Computerland and Prokom to fight over Softbank?

According to undisclosed sources, a special team from software integrator Computerland (CL) is working on the technical aspects of merging with its competitor, Softbank. This might spoil the planned takeover of Softbank by Gdynia-based Prokom, CL's biggest competitor on the Polish market. "The talks are still at a preliminary stage, but merger procedures may be c ommenced as early as this year," said the source. Meanwhile, CL's managing director, Slawomir Chlon said, "Anything can happen in business. All market players are under our constant observation, but we are not taking any specia l steps." Softbank president Aleksander Lesz claims he received no merger pr oposal from CL. "Our shareholder, Prokom, is our natural partner. If we were conducting talks with any potential investor, we would have informed Prokom' s management," said Lesz. The Gdynia-based company invested in Softbank two years ago and neither company has achieved any incentives from this source. "The president of Softbank refuses to comment on the talks with CL during th is phase, as this would result in a negative reaction from Prokom," added th e informant. One of the analysts claims that Softbank and CL might achieve s ynergy in the banking and insurance sectors, which would help the two in win ning lucrative contracts for the computerization of banking giant PKO BP. (P uls Biznesu, pp. 1, 3) M.M.