Sage Software Helps Niche Retail Manage e-Commerce Growth With Comprehensive Sage Accpac Business Management Solution

PLEASANTON, CA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- April 17, 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 (SMB's) across North America with the successful deployment of a Sage Accpac 'end-to-end' business management solution at online retailer Niche Retail of Sylvan Lake, MI. The company currently operates over 20 specialty-market retail Web sites, such as www.joggingstroller.com, www.elitecarseats.com, and www.suuntowatches.com, with more planned to be launched this year, and was recently listed as one of Inc. Magazine's 500 fastest growing companies for 2006. With the assistance of Sage Software business partner Synergy Plus Solutions, Inc. of Livonia, MI, this Sage Accpac 'end-to-end' business management system installation includes Sage Accpac ERP (enterprise resource planning), SageCRM (customer relationship management) for Sage Accpac ERP, Sage Accpac WMS (warehouse management system), and Sage Accpac Insight (business intelligence). The 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 Niche Retail need to succeed.

Niche Retail is a tremendously successful, growing, six-year old online retailer that generated $14.5 million in revenue last year. The company's explosive growth demanded a true 'end-to-end', integrated business management solution that could streamline its warehouse operations, automate routine tasks, improve customer service, and integrate with the company's Web stores.

Initially deploying NetSuite, Mike Galloway, Niche Retail chief financial officer, says the product was a good fit early on, but as the company grew from a 14,000 square foot office and warehouse space to 80,000 square feet, NetSuite simply could not keep up. Unreliable inventory information in NetSuite resulted in lost sales -- and unhappy customers. "We needed a sophisticated warehouse and order entry solution," explains Galloway. "We were lacking the essential functionality that would allow us to sustain our growth track."

Since deploying its integrated Sage Accpac 'end-to-end' business management solution, Niche Retail has achieved remarkable results, including:

--  Order throughput that has more than doubled using Sage Accpac WMS
    (from 300 to 800 orders per day), with no increase in the company's four-
    person warehouse staff;
--  Top-ranked customer service using SageCRM, with Niche Retail now
    enjoying the highest customer service rating, as awarded by BizRate.com;
--  Real-time data updates to management desktops from Sage Accpac Insight
    providing management with key performance indicators (KPI's) to measure its
    financial success, including the ability to view metrics such as the
    company's balance sheet and cash flow;
--  Improved overall efficiency of its business operations, resulting in a
    100% return on investment (ROI) within the first year of deployment.
    

With the ability to ship more orders in less time, deliver real-time order information to customer service staff, and get the key financial and operational data to make more informed business decisions, Niche Retail finds Sage Software and its Sage Accpac end-to-end business management applications to be true partners in its success.

"The tight integration between our accounting, warehouse, and customer service software delivers a level of efficiency that benefits both us and our customers," says Galloway. "We received a full return on our investment within one year. It's a true end-to-end solution."

Sage Accpac ERP 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. It can be deployed either on premises, or hosted online at www.accpaconline.com.

Sage Accpac ERP, SageCRM for Sage Accpac ERP, Sage Accpac WMS, and Sage Accpac Insight are all available from authorized Sage Accpac business partners. 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 Contacts: Mark Priscaro Director, Public Relations Sage Software (925) 931-7048 mark.priscaro@sage.com