RNS Number:0726T
Northgate Information Solutions PLC
10 December 2003



                                                                10 December 2003

(Not for release, publication or distribution in or into Australia, Canada,
Japan or the United States)

                      NORTHGATE INFORMATION SOLUTIONS PLC

                  PURCHASE OF OPTION TO ACQUIRE REBUS HR GROUP

                           AND SUSPENSION OF LISTING

Northgate Information Solutions plc ("Northgate" or the "Company") announces
today that it has purchased an exclusive option for #5 million to acquire the
Rebus HR Group ("RebusHR") on agreed terms, valuing Rebus HR Group including
debt at approximately #150 million.

The Rebus HR Group is one of the UK's leading HR and payroll solutions
providers, offering a range of strategic HR, payroll and employee information
systems. RebusHR provides in-house software systems, and a wide range of
outsourcing services such as hosting services, bureau payroll or fully managed
payroll services, employee information services and personnel services.
RebusHR's clients comprise companies of all sizes, ranging from small to medium
enterprises (SMEs) to large organisations in both the public and private sector.

Exercising the option would lead to the combination of RebusHR's software
products, employees and customer base with Northgate's existing HR business.
This would transform Northgate into one of the leading UK suppliers of software
applications and outsourcing solutions to the human resources management market,
with:

   * Scale to compete successfully in the UK market with global suppliers of
    enterprise software and to compete internationally

   * Strong positioning to take advantage of the development of the UK
    IT-based human resources services market

   * A strong customer base, ranging from SMEs to large organisations in both
    the public and private sector

Northgate expects to generate significant cost savings if the proposed
acquisition proceeds.

Due to the size of Rebus HR Group relative to Northgate, the proposed
acquisition is classified as a reverse takeover pursuant to The Listing Rules of
the UK Listing Authority. Therefore, in accordance with The Listing Rules, the
Company has requested that the listing of its ordinary shares be suspended
temporarily.

As soon as practicable, a further announcement will be made.

Enquiries:

Northgate Information Solutions plc today 020 7404 5959
Chris Stone / John Stier thereafter 01442 232424

N M Rothschild 020 7280 5000
Dominic Hollamby / Matthew Metcalfe

Hoare Govett Limited 020 7678 8000
Andrew Chapman / Andrew Foster

Brunswick Group 020 7404 5959
Tom Buchanan / Sarah Tovey

Notes to Editors:

About Northgate Information Solutions (www.northgate-is.com)

Northgate Information Solutions is a leading supplier of software applications
and outsourcing solutions to the public sector, human resources and corporate
markets. Headquartered in Hemel Hempstead, Northgate employs over 1,300 staff
and has approximately 1,800 customers across the UK and Ireland. Northgate works
closely with many corporate organisations, as well as approximately 30% of the
UK's local authorities, and all of its police forces. Northgate's focus is on
fully understanding application-specific processes, enabling organisations to
increase their business process efficiency. Equally, Northgate manages
customers' key systems, providing a broad range of outsourced solutions -
available at client sites or hosted at its own secure data centre.

Northgate Information Solutions plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange. For
further information visit the Northgate Information Solutions Portal at http://
www.northgate-is.com/.



                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END
MSCZGMGZMLNGFZZ