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History of Pentamedia Graphics Ltd.

1976

- The Comp. was incorporated on 5th May, at Chennai as a private limited Comp. under the name Pentagon Agency & Consultancy Pvt. limited to manufacture & trade in consumer durables & electronic items such as Airconditioners, UPS, Water heaters, Stabilisers etc. and rendering consultancy services in respect of project finance, administration. The Comp. was supplying these products to reputed companies including Spencer & Comp. Limited, for marketing in their brand name.

1985

- The name of Comp. was changed to Pentagon Agency Private Limited on June 5th. The Comp. also took-up the business of leasing and hire purchase operation for above consumer products, besides export of finished leather items to USA with the companies overseas contacts.

1991

- The name of Comp. was changed to Pentafour Software & Exports Pvt. limited on 27th February. The Comp. was converted into a public limited Comp. on 15th May. The name of Comp. consequently changed to 'Pentafour Software and Exports Limited'. Fresh certificate of incorporation was obtained on 15th May. After the issue the main business of Comp. will be Computer Software Development primarily aiming at the export market. The Comp. was promoted by Sri V Ramakrishnan & his associates.

1994

- The Comp. issued Rights Equity Shares to the existing shareholders, for total value of Rs.949 lakhs at a premium of Rs.15 per share.

- The Comp. has allotted 20,000 Zero Interest Redeemable Non-Convertible Debentures of Rs. 100/- each alongwith detachable Warrants to the Promoters on 25th October & the warrants were converted into 20,00,000 No. of Equity Shares of Rs. 10/- each at a premium of Rs. 90/- per Share on 5th April 1995.

1995

- The Comp. has introduced a novel concept of 24 hours computer center to enable every one to have an easy reach to a computer and learn the desired application.

1996

- The projects & products executed were in the areas of banking, manufacturing, insurance, year 2000 conversion, Edutainment & films and broadcasting on IBM, open & multimedia systems. The Company developed more than 60 titles to be developed on CD for international market.

- The Comp. has tied-up with Eastman Kodak, for setting up of film scan & film print facility, as part of its expansion plans for its Digital Imaging Center.

- The Comp. has also signed an MoU with the Department of Electronics, Government of India, for authoring of O, A, B & C level courses offered by DOEACC & in the setting up of accredited course centers in all major cities & towns in India & SAARC countries.

- The Comp. has also signed up with Apple Computers Inc., as its first Developer University partner in the Asian region.

- The Comp. has issued 39,00,000 No. of Equity shares underlying GDR @$3 per GDR amounting to US$ 11.7 Million.

1997

- Pentafour has set up regional offices in Coimbatore, Hyderabad, Mumbai & Calcutta.

- Pentafour Software, becomes the first Indian software Comp. to go the GDR route. With the listing in the Luxembourg SE, they become the first Indian software Comp. to be listed & traded in an international stock exchange.

- Pentafour has recently tied-up with Kodak for their Cineon range of products to bring provide digital facilities to the entertainment industry. The facility will be the only one of its kind in India.

- The company software development centre, a 100 per cent EOU, at Kelambakkam, near Chennai will be focussing more on banking, insurance and manufacturing segments & on multimedia titles, 2D/3D projects and special effects for film & television.

- Pentafour Software has received the award for Best New Market Penetration from Tata-IBM for their success in marketing IBM AS/400 solutions to the education sector.

- Pentafour Software and exports Ltd has signed a memorandum of understanding [MoUs] with the department of electronics accreditation of computer courses [DOEACCs] to jointly produce interactive educational software.

- An memorandum of understanding was signed between Pentafour & the Gujarat Industrial Development Corporation [GIDCs] last year.

- Pentafour was also contemplating a joint venture with a Thailand company to set up a software development park in Bangkok.

- The Comp. has also received the Sectoral award in recognition of highest export in panel from Electronics & Computer Software Export Promotion Council & New Market Penetration - 1996 award from IBM.

- The CD-ROM plant in Kelambakkam has been fully commissioned & 23 CD titles on interactive tutorials, games, stories & reference titles have been released.

- Pentafour Software & Exports Ltd [PSELs], the third largest software exporter, has set up a task force to sell its products & services, especially CD-ROMs, through Internet by having its own web servers in various countries.

- Pentafour Software & Exports Ltd [PSELs] has tied up with System Software Associates India [SSAIs] for marketing of Business Planning and Control System [BPCSs], an Enterprise Resource Planning [ERPs] product of SSAI.

- It recently set up a 200,000 sq. ft software development park & a 50,000 sq. ft digital imaging studio & CD-ROM factory.

- Pentafour may also be one more Indian Comp. after NIIT & HCL to get involved in the Malaysian Multimedia Super Corridor [MSCs] project.

