HAMPTON - Lilly Software Associates of Hampton was sold last week to the Atlanta-based Infor Global Solutions.

The owner and founder of the company, Dick Lilly, said it was time to take the company he started in 1992 to the next level.

When the company first got off the ground, there were only three employees.

Now, it has more the 200 employees in Hampton and 500 associates around the world.

The terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Infor Vice President Robin Pederson said there are no layoffs planned at this time and that Lilly will stay on as chairman at the company.

"I am extremely enthusiastic about the acquisition of Lilly," stated Jim Schaper, chairman and CEO of Infor.

Pederson described the Lilly Software acquisition as "a very big deal" for his company.

Lilly Software offers computer software products, including VISUAL Enterprise, a management software solution that more than 4,000 manufacturers use to increase productivity and deliver products on time.

The plan is to keep the headquarters in Hampton, Pederson said. The only change will be the company's name. Instead of Lilly Software it will be Infor Global Solutions.

Pederson said the company is committed to serving Lilly's customers and continuing the development of Lilly's technology.

While Lilly has a customer base of more than 3,000 users, Infor has more than 13,000 customers in 45 countries.

"We are committed to taking care of our customers with ongoing product enhancements and outstanding customer service," said Pederson. "Lilly's customers will benefit from Infor's deep focus on discrete manufacturing, global reach and financial strength while gaining a long-term partner committed to long-term investment in product development."