Sage Software Helps SBI Distribution Feed the Needs of Barbados More Efficiently With Sage Accpac ERP

PLEASANTON, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 6, 2007 --Sage Software announced today another example of how it responds to the needs, challenges, and dreams of more than 2.7 million small and mid-sized business customers (SMBs) across North America with the successful deployment of Sage Accpac ERP (enterprise resource planning) at SBI Distribution of St. Michael, Barbados. The company is a key supplier of brands like Nestle, Conagra, Lever Brothers, Frito Lay, Revlon, and Colgate to supermarkets and other retail outlets throughout the country. With the assistance of Sage Software business partner Axis Integrated Solutions of Miami, FL, this Sage Accpac ERP installation, which was fully operational just three weeks after its initial deployment, exemplifies how Sage Software and its network of more than 4,800 business partners across North America mutually deliver on providing the business management solutions companies like SBI Distribution need to succeed.

From the tourist on the beach to the rural school teacher, on Barbados, an independent island nation of almost 300,000 residents located in the western Atlantic Ocean, everyone gets essential products for their daily lives from SBI Distribution. The company of 350 employees, part of Barbados Shipping and Trading Company, Ltd., is a major player in Barbados' social and economic development, responsible for a significant majority of the nation's food imports. SBI Distribution imports from the U.S., U.K., Latin America, and Asia, and also exports to other islands in the Lesser Antilles.

Formed in 2002 as a result of a merger of three sister companies, it was crucial for SBI Distribution to deploy an integrated business management system to accommodate its large warehouse and distribution operations. The company also required that its system be compatible with hand-held technology so that its mobile sales force could access key customer data to manage its sales in the field.

"Our parent wanted all of its subsidiaries to be on the same platform, for easier reporting," explains Andre Griffith, information systems manager for SBI Distribution. "SBI, in turn, needed one centralized order-entry system, robust enough to handle our massive transactional requirements from consolidated operations." Griffith adds, "Although our existing business system claimed to be integrated, it functioned more like a concrete wall. When it crashed, which typically happened in the morning, we couldn't open to sell, causing us to lose hundreds of thousands of dollars due to lost sales."

Since deploying Sage Accpac ERP, with its suite of financial and distribution modules that automate their business management, SBI Distribution has improved delivery of shipments by one full day, trimmed invoicing time from 8 hours to 15 minutes, and reduced outstanding credit notes by 80 percent, since the company is now able to easily invoice what customers actually receive, rather than invoicing what they've picked from the warehouse using the old system. The new Sage Accpac ERP system also helps on the front end, helping SBI process walk-in business at the warehouse as well as top-priority orders. The system paid for itself in only five months after being deployed, with SBI Distribution realizing $1 million a year in additional revenue that previously was simply lost sales. Further efficiency and administrative cost savings come from SBI's mobile salespeople now being able to access key financial data directly from the Sage Accpac ERP system remotely via laptops and hand-held devices.

SBI Distribution also utilizes the global capabilities of Sage Accpac ERP, such as its multi-currency functionality, to automate conversion of the many foreign transactions it encounters every day. The company also plans to deploy the Sage Accpac ePOS point-of-sale system, which integrates with Sage Accpac ERP, in the near future, to further accommodate its walk-in business.

Sage Software provides businesses like SBI Distribution the resources for long term success with a comprehensive suite of business management solutions, customized installation, expert training, and superior service and ongoing support.

"Thank goodness our Sage Software business partner introduced us to Sage Accpac ERP and its end-to-end applications as the complete package for our business needs," says Griffith. He concludes, "Our Sage Accpac system has put us on the map. I believe we now have the best system of its kind in this part of the Caribbean -- the right mix of technology and integration. Sage Accpac is the greatest thing to happen to SBI since we were formed."

Recently named a "Top 100 Product" for 2006 in the High-End & Mid-Market Accounting category for the 11th straight year by the editors of Accounting Today magazine (http://www.webcpa.com/article.cfm?articleid=22780&pg=acctoday&page=4), and awarded a 5 out of 5-star ranking by The CPA Technology Advisor in their annual High-End Accounting System review (http://www.cpatechnologyadvisor.com/article/article.jsp?id=1439), Sage Accpac ERP is an advanced, Web-enabled accounting and business management solution that is the foundation for integrated, end-to-end business management applications, including customer relationship management (CRM), point-of-sale (POS), human resources (HR), warehouse management (WMS), and business intelligence (BI), among others.

Sage Accpac ERP -- Freedom of Choice

Unlike competitors, Sage Accpac ERP can be run on both Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems, including the ability to run Linux and Windows clients in parallel against the same database. Sage Accpac ERP also continues to provide small enterprises with the freedom to choose from a variety of industry leading databases, including IBM® DB2® (a 3-user DB2 license is included free of charge with a license of Sage Accpac ERP), Pervasive.SQL®, Oracle®, and Microsoft SQL Server, in addition to deploying on either the Microsoft, Linux® or IBM OS400 operating systems. Sage Accpac ERP can be operated alone or integrated with other Sage Accpac end-to-end business management applications that include customer relationship management (CRM), point-of-sale (POS), human resources (HR), warehouse management (WMS), and business intelligence (BI), among others. It can also be deployed either on premises, or hosted online at www.accpaconline.com.

Pricing and Availability

Available in three editions, 100, 200, and 500, Sage Accpac ERP is available from Sage Accpac business partners starting at an SRP of $595 per module (USD) for Sage Accpac 100 ERP. To locate a Sage Accpac business partner, call 1-800-945-8007, or visit www.sageaccpac.com.

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.

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