Sage Software Launches Sage Pro ERP 7.4 With Significant, New Automation Features and Performance Enhancements to Help Improve Efficiency, Productivity, and Profitability for Small and Mid-Sized

NASHVILLE, TN -- (MARKET WIRE) -- November 7, 2006 -- Sage Software announced today the launch of Sage Pro ERP 7.4, the latest version of the company's award-winning business management solution designed for small and mid-sized businesses. Version 7.4 includes many powerful new features, including an Executive Dashboard, a new intuitive desktop interface, plus two new modules, Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) and Request For Quote (RFQ), in addition to enhancements to its existing wide array of manufacturing-specific modules. Sage Pro ERP 7.4 also offers an enhanced fiscal calendar that provides 365 periods, new Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) capability for payments, and other features to improve overall performance and functionality.

"Sage Pro ERP 7.4 provides users with greater visibility, insight and faster access to their key financial, operational, and customer information," said Craig Downing, Sage Software vice president and general manager for Sage Accpac. "All of this enhanced business management functionality, plus the addition of the new RMA and RFQ modules, offers even more value and return on investment to both our existing and new clients. Version 7.4 includes more of what small and mid-sized businesses need to succeed -- more automation, more easy-to-use tools, and more customizable options to fit the varying, unique needs of their individual businesses."

New Executive Dashboard (available in the 200 Edition)

Sage Pro ERP 7.4 features a Web-based Executive Dashboard, providing real-time insight into a company's business operations. With the Executive Dashboard, managers can quickly examine, evaluate and assess crucial aspects of their company's operations from data residing in their Sage Pro ERP system, such as open accounts payable or accounts receivable balances, customized charts and graphs that track business progress, and customer or vendor contact information. The Dashboard also provides the ability to quickly communicate with Sage Pro ERP users within a company's organization via the Message Center feature. Having easy, fast access to these details provides an instant view of important business intelligence, which allows managers to identify and address key company performance issues, act quickly on new opportunities, and prevent or control problems more effectively.

Document Routing, Return Merchandise Authorization, & Request For Quote

Vital information flow in areas like order processing is easier to manage using the new Document Routing feature in Sage Pro ERP 7.4 (200 edition), which gives companies the ability to assign and control individual access levels to various data. With this flexibility, companies can better control the flow of information so employees get just the key information they need to do their jobs.

Further flexibility and operating efficiency is achieved with the addition of new Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) and Request For Quote (RFQ) modules. Using RMA, distributors and wholesalers can streamline their returns management, favorably impacting their bottom line. RMA makes it easy to create and enforce return policies that are unique to a company's business, and helps ensure proper application of policies such as restocking fees and warranties. Available in the 200 edition, the new RFQ module offers more simplified, flexible and streamlined vendor bid processing, providing better management of the quote evaluation process.

"Sage Pro ERP is a critical part of our company's operations," says Becky Moore, controller for Horizon Spa & Pool Parts, Inc., a wholesaler based in Tucson, AZ. Moore adds, "If we didn't have Sage Pro ERP, our daily revenue would be drastically reduced -- we couldn't even do a fraction of the business we do today. With the addition of these new features and functionality, upgrading to version 7.4 is an easy decision. We are looking forward to it helping us continue to successfully manage the growth of our business."

Enhanced Manufacturing Modules For Better Return On Investment

New enhancements in the Manufacturing modules for Sage Pro ERP 7.4 focus on streamlining work order functions to make processing faster for manufacturers and distributors. Improved information management capabilities include the ability to add notes and/or attach files to individual work orders, and easier and more complete Purchase Order (PO) bid creation, with POs that can now include order quantities, supplier values, and lead times. Version 7.4 offers easier materials acquisition processing, with an improved Manufacturing Resource Planning (MRP) to PO link that provides faster and more efficient advance purchasing and acquisition of raw materials. This enhanced downstream production and fulfillment management also includes automatic work order closing upon shipment. All of these new enhancements are designed to save production costs, helping to improve a company's bottom line.

Distributors can gain better visibility and control of their inventory with enhancements to the Inventory Control module. There are more RFID (radio frequency identification)-related features and functionality, such as Store RFID, the ability to read both numeric and alpha-numeric bar codes, bar code set up and simplified label printing capability for Items, Locations, Lot No., Serial No., Stores, and Bin, plus instant importation of read bar code data into the Inventory Control, Accounts Receivable, and Sales Order modules after scanning. File importation using RF scanners is also faster and easier to do.

Enhanced System Management Capabilities

With version 7.4, users can choose a customizable desktop menu to fit their unique business needs. A new Task List option has also been added so individual users have the freedom to choose and design unique interfaces, called My Tasks Lists, which can be individually customized to suit each user's preferences.

New Time-Saving Features

Sage Pro ERP 7.4 also provides enhanced, 'one-click' drill down screens in many data fields, making it easier and faster to access vital financial and operational information throughout the system. For example, when entering a customer invoice, drill down allows quick access to existing open invoices for the customer being displayed. Version 7.4 includes many other performance enhancements to existing modules including the addition of EFT functionality to Accounts Payable.

Freedom of Choice with Sage Pro ERP

Named a "Top 100 Product" for 2006 in the High-End & Mid-Market Accounting category for the 5th straight year by the editors of Accounting Today magazine (http://www.webcpa.com/article.cfm?articleid=16589&pg=acctoday), Sage Pro ERP is a powerful, highly customizable business management solution that features modifiable source code (200 edition), a scalable architecture, choice of operating systems (Microsoft Windows® or Linux®), and a complete set of optional, integrated manufacturing modules, plus integration with other Sage Software end-to-end business management applications, including customer relationship management (CRM), human resources, and warehouse management, among others.

Pricing and Availability

Available in two editions, 100 and 200, Sage Pro ERP 7.4 is now available from Sage Pro business partners starting at SRPs of $995 per module/$1,095 per user for Sage Pro 100 ERP, and $1,995 per module/$1,095 per user for Sage Pro 200 ERP (all figures USD). To locate a Sage Pro business partner, call 1-800-945-8007, or visit www.sageproerp.com.

About Sage Software

Sage Software supports the needs, challenges and dreams of more than 2.6 million small and mid-sized business customers in North America through easy-to-use, scalable and customizable software and services. Our products support accounting, operations, customer relationship management, human resources, time tracking, merchant services, and the specialized needs of the construction, distribution, healthcare, manufacturing, nonprofit and real estate industries. Sage Software is a subsidiary of The Sage Group plc, a leading international supplier of accounting and business management software solutions and related products and services for small to mid-sized businesses. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and the Group now has 5.0 million customers and employs over 10,500 people worldwide. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.sagesoftware.com/moreinfo or call (866) 308-2378.

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Contact Information: Press Contact: Mark Priscaro Director, Public Relations Sage Software (925) 931-7048 mark.priscaro@sage.com