Phoenix--The two largest providers of faith-based management software have become one. Parish Data System, Inc., (PDS) announced a merger with ACS Technologies in a recent news release.

The companies offer a combined total of 50 years of experience. Together they serve more than 20,000 clients: churches, schools and faith-based organizations. PDS serves more than 11,000 Catholic parishes worldwide.

PDS will continue to maintain offices in Phoenix, Ariz. and will be added to the ACS corporation, whose headquarters are in Florence, South Carolina. ACS serves more than 12,000 clients.

"The merger with ACS Technologies will benefit all of our clients because it insures continued development of PDS programs," said Fr. Mike Boyle, PDS president.

Boyle also said the merge will result in "a significant increase in the number of support technicians and trainers."

Increasing PDS from a staff of 17 to hundreds will enable the company to supply enhanced products faster and to develop new programs, according to Boyle. "What was very difficult to do with a staff of 17, we are now able to do with a combined staff of over 300," Boyle said.

Hal Campbell, president and CEO of ACS said the merger is natural and had been foreseen for awhile.

"For some time Father Mike and I have been talking about finding ways to combine our efforts to better serve the faith-based community," Campbell said. "There are so many similarities between us and our companies that it seemed only natural to join together.

"There is no doubt that combined, we can offer more solutions to churches than ever before … and helping churches is what we have always been about."

Both PDS and ACS Technologies will continue business uninterrupted. They will keep all products, personnel and operations intact.

"ACS Technologies respects and appreciates the quality products and relationships that PDS has developed over the years. We are excited to join with them to enhance our products and overall product line," Boyle said.

"With the largest support and training departments in our market, ACS Technologies will walk along side of PDS partners helping them use their PDS products to even greater benefit."

Both PDS and ACS began in 1978 and are privately held companies. PDS has gained Catholic market leadership from its development and service to parishes and dioceses with its software programs, like: Church Office Management, Formation Office Management, School Office Management, Ledger, Ledger/Payroll, Facility Scheduler, and Foccus Correction (Pre-Marriage).

ACS Technologies is currently the leading provider of best of breed technology solutions for churches, schools, and faith-based organizations. They made their biggest contribution to the industry with their powerful church management software, ACS.

The company offers a host of other technology solutions including, Headmasterâ„¢ enterprise software for private schools and the Extend Platformâ„¢ online content management for Web sites and larger network community management.