Infor acquires Mercia

ERP systems developer Infor Global Solutions, which last month acquired Lilly Software, has continued its spending spree – buying supply chain planning systems developer Mercia Software, formerly part of Finmatica, for an undisclosed sum. Reorganisation notwithstanding, Mercia adds 115 employees and 250 customers to Infor’s 1,800 employees and 13,000 users world-wide. The deal means a further extension of the company’s reach into supply chain management systems. Mercia offers two suites, covering demand planning, strategic inventory planning, distribution planning and sales and operational planning – one aimed at Tier One and Tier Two companies, the other at SMEs. User sectors include automotive and aerospace for service parts planning, and consumer packaged goods, healthcare and the distribution industry. Customers include General Motors, TRW, HJ Heinz, Johnson & Johnson, Coca-Cola, Unilever and Honeywell. All that will now fall under a newly formed Infor Demand Planning Group. John Sookias, formerly responsible for Mercia’s world-wide sales, marketing and professional services, is the new VP and general manager for the division. “Mercia’s solid base of customers, high customer satisfaction ratings, and team of dedicated employees will strengthen Infor’s position as a leading enterprise software provider to manufacturing and distribution companies globally,” says Jim Schaper, chairman and CEO of Infor.