standard regulatory approvals consistent with a transaction of this nature. 

Business as usual for QikKids and Xplor as their respective strategies remain intact

Within their respective communications both QikKids and Xplor highlighted that it is ‘business as usual’ going forward and that opportunities do exist to collaborate over the longer term in areas such as “sharing of best practice and the creation of new offers that bring the best out of both our solutions” as Scott Loose QK Technologies CEO noted in his letter to customers. 

In particular, Mr Loose referenced the potential to broaden the QikKids Learning and Parent engagement product offer to their customers by including Xplor’s Playground module within the QikKids Ecosystem alongside Trusted Partner Storpark’s offer and their existing My Family Lounge product. 

“The QikKids Ecosystem and Trusted Partners approach is allowing our customers to access best in class learning products including Storypark, giving our customers choice. Xplor’s Playground alongside QikKids’ My Family Lounge will enable us to enhance the sharing of best-in-class Learning and Parent Engagement tools with our customers and families.”

Mr Woodland, Xplor’s CEO, highlighted that he felt that the deal “would have the potential to unlock some enormous opportunities in early years education” and that the “partnership gives us an opportunity to reinforce and carry forward the values that make our platform special –and our mission to make education great.”

Innovation and overseas expansion opportunities also clearly articulated by both CEO’s

As well as the immediate product collaboration combinations, both companies also were clear about the potential that the two businesses, operating side by side with the backing of TSG, would have on their abilities to continue to innovate and ultimately broaden their footprint overseas. 

Mr Woodland noted when referencing innovation that “If anything we will be running faster than we ever have before and expanding beyond “all-in-one” software to create value for any part of an organisation including hiring, managing, and engaging parents and educators.” 

He went on to say that these areas will be the epi-centre of the next wave of technology adopted by their customers “allowing parents and services to fill and find vacancies, support the delivery of shifts to educators and help services manage ratios and supply.”

Mr Loose noted when referencing overseas opportunities that “by bringing these two businesses together, we’re starting our joint journey towards creating a global childcare software leader” and that “we are working hard today to explore opportunities in North America, the United Kingdom and Europe.”

For more information on QikKids and Xplor please click here and here. 

For more information on TSG please click here.