American Software Inc. and Logility Inc. are tight and the two companies are looking to get even closer.
American Software is one of the oldest technology companies in Atlanta, founded in 1971 by James Edenfield and Thomas Newberry. Closely associated with American Software is the company Logility Inc., founded by Edenfield and Newberry in 1996 and headed up by Edenfield’s son, Michael. 
Both American Software and Logility are involved in the business of supply chain-management software. The two companies are intertwined. They share sales channels. James McGuone is the general counsel of both companies and Vincent Klinges is the chief financial officer of both companies. Michael Edenfield was chief operating officer of American Software before being named CEO of Logility.
When Logility held its IPO in 1997, American Software owned about 84 percent of Logility’s shares. That amount has risen to about 88 percent. Now American Software wants to own the entirety of Logility. American Software has offered to acquire the remaining shares of Logility it doesn’t already own for about $8 million. American Software’s tender offer begins on April 10 and will expire on April 30.
Because of the close family and financial ties between the two companies, it should come as no surprise that the boards of both companies have formed special independent committees to assess American Software’s offer.
American Software’s special independent committee is taking counsel from Baker, Donelson, Bearman, Caldwell & Berkowitz partners Sam Chafetz in Memphis and Henry Levi in Atlanta. Meanwhile, Logility’s special committee hired Jones Day partner Lizanne Thomas and associate Heith Rodman, both of Atlanta.