NCR to acquire Israeli company Retalix for $650 million

The Duluth technology company NCR said Wednesday it will acquire an Israeli software company for $650 million, its second large acquisition as it transitions to selling more software and services to customers.

One of metro Atlanta’s largest companies, NCR, which traditionally sells cash registers and ATMs, is expanding its business to follow changing shopping trends and allow for greater profits.

With the acquisition of Retalix, which has its North American headquarters in Plano, Texas, NCR is able to sell software to retailers that it already sells hardware to. The company was already able to do that for its financial services and hospitality customers, but not for retail.

As with the July 2011 purchase of Alpharetta-based Radiant Systems for $1.2 billion, NCR is expanding its ability to sell technologies that often require a subscription or customization. They allow retailers to better integrate information they get from customers in stores and online.

Retalix’s customers are high-volume, complex retailers like Target and Publix, NCR said in a news release. Radiant Systems’ were primarily restaurants.

The company is paying a 37 percent premium on Retalix’s Tuesday closing price of $21.90 a share. The acquisition is expected to close in the first quarter of 2013.

