With the acquisition, Avanquest becomes one of the top five consumer software companies in the U.S. International software publisher and distributor Avanquest Software announced Wednesday that it has acquired Nova Development, a publisher focusing on the consumer market, for cash and securities valued at $48 million.The combined size of Nova and Avanquest will make the company’s American branch one of the top five consumer software publishers in the U.S., excluding Microsoft, according to Avanquest.Avanquest, with global headquarters in Paris and a U.S. branch in Westminster, Colorado, develops software and offers global distribution, product support, and localization services mainly to small and medium-size developers. Through its worldwide network of subsidiaries and affiliates, it offers expertise in local markets and builds relationships with distributors and retailers. With offices in Europe, the U.S., and Asia, Avanquest markets products in more than 100 countries through e-commerce, OEM (original equipment manufacturer) branding deals, and IT resellers.Nova, in Calabasas, California, posted annual sales of approximately $32 million in 2006. It publishes and distributes more than 70 software titles for Windows and Macintosh platforms, including digital photo management tools such as Photo Explosion and the Scrapbook Factory series. Almost half of its annual sales are derived from products developed in-house, the company said. Technology Industry