Convergys completes Intervoice purchase

Convergys Corp., which provides business outsourcing services, said Thursday that it has completed its $335 million acquisition of Intervoice Inc., a maker of automated voice response systems.

Under the cash deal which was first announced in July, Cincinnati-based Convergys is paying $8.25 per share for Intervoice _ a 24 percent premium to its closing price the day prior to the deal's announcement.

Convergys says that by integrating Intervoice's speech automation and mobile applications, it will be able to offer an array of automated services.

Dallas-based Intervoice, which has operated in 80 countries, had revenue of $202.4 million in the fiscal year that ended Feb. 28. Convergys expects the acquisition of Intervoice to begin adding to its earnings next year, excluding one-time costs.

"This acquisition is about investing to address the current and future needs of our clients," Convergys President and Chief Executive Dave Dougherty said in a statement.

With 87 call centers and about 75,000 employees, Convergys is the largest teleservices business in the United States, according to Hoover's. Among its customers are T-Mobile USA, which endorsed the Intervoice purchase.

Convergys said Tuesday that it was assessing plans to split off its information management business into a separate publicly traded company, and expects to decide in the fourth quarter.

Convergys expects its revenue to reach $2.85 billion to $3 billion this year.

Shares of Convergys declined 7 cents to $15.96 in midday trading.