1998

- Pentafour Software holds shares in companies like Pentafour Products, a diversified company, Pentafour Solec Technology & Pentafour Communications. - Chennai-based Pentafour Software & Exports Ltd has been recommended by KPMG Quality Register for ISO 9001 certification for scope of analysis, design, development, installation & support of computer software projects & products in the industry segment of business applications, multi-media, Internet, etc.

- The company CD plant has also been recommended for ISO 9002 certification. Pentafour Software had recently bagged the Best Business Partner - AS/400 sales & Best partner for New venture, from IBM.

- To address the year 2000 challenge, in India & abroad, Pentafour Software & Exports Ltd, has set up Y2K training centres in Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Calcutta & Hyderabad, to train over 2000 Y2K professionals every year.

- The Comp. proposes to pre-pay its foreign currency loans first despite the fact that it has adequate cover against currency fluctuations by virtue of its software export operations.

- PSEL has set up an interactive internet team to focus on bringing interactive technology on the Net using JAVA, VRML, CGI & Quicktime.

- The city-based Pentafour Software & Exports Ltd [PSELs] is setting up a nationwide backbone network of high-powered IBM mainframes to spearhead its thrust into interactive cable TV.

- The Comp. Tied-up with System Software Associates for their flagship product BPCS.

- The Comp. received 'Sectoral Award' given by Electronics & Computer Software Export Promotion Council [ESCs], Govt. of India.

- The Comp. has issued the second tranche of GDR of 35,32,100 GDRs @ 3.16 US$ per GDR aggregating to US$ 11.16 million.

- The Comp. also allotted 2 lakhs, 14.75% Redeemable Cumulative Preference Shares of Rs. 100/- each, thus making the total Redeemable Cumulative Preference Shares issued to Rs. 4 crores.

- The Comp. has entered into an agreement with National Securities Depositary Limited [NSDLs] to facilitate the holding & trading of the Company share in electronic form.

1999

- CD-ROM manufacturing unit is engaged in pre-mastering, mastering and replication of CD titles for which the Comp. provides software and undertakes orders from other clients.

- PENTAFOUR Software and Exports Ltd has placed 29,30,000 equity shares of Rs 10 each at a price of Rs 700 a share on preferential allotment basis aggregating Rs 205 crore. Of the 29,30,000 shares, 21 per cent were allotted to FIIs, 28 per cent to FIs, 27 per cent to OCBs & 24 per cent to mutual funds.

- Pentafour has also entered into an alliance with Microsoft under which the latter would undertake to market the products developed by Pentafour.

- Second in the software industry, Pentafour Software has emerged as a winner in software development.

- The Comp. had set up a research & development facility in Pune.

- The Comp. is also working with Ricoh Inc of Japan to develop XEF [Extended ERP Frameworks] base interfaces. Pentafour has inked an agreement with CTG Inc, one of IBM preferred vendor.

- Indian multimedia major Pentafour Software and Exports has been ranked third by Ronacerelli Report of computer animation industry for this year. The report has ranked the US-based Lucas Digital as the number one animation Comp. while Disney Studios has been ranked second.

- Pentafour is the only Comp. from the Asia Pacific region in the top 10 ranking. The benchmark annual report of computer animation company is prepared by Pixel Animation Directory.

- 'Animasia Singapore & Kingdom Animasia -- a subsidiary of Animasia Singapore were jointly acquired by Pentafour Software.'

- Pentafour Software and Exports Ltd [PSELs] proposes to hive off its business software division & transfer it as a going concern to Pentafour Communications Ltd.

- Pentafour Software and Exports Ltd [PSELs] is set to enter the internet broadcasting arena with the live broadcast of music concerts during the Music Festival currently on in Chennai.

- It has also entered into collaboration agreements with certain institutions to promote multipurpose hospitals.

- Pentafour Software & Exports has tied up with US-based entertainment major Iwerks Entertainment Inc for making simulation ride films.

- The Comp. has also entered into a strategic alliance with High-Tec, Bahrain & Newsman in Saudi Arabia to achieve greater penetration in the shortest possible time.

2000

- Pentamedia Graphics Ltd, & US-based 3dMax Media Inc, a Web 3-D animation company, have formed a 50:50 joint venture which will develop digital animation software to produce 3-D animation movies.

- The Comp. & Modi Entertainment Network have entered into a joint venture to deliver animated software to the world market, especially for television & the Internet.

- Indian multimedia & entertainment software firm Pentamedia Graphics Ltd, launched an Internet broadcast service.

- Pentamedia Graphics launched an internet broadcasting entertainment portal `numtv.com' targeted at non-resident Indians across the globe.

- The Comp. tied up with other TV channels, including Raj TV, CNBC, Sony, Gemini, Udaya & Surya to provide content for this portal.

- The Comp. Chennai-based entertainment graphics company, has been awarded the 'Best Software Exporter'.

- The Comp. has received the best software exporter award from the Ministry of Commerce-Federation of Indian Exports. Organisation.

- Chairman & CEO of PentaMedia Graphics, Mr V Chandrasekaran has been selected as `UWA Man of Year by United Writers' Association, Chennai.

