Canada's Largest Dedicated Microsoft Dynamics ERP Reseller Secures Position Thanks to Funding From First West Capital

LANGLEY, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwired - April 30, 2013) - Technology and business management solutions provider Encore Business Solutions (Encore) shored up its position as the country's leading reseller of Microsoft Dynamics ERP with the recent acquisition of the RSC Group (RSC). Based in Winnipeg, Encore is a Microsoft Gold certified ERP partner, servicing and supporting a well diversified portfolio of more than 200 clients across Western Canada.

With strong inroads already into Manitoba and Saskatchewan, Encore's acquisition of Vancouver-based RSC enables the company to strengthen its position in the Alberta and British Columbia marketplace.

"Our team is very eager about the acquisition and taking this next step to continue building value for our clients," says Brent Twist, CEO of Encore Business Solutions. "It's been a pleasure working with the First West Capital team throughout this whole process. They were very diligent in their approach to getting to understand our business and growth strategy and dedicated to finding the financing solution that was right for us."

When the former owner and president of RSC expressed an interest in selling the company, Encore was eager at the opportunity to expand their presence in the B.C. and Alberta markets, where RSC primarily operated. Twist adds, "The acquisition is a big step for Encore as we continue to build our presence in the Canadian market. Not only does it broaden the expertise of our existing team and product and service offerings, but it also reaffirms us as an innovator in providing end-to-end business solutions and services to our customers."

After meeting with Twist, Robert Napoli, vice-president of First West Capital was confident that partnering with Encore for this deal was the right move. Napoli says, "Brent Twist and his partner Ken Chartrand have built a leading business solutions service and support company, and the acquisition made sense for all parties, most importantly for customers who will benefit from significantly expanded resources." He adds that the financing partnership with Encore represents more than First West Capital's first funding venture into Manitoba-it's about helping small- and medium-sized Canadian companies to thrive here at home. "It's really a privilege to partner with companies like Encore that are growing their business across Western Canada. I would like to see more companies do the same in our region, to build strength in our interlinked provincial economies."

Encore's status as a Microsoft Gold Certified partner represents the highest level of competence and expertise with Microsoft technologies.

"We're really proud to be an industry leader in delivering expertise on Microsoft's product suite," says Twist. "Our collaborative relationship with the team at Microsoft provides us with early access to new software and specialized technical support and services from the company that has enabled us to further improve our ability to serve our clients."

About Encore Business Solutions

Encore Business Solutions was founded in 1990 and is the largest Microsoft Gold Certified ERP Partners in Western Canada. Encore's team sells, implements, services, and supports Microsoft Dynamics ERP and CRM as well as Business Intelligence solutions to mid-size and expanding enterprises as a Value Added Reseller (VAR). As a Microsoft authorized Independent Software Vendor (ISV), Encore develops and supports flexible and scalable software products that seamlessly integrate with Microsoft Dynamics GP. Headquartered in Winnipeg, Encore also has office locations in Calgary and Vancouver. For more information, visit encorebusiness.com.

About First West Capital

First West Capital is a division of First West Credit Union and is a $100 million fund established to provide subordinated debt and mezzanine financing to small- and medium-sized businesses. Led by Kristi Miller and Robert Napoli, the First West Capital team has more than 25 years of commercial lending experience including 20 years in subordinated debt financing. With on-the-ground knowledge of Western Canadian markets, First West Capital has the advantages of speed and flexibility. For more information, visit www.firstwestcapital.ca.