Sage Software Launches New Simply Accounting by Sage 2008 Product Line

Simpler Product Line Means Easier Selection for Small Businesses


RICHMOND, BC--(Marketwire - November 5, 2007) - Sage Software announced today the availability of Simply Accounting by Sage 2008, which offers Canadian small businesses new features and enhanced functionality, along with a simpler, cleaner accounting line with re-designed packaging. The streamlined product line-up includes Simply Accounting Entrepreneur, Simply Accounting by Sage 2008, Simply Accounting by Sage Premium Accounting 2008 and the newly available Simply Accounting by Sage Enterprise 2008.

"Sage Software is committed to Canadian small businesses, and we deliver on this commitment by providing 100% Canadian products and services to meet the needs of our bilingual community, as well as assist them through every phase of the life of their businesses," said Laurie Schultz, general manager, Simply Accounting by Sage and Sage Accpac, N.A. "We have re-structured the product line-up and re-designed the packaging to be much simpler, so it's easier for small businesses to choose the right accounting package for their business needs."

The simplified product line continues to offer multi-currency and bilingual features as standard functionality, along with new features and improvements in usability, scalability, capacity, and data integrity, including:

--  A new home window design that offers improved navigation within the
    product, along with easier access to information, including balances and
    reports using customizable shortcuts which can be placed on the desktop to
    streamline tasks;
--  The incorporation of the flexible MySQL database, which offers small
    businesses more scalability for expanding data, while minimizing
    transaction slow downs, and;
--  Reporting improvements such as dynamic onscreen sorting, report layout
    enhancements, and print to PDF capability.
    

With more than a half million registered users, Simply Accounting is the trusted standard for Canadian small businesses. The introduction of Simply Accounting Enterprise at the advanced end of the product line and the entry-level Simply Accounting Entrepreneur offers businesses from single-person, home-based start-up companies up to growing small businesses a simple range of products from which to choose the right accounting solution for each phase of the business lifecycle.

For growing small businesses, Simply Accounting Enterprise extends the product line further to serve companies that are not ready to migrate to more robust, sophisticated mid-market systems such as Sage BusinessVision 50 Accounting or Sage Accpac ERP (enterprise resource planning).

In addition to the new features and functionality improvements in the overall Simply Accounting 2008 product line, Simply Accounting Enterprise provides a five- or ten-concurrent-user license, serialized inventory, and enhanced role-based security that enables an administrator to allow multiple users to access specifically assigned data.

The purchase of Simply Accounting Enterprise includes the SimplyCARE with Payroll and Support service plan, which provides unlimited(1) access to customer support, automatically delivered product upgrades, and access to payroll tax updates for twelve months. Simply Accounting also provides conversion tools from other accounting software packages including QuickBooks®, MYOB® and Quicken®.

To further extend the reach of the product line, Sage Software has entered into strategic partnerships with leading office retailer Staples and the #1 ranked bank in Quebec, the National Bank of Canada, to provide Simply Accounting Entrepreneur to their small business customers. The Simply Accounting Entrepreneur product, co-branded with Staples, can be purchased exclusively from Staples at one of the retail locations across Canada or via their e-store, www.staples.ca. To find out more about National Bank of Canada, visit www.bnc.ca

Simply Accounting is the #1 recommended accounting software in Canada, according to a recent survey of Canadian accountants conducted by an independent consultant.(2) Small businesses can work with one of the more than 8,000 Simply Accounting Partners across Canada to determine the right accounting package for their business needs. To locate a Simply Accounting Partner in your area, please visit www.simplyaccounting.com/findconsultant

Pricing and Availability

Simply Accounting by Sage 2008 is currently shipping and will be available at Canadian retailers nationwide by mid-November. Simply Accounting Entrepreneur is available exclusively at Staples locations throughout Canada or via their e-store for $49.99. Simply Accounting (formerly Simply Accounting Basic) single-user has a suggested retail price (SRP) of $149; with payroll included at $349. Simply Accounting Premium two-user is priced at $249; with payroll included at $449. Simply Accounting Enterprise is available for direct purchase from Sage Software, with a five-user license available at an SRP of $1,249, and a ten-user license at $2,499. All prices listed are in CDN dollars.

For more information on Simply Accounting by Sage 2008, SimplyCARE Plans and special rebate offers for small businesses switching from a competing accounting package, please visit: www.simplyaccounting.com

In addition to Simply Accounting, Sage Software also offers Canadian growing small and mid-sized businesses a portfolio that includes Sage BusinessVision 50 Accounting and Sage Accpac ERP.

About Sage Software

Sage Software supports the needs, challenges and dreams of nearly 2.8 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 global 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 5.4 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.

©2007 Sage Software, Inc. All rights reserved.

(1) Support Specialists reserve the right to limit calls or online
    chat sessions to one hour.
(2) Information based on an online survey of 574 accountants who work
    with small business clients, conducted in Canada in August 2007.

Contact Information: Contacts: Marchell Gillis 770-724-4256 marchell.Gillis@sage.com Mark