Acquisitions in Massachusetts in 2016

Big Bus Tours has acquired Boston-based Smart Destinations, the producer of the Go City Card multi-attraction passes. The acquisition will let Smart Destinations leverage Big Bus' international footprint to launch Go City Card passes in additional destinations while making Big Bus the primary bus tour provider for the passes where both operate.

Anritsu Corporation acquired Azimuth Systems, Inc., a provider of RF channel emulation and real-world wireless performance test solutions, in a deal announced September 29, 2016. Azimuth will become a subsidiary of Anritsu as the buyer integrates Azimuth's IP and product portfolio to expand its 5G/IoT wireless test and measurement capabilities; the purchase price was not disclosed.

Guidewire Software has agreed to acquire FirstBest Systems to expand its underwriting management capabilities for complex commercial, specialty, and workers' compensation lines. The acquisition will integrate FirstBest's underwriting management technology and team into the Guidewire Insurance Platform to strengthen risk assessment, decisioning, and collaboration for P/C insurers in the U.S. and Canada.

CenturyLink acquired certain strategic assets of the company formerly known as Active Broadband Networks to accelerate its network virtualization efforts. The assets — focused on SDN and NFV-based broadband edge solutions — will help CenturyLink automate its network and deliver software-defined networking and virtualized network functions to customers.

EPAM Systems has acquired Dextrys, a Newburyport, Massachusetts-based provider of software engineering and application services. The acquisition adds delivery centers in Suzhou, Shanghai and Guangzhou, strengthening EPAM's delivery capabilities and footprint in China.

Volaris Group (an operating group of Constellation Software) acquired the Operations Support Systems (OSS) business line of Boston-based Active/Advanced Broadband Networks (ABN). The acquired OSS business will become a business unit of Incognito Software Systems, expanding Incognito/Volaris's communications vertical offerings and usage-based billing capabilities for broadband operators.

IBM Security completed the acquisition of Resilient Systems Inc., a provider of incident response software and orchestration technology, integrating the company into IBM Security to expand its incident response capabilities. Financial terms were not disclosed; Resilient's Incident Response Platform (IRP) will be used to help customers automate and coordinate responses to cyber incidents globally.

Verizon Digital Media Services has entered an agreement to acquire Volicon, a provider of video capture, archival, compliance monitoring and clip-creation workflows for broadcasters. The acquisition expands Verizon Digital Media Services' video lifecycle capabilities and brings Volicon's technology and customer relationships into Verizon's OTT and online video delivery offerings.

The Hilb Group, a Richmond-based insurance agency and portfolio company of ABRY Partners, has acquired Hyannis, Massachusetts-based Dowling & O'Neil effective Feb. 1, 2016. Dowling & O'Neil's co-owners Rob Miller and Mark McCartin will continue to lead the 31-employee agency, which expands THG's New England footprint and adds expertise in high-net-worth personal lines and healthcare facility coverage.

Leeds Equity Partners made a control equity investment in Educate 360 Holdings, LLC (Project Management Academy) on December 21, 2015; terms were not disclosed. The investment will provide capital and resources to accelerate growth, expand the company’s professional training offerings, and support organic growth and acquisitions while partnering with founder and CEO John Smith.

Potentia Holdings, LLC has acquired MacDiarmid Machine Corporation, a Newburyport, Massachusetts-based CNC and precision machining business, to join Potentia’s group of metal products manufacturing companies. Founder Scott MacDiarmid will stay through a transition period before retiring; Potentia plans to preserve the business and expand its market reach.