General Automation Subsidiary Lands Deal

Irvine-based General Automation Inc. said Wednesday that one of its subsidiaries will provide database tools to Reynolds & Reynolds Co. in a deal worth more than $5 million over the next two years.

General Automation, which has struggled over the last year, said database access systems from its Liberty Integration Software subsidiary will be integrated into the information management systems that Reynolds sells to automobile dealers. Dayton, Ohio-based Reynolds estimated that it has relationships with 90% of the 22,000 North American auto dealers, said Jane Christie, General Automation’s president and chief executive.

General Automation lost $12.4 million in the most recent 12 months on revenues of $30.7 million. Its stock closed Wednesday at 75 cents, up 14.3%, or 9 cents a share.