Sage Named as Finalist in Cloud Category for TechAmerica High-Tech Innovation Awards

IRVINE, CA--(Marketwire - Apr 25, 2011) - Sage, a leading global supplier of business management software and services, has been named a finalist in the Cloud category for the TechAmerica Orange County High-Tech Innovation Awards. Now in its 18^th year, this premier business event celebrates excellence and achievement in the region's technology industry, and honors local companies, individuals and products that drive innovation in Orange County. This year's winners will be announced at a dinner on June 9, 2011, at the Hyatt Regency in Irvine, Calif.

Competing in the Cloud Category for product innovation, Sage ERP Accpac 6.0, award-winning business management software, is the latest upgrade to the Sage ERP family, offering businesses greater productivity, enhanced real time visibility to metrics, and tools to accelerate growth. As the first step in a new web-deployable ERP framework, Sage ERP Accpac version 6.0 enables true browser-based access, providing businesses with the interactive collaboration tools required in today's fast-paced business environment. Sage ERP Accpac Version 6.0 can be deployed on-premise or in the cloud through Sage ERP Accpac Online.

"It's an honor to be recognized as a finalist in TechAmerica's High-Tech Innovation Awards," said Laurie Schultz, Sr. VP and General Manager, Mid Market ERP Solutions for Sage North America. "Along with extensive market research and direct feedback from customers, we focus on innovation and usability as core elements of our product development to support the larger goal of helping businesses grow and succeed. We're pleased that TechAmerica is acknowledging our commitment to product innovation and, ultimately, to our customers."

"We had nominations from all of Orange County's most important technology companies," said Bob Brunson, associate director, TechAmerica Orange County. "We congratulate Sage for rising to the finalist ranks. This region boasts many noteworthy companies, including Sage, that continue to influence technology development throughout the rest of the world, and we're excited to help highlight them."

The awards categories this year include the Harvey Mudd College Green Engineering Award, Innovative Product/Technology In 2010, Outstanding CEO In Technology and Outstanding Technology Company.

In addition to the awards, TechAmerica Orange County will recognize educators and students for their innovative use of science, math, and technology in the classroom and the community in conjunction with Project Tomorrow. The organization is the nation's leading education nonprofit group focused on preparing today's students to be tomorrow's innovators.

For more information, please visit www.techamerica.org/hta18.

About Sage ERP
The extensive heritage and ecosystem of Sage ERP enables Sage to offer cost-effective, end-to-end solutions that are simple to use and span the diverse needs of midsized businesses across virtually every industry. As one of the largest selections of scalable, integrated ERP software solutions available, the Sage ERP portfolio includes Sage ERP Accpac, Sage ERP MAS, and Sage ERP X3. Sage ERP is designed to work the way each business needs it to, providing the necessary tools to help businesses select, plan, and implement their ideal mix of solutions. Together with over 5,000 channel partners, Sage is committed to the success of its 3.2 million customers in North America.

About Sage North America
Sage North America is part of The Sage Group plc, a leading global supplier of business management software and services. Sage North America employs 4,000 people and supports 3.2 million small and midsized business customers. The Sage Group plc, formed in 1981, was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs 13,400 people and supports 6.3 million customers worldwide. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.sagenorthamerica.com.

About TechAmerica
TechAmerica is the leading voice for the U.S. technology industry -- the driving force behind productivity growth and jobs creation in the United States and the foundation of the global innovation economy. Representing approximately 1,200 member companies of all sizes from the public and commercial sectors of the economy, it is the industry's largest advocacy organization and is dedicated to helping members' top and bottom lines. TechAmerica is also the technology industry's only grassroots-to-global advocacy network, with offices in state capitals around the United States, Washington, D.C., Europe (Brussels) and Asia (Beijing).It was formed by the merger of AeA (formerly the American Electronics Association), the Cyber Security Industry Alliance (CSIA), the Information Technology Association of America (ITAA) and the Government Electronics & Information Technology Association (GEIA).Learn more about TechAmerica at www.techamerica.org.