X3 was born in France, which continues to be the manufacturing package's biggest market. The prepared statement by CEO Alain Conrard looks like a fairly solid slap at X3's role and future. "For years, we have been facing strong development of international activities by an important number of our clients," he said. "Their new size and constant search for more efficiency spurs them on to search for a true international solution and true role-tailored expertise as regards both the solutions and the experts put at their disposal. The Sage X3 offering did not match these criteria anymore." Let's see, this is saying that X3 lacks software developer support and people resources and is not providing what international companies need? Ouch. The 4CAD Group, which has six offices in France and one in Geneva, Switzerland, says the deal enables it to strengthen its position as an integrator of IT systems for industrial companies.