Software Toolworks to Buy West Chicago Firm

Software Toolworks, a Chatsworth publisher of computer software, said that it has agreed to buy DS Technologies, a software publisher in West Chicago, Ill., for an undisclosed amount.

DS Technologies, a private company with about $2 million in annual sales, publishes software that helps protect data stored on hard disks, train people to use personal computers and organize information. Its titles include DS Tutor, DS Optimize, DS Backup and DS Help.

Software Toolworks is headed by Les Crane, a network television talk show host during the 1960s. Among the company’s best-known titles are Chessmaster 2100 and Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing.

Software Toolworks stock closed at $6.125 in over-the-counter trading Monday, up 12.5 cents.