Infor, Atlanta, GA, has acquired Formation Systems, a provider of product ­lifecycle management (PLM) solutions for process manufacturing companies . The acquisition of Formation Systems strengthens Infor's product portfolio for process manufacturers.

Formation Systems will join the Infor process manufacturing group, and will continue to operate in Southborough, MA. Both Infor and Formation Systems are privately held companies.

The acquisition of Formation Systems is consistent with our strategy of assembling high quality brands and professionals with deep vertical expertise", said Jim Schaper, chairman and CEO for Infor. "As a leading provider of PLM solutions for the food and beverage, home and personal care, and specialty chemical industries, Formation Systems enhances Infor's position as the solution provider that process manufacturers engage with to solve their essential challenges. "The addition of PLM to our product portfolio expands Infor's capabilities to integrate, streamline, and manage the entire process of product development."

For ten years, Formation Systems has provided proven PLM software solutions to process manufacturers and has built a highly skilled and dedicated workforce with a deep knowledge of PLM best practices in the vertical markets they serve. The acquisition of Formation Systems supports Infor's vertical strategy and establishes the combined company as a global leader in providing world-class enterprise Process Manufacturing solutions with an integrated PLM system to the food and beverage, CPG, chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnology process manufacturing industries.

Infor and Formation Systems customers benefit by gaining the opportunity to standardize on a single end-to-end process solution for all their Process ERP, supply chain planning and execution, performance management and product lifecycle management needs. The expanded Infor Process ERP solution suite will enable process manufacturing companies to improve product development and lifecycle management efficiencies and respond better and faster to market demands for quality products and services, while reducing total cost of ownership, eliminating integration issues and simplifying IT support.

"We are committed to protecting Formation Systems customers' technology investments," said Bruce Gordon. "Formation Systems customers gain access to Infor's global investments in technologies, solutions and people with the domain expertise to continually enhance its products to solve evolving business requirements and provide the strength of a global support network."

Infor is the largest global software provider exclusively focused on delivering world-class enterprise applications to customers in the manufacturing and distribution markets. Infor delivers integrated best-in-class products that address the essential challenges its customers face in areas such as supply chain planning, relationship management, demand management, ERP, warehouse management, marketing-driven distribution, and business intelligence. With more than 2,300 employees in 47 global offices, Infor provides enterprise solutions to 17,500 customers in over 70 countries. For additional information, visit www.infor.com.

Formation Systems is a software and services company that focuses on significantly improving the product development process for manufacturers in the food and beverage, home and personal care and specialty chemical industries. The company helps manufacturers accelerate new product introduction and achieve globally compliant products with lower development costs and a shorter time to world markets. Customers realize these benefits by using Formation Systems' software, Optiva, which enables manufacturers to consolidate the product development process and integrate disparate systems into one centralized, easy-to-use solution. Formation Systems is headquartered in Southborough, Mass. with offices around the world.