GGC Software Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of Golden Gate Capital and Infor, has agreed to acquire Lawson Software. Following completion of the transaction, the combined suite of Infor and Lawson will create a unique set of industry-specific applications serving more than 75,000 customers and a global leader in verticals such as manufacturing, health care, distribution, public sector, and hospitality.

“Infor and Lawson will create a rich, integrated enterprise application suite. After the transaction closes, we plan to integrate many of the applications as soon after closing as possible, facilitated by a standards-based approach and the fact that both companies’ applications are already service-enabled. We also plan to innovate and change how customers deploy, use, and upgrade enterprise applications. We have a long list of ideas to improve the customer experience and deliver value through a singular focus on enterprise applications, accelerated investment, and a strong incentive to challenge convention,” said Charles Phillips, CEO of Infor.

Infor and Lawson will also offer richer and deeper functionality in the verticals where the companies have complementary strengths such as healthcare, state and local government, wholesale distribution, fashion, food and beverage, equipment rental and service, and process and discrete manufacturing.

The proposed transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and is expected to close in the third calendar quarter of 2011.