Infor, a software provider that focuses on the manufacturing and distribution industries, began 2006 by announcing its latest acquisition.

The company purchased Datastream Systems, Inc., a Greenville, S.C.—based software provider. Datastream provides asset performance management software, and services more than 60 percent of the Fortune 500 companies.

Infor expects the purchase agreement to be completed by the second quarter of 2006. The sale, announced on Jan. 5, was approved by the boards of directors for each company. Officials of each company do not anticipate any job reductions or location closings.

"The synergy between the two companies expands us globally," said Robin Pederson, Infor's executive vice president of business. "[Infor] is very dominant in U.S and European, Middle East and African operations. Datastream has a very significant Latin American and South American presence which we'll be able to leverage and work with. And in Asia, they also do a significant positioning. That will increase our revenues over there by about 60 percent."

Forty-nine percent of Datastream's customers are in the manufacturing business, Pederson estimates, while 31 percent are in distribution.

Datastream has more than 6,700 customers and an employee base that is expected to expand Infor's expertise.

"From our side, it's also exciting because it helps extend our reach," said Marty Osborn, Datastream's vice president of product strategy. "One of the biggest challenges you have as a company is how you can get bigger and create new channels and opportunities. To be able to see into Infor's 20,000-plus customer base is huge for us."

Infor has more than 2,300 employees in 47 global offices. The company is headquartered in Alpharetta, Ga.

"We're really excited about [the acquisition]," Pederson said. "We think we're extending the enterprise and providing the services that all of our customers need and have asked us for."