Sage Software Wins The CPA Technology Advisor 2006 Review of High-End Accounting Systems

Sage Software Flagship Enterprise Resource Planning Systems Beat All Comers With Perfect 5-Star Overall Assessments


IRVINE, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- December 19, 2006 -- Sage Software announced today that with its Sage Accpac 500 ERP and Sage MAS 500 ERP business management systems, the company has won The CPA Technology Advisor annual Review of High-End Accounting Systems for 2006. In the December issue, editors awarded perfect 5-Star ratings in the Overall Assessments of both Sage Accpac 500 and Sage MAS 500. Sage Software's premiere ERP offerings beat all other competitors in a field that included Microsoft® Dynamics GP, as well as offerings from Intacct Corporation and SouthWare Innovations.

"At Sage, we understand that customer needs differ, and we have developed a portfolio of award-winning products built to suit those needs," said Himanshu Palsule, Sage Software senior vice president and general manager for Mid Market Accounting Solutions. "Sage Accpac and Sage MAS 500 are prime examples of products that offer our customers both choice and value. These current awards validate our customer-focused approach to deliver products with superior functionality, optimum performance and uncompromising value."

The CPA Technology Advisor judged products in six categories: Modules/Scalability, Usability/User Experience & Security, Extensibility, Integration/Customization, Reporting and Support, Training & Help. Products can earn up to a 5-Star rating in each category, which is rolled up into an Overall Assessment that rates products on the same 5-Star scale. Sage Accpac 500 scored perfect 5-Star ratings in all six review categories, while Sage MAS 500 was awarded 5-Star ratings in four of six categories and 4.5-Star ratings in the remaining two.

This year's review also took into account survey results from the Information Technology Alliance (ITA), which provided feedback on the accounting systems, as well as insight into the partner programs of many major accounting software developers. ITA's membership includes CPAs, EAs, CIOs, CTOs, value-added resellers, specialty technology consultants and the developers of technology products and services. The extensive knowledge and experience of ITA members identified the following competitive advantages for each Sage Software product:

Sage Accpac 500 Competitive Advantages:

--  Mature product with robust feature set
--  Deep expertise and experience in the reseller channel
--  Flexible deployment options (on-premise, web, hosted)
--  Ease of integration with other source solutions
--  Ease of development of customizations
    
Sage MAS 500 Competitive Advantages:
--  Good vertical fit for distribution
--  SQL database designed for high volume of activity
--  Great inventory replenishment
--  Very strong manufacturing functionality
    
About The CPA Technology Advisor

Founded in 1991 as The CPA Software News, The CPA Technology Advisor is dedicated to providing practicing public accountants with the knowledge they need to make informed technology decisions. Through in-depth reviews and comparisons, detailed due-diligence charts, tables and graphs, The CPA Technology Advisor helps accountants explore, purchase and implement technology productively.

With an audited circulation of more than 50,000 practicing public accountants, The CPA Technology Advisor has earned a loyal readership by maintaining unparalleled editorial independence and integrity with valuable reviews, columns from industry leaders and user-oriented features in every issue. Respected as the only completely objective magazine covering technology for the accounting profession, The CPA Technology Advisor is the publication practicing public accountants rely on when they are ready to make a technology purchase or recommendation to a business client.

About Sage Software

Sage Software supports the needs, challenges and dreams of more than 2.7 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 and mid-sized businesses. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and the Group now has 5.2 million customers and employs over 13,000 people worldwide. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.sagesoftware.com/moreinfo or call (866) 308-2378.

© 2006 Sage Software. All rights reserved. The Sage Software logo and the Sage Software product and service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sage Software or its affiliated entities.

Contact Information: Media Contact: Stephen Moore Sage Software (949) 790-2040 stephen.moore@sage.com Mark Priscaro Sage Software (925) 931-7048 mark.priscaro@sage.com