SUPPLIER SHORTS: Robert Bosch GmbH, Stuttgart, Germany, said its Bosch Packaging Technology Division agreed to purchase Paal Verpackungsmaschinen GmbH & Co. KG in Remshalden, Germany. Paal designs and supples packaging and automation technologies, including packaging machines for the food industry. . . . Software solutions provider AFS Technologies Inc., Phoenix, said it acquired two companies: IRM Corporation, a Dallas-based provider of business intelligence, forecasting and trade promotion management solutions; and Motek Information Systems Inc., a Beverly Hills, Calif., supplier of warehouse management systems. For its part, AFS supplies modular software programs for food and beverage distribution, sales and marketing, financials, processing, warehouse management, transportation and database services. "Not only does IRM's customer base expand the market potential for all of AFS' solutions into the food manufacturing space, but also Motek's customer base allows AFS to introduce its technology into markets beyond food and beverage," said Kurien Jacob, AFS' chief executive officer.