Thrifty will install a $60-million computer system.

The Los Angeles-based firm said it has entered into an agreement with IBM to develop and install the system in the company’s more than 500 drug stores, allowing Thrifty to reduce costs. Among other things, the system will give detailed information on each sale, provide inventory information, schedule staff time and control the heating, ventilation, air conditioning and lighting in the stores. Separately, Thrifty announced that it raised its quarterly dividend to 15 cents a share from 13 cents a share, payable Feb. 28 to shareholders of record on Feb. 8.