Denver Hardware Firm to Acquire Durand

By Karen Kaplan

March 20, 1998 12 AM PT

Durand Communications, an Internet software firm in Santa Barbara, said it will be acquired by Denver-based Online System Services for $9.9 million in stock. Andre Durand, chief executive of privately held Durand, said the move will allow the company to deploy its online education and community-building software more quickly to more users. Online System provides hardware for rural cable companies that want to provide broad-band Internet access. Andre Durand, who will remain with the combined company, will split his time between Santa Barbara and Denver, but the company’s 24 employees will stay in California. No layoffs are expected, and Durand said the buyout could accelerate hiring in Santa Barbara. In Nasdaq trading, Online System shares rose 38 cents to close at $10.25.

Technology and the Internet Business

Karen Kaplan

Karen Kaplan covers science and medical research for the Los Angeles Times. She has been a member of the science team since 2005, including 13 years as an editor. Her first decade at The Times was spent covering technology in the Business section as both a reporter and editor. She grew up in San Diego and is a graduate of MIT and Columbia University.

Denver Hardware Firm to Acquire Durand

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