Preferred Solutions Gauteng buys Lorge Pastel Evolution unit

The Pretoria-based operation of financial software management and support provider Preferred Solutions Gauteng has bought the Pastel Evolution accounting software business unit of business and technology solutions provider and implementer Lorge.

Hanlie du Toit, managing director of Preferred Solutions Gauteng, said the acquisition was in line with the company`s drive to sustain continued growth in the market. "As a result of this, we will obtain both additional resources and new customers that will strengthen and expand our operational base."

Founded in 1991 to tackle the growing need for financial software support to small and medium-sized businesses, Preferred Solutions Pretoria has built up a solid base of strong accounting and software skills offerings in the Pastel range which is internationally recognised and holds major market share in South Africa and other countries.

Preferred Solutions Gauteng was the 2008 Channel Partner of the Year with Pastel Accounting, as well as runner-up with Pastel Payroll and Pastel Evolution in the same year.

Lorge managing director Errol Wills said the acquisition of the Pastel Evolution business unit by Preferred Solutions Gauteng became effective from 1 March and was part of a refocus on the Lorge core business model.

Preferred Solutions Gauteng has experience and expertise in IT Infrastructure design, implementation and maintenance; the supply and maintenance of servers, desktops, laptops, thin clients, point-of-sale systems, printers and consumables; business intelligence report design, report writing; and custom software development. It also runs a dedicated training centre.