RM has bought Australian education management firm CAZ Software. The buy-out is expected to run to £1.2m, with CAZ becoming part of RM's Asia-Pacific tentacle, headquartered in Perth.

CAZ turned over £1.8m last year, with a profit of £200,000. It makes and sells a product range called Maze and has an existing customer base of 2,600 Aussie schools. RM has 900 school customers down under in two state-wide contracts.

RM CEO Tim Pearson chirruped: "CAZ Software shares RM's commitment to providing innovative technology that helps teachers to teach and learners to learn.

"CAZ will make a great addition to the RM Group, providing us with significant scale in the Australian education management software market - the combination of products, customers and geographical coverage makes us the clear market leader."

RM recently reported "tough market conditions" in the UK.®