The Reynolds and Reynolds Company has announced that it will be expanding its presence in selected markets and penetrating others.

The company announced the creation of a New Markets Group chartered with providing manufacturers, retailers and others with outsourced solutions for Web services, field support services, software, financial services, network services and value-added documents. Included in the group's solutions portfolio is Reydiance, a Web services platform that leverages Reynolds' Automark Web services infrastructure and technology to deliver solutions tailored to meet the needs of manufacturers and their dealers in the selected markets.

The company also announced the acquisition of BoatVentures, a privately held provider of Web-based applications and consulting processes to the marine and recreational businesses.

"Our goal is to create a nimble, aggressive and efficient business unit to drive new business and alliance initiatives," said Lloyd "Buzz" Waterhouse, chief executive officer, chairman and president. "We are confident that the New Markets Group will deliver material, sustainable and value-producing growth by providing genuine strategic value -- not merely a product offering -- for businesses in these areas."

Waterhouse noted that since the beginning of the year, the company has extended its reach into related markets through agreements with several companies including Thrifty Car Sales Inc. and ADESA Corporation

"The flexibility and integration capabilities of our solutions; our leadership position in automotive retail sales technology, service, support and training; and our experience in the transformation aspects of automotive retailing position us to deliver real value for this new set of customers," Waterhouse said.

"We intend to establish a leadership position with the New Markets Group through a dedicated focus and direction. We have already invested in many ways, including by assembling a high-powered sales and management team," he said.

As a key investment in these markets, the company has acquired BoatVentures, a privately held company based in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

BoatVentures is focused on creating a profitable e-commerce experience for manufacturers and dealers of marine, power sport and recreational vehicles, connecting them directly to their customers. It serves six manufacturers and more than 250 dealers. They include Brunswick Corporation's Sea-Ray, Bayliner, Maxum, Trophy and Meridian brands and its MarineMax and Olympic dealer groups. BoatVenture's Branded Flow technology enhances the brand-specific linkages between manufacturers and dealers by providing a consistent Web brand experience between the two in each of the markets Reynolds has targeted. Reynolds has enhanced this capability with Automark Web Services technologies and Reynolds' process-based solutions, according to the company.

"The combination of the Boat Ventures platform with Reynolds' process-based solutions and training capabilities creates a powerful solution for manufacturers and their dealers to identify, satisfy and retain customers," said Doug Ventura, vice president, general counsel and head of the Reynolds New Markets Group. "Reynolds is looking forward to applying its expertise in customer relationship management techniques and its award-winning customer support for the benefit of BoatVentures customers."

Reynolds and Reynolds (www.reyrey.com) is a provider of integrated solutions that help automotive retailers manage change and improve their profitability. With 75 years of experience serving automotive retailing, Reynolds enables car companies and retailers to work together to build the lifetime value of their customers. The company's product, service and training solutions include a full range of retail and enterprise management systems, networking and support, e-business applications, Web services, learning and consulting services, customer relationship management (CRM) solutions, data management and integration, and leasing services. Reynolds serves more than 20,000 customers. They comprise 90 percent of the automotive retailers and virtually all car companies doing business in North America. Its CRM consulting practices span more than 20 countries around the world.