SOUTH African software group Softline Ltd said it had strengthened its presence in the US accounting software market through an $8.5m acquisition of AccountMate Software Corporation. Based in San Francisco, California, AccountMate is an established player in the midrange accounting software market with more than 15000 registered users and 120000 installations since it was founded in 1984. Softline’s share has hit successive lows for the year since its year high of R12.80 in February. – Reuters