- The Comp. has been awarded SEI-CMM level 4 certification from the KPMG Quality Registrar. It is the first multimedia Comp. in Asia to achieve level 4 certification.

- The Comp. has signed a technical & marketing agreement with EVSB, Malaysia, the executors of E-Village on September 7 to set up a joint competency centre on multimedia technologies.

- The Comp. will issue 90,000 No. of equity shares to G. V. Films for acquiring internet broadcasting rights for 2,000 south Indian film titles held by latter.

- Entertainment graphics major Pentamedia Graphics has signed an MoU with would enable the Comp. to become a strategic partner with Infocomm Development Authority, Singapore for enhancing Singapore's Interactive Broadband Multimedia industry.

- The Rathikant Basu-promoted television Comp. Broadcast Worldwide has entered into an understanding with entertainment graphics major Pentamedia Graphics to stream its channels on the Internet through numtv.com.

- The Comp. has signed a MoU as a strategic partner with the Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore to enhanceSingapore IBBMM [Interactive Broadband Multimedia industrys].

- The Chennai-based entertainment Comp. Pentamedia Graphics has entered into a business alliance with Nasdaq Japan listed Creek and River Co limited [C&Rs], Japan.

- The Comp. has entered into a business alliance with Creek & River Co. Ltd, Japan, to provide animation & special effects with higher production speed & cost-effectiveness in Japan.

- Multimedia major Pentamedia Graphics Ltd has signed a letter of intent to pick up 51 per cent stake in US-based Film Roman, a leading producer of television animation programmes for $15 million.

- The Comp. obtained the shareholders' approval to hive-off its webcasting division, NumTV.com into a separate company.

- Pentamedia Graphics has acquired three companies Media Dreams, Krish Srikkanth Sports & Entertainment Ltd & Mayajaal [Hotel Whaless].

2001

- The Comp. has issued 35,19,296 No. of Equity Shares at a price of Rs 500/- each on 22.12.2000 under preferential allotment basis by stock swap method to acquire 100% stake in Media Dreams, Mayajaal, & Krish Srikkanth Sports & Entertainment as valued by SBI Caps.

- Chennai-based Pentamedia Graphics Ltd., has acquired Improvision Corporation, California, USA in an all stock deal Pentamedia has issued 3.3 million Global Depository Receipts at the rate of $6 per underlying equity share US $19.8 million for 100 per cent of improvision Corporation USA, according to the company press release. -The board of directors of Pentamedia Graphics, at a meeting on the July 13, approved the allotment of 12.7 million GDRs at the rate of $1.50 per GDR for cash to investors, as advised by Investment Banking Division of Amas Bank, Geneva.

- Indian animation software Comp. Pentamedia Graphics on September 25 said it had asked 107 creative professionals to leave for 'underperformance' but that some were protesting against the decision.

- Petamedia Graphics Ltd has announced the changes in the directorship of the company. According to a statement from the company, Mr G. Venkatesh Babu has been appointed as Additional Director & Chief Operating Officer & Ms Usha Ganesharajah as Additional Director, both with effect from August 3, 2001.

- The Bombay Stock Exchange [BSEs] has suspended trading in the shares of Pentamedia Graphics from October 4 till further notice.

- India leading animation & special effects software firm Pentamedia Graphics plans to invite strategic investors to buy stakes in its subsidiaries.

2002

-Transfer 7m GDRs valued at $14 mn to Numtv Mauritius to itself.

-Writes off its investment in Pentasoft Technologies & distribution rights worth Rs.550 cr.

-Mr G Venkatesh Babu, Director resigns from the Directorship of company.

-Allots 74,95,829 bonus shares of Rs.10 each.

-Appoints Mrs Padma Suresh as the Compliance officer & Comp. Secretary of company.

-Gets nomination of its 3D animation film 'Alibaba & 40 thieves' with other six animation films for Oscar Award.

2003

-Allots 50,00,000 non-cummulative optionally convertible redeemable preference shares of Comp. of Rs.10 each.

-Receives notice from Bank of India for defaulting on the outsourcing amount worth Rs. 36 cr to the public bank.

-Appoints Mr S D Vishwanathan as the Additional Director on the Board of company.

-Floats a sports complex named, 'The champs sports village' at the cost of Rs.7 cr at the outskirts of Chennai.

-Board approves for allotment of Shares of Rs.10 each at Rs.11.36 per share & warrants to be converted into equity share within 18 months on preferential basis.

-Debt Recovery Tribunal orders the Comp. to hold back the transfer of shares worth Rs.40 cr.

-Receives approval from Ministry of Information & Broadcasting for setting up its own earth station & teleport for uplinking five channels by hiring transponder space.

-Releases its fourth full-length 3D animated feature film Son of Aladdin costing $3.6 mn.

-Acquires Silversans Beach Resort near Chennai for Rs 20 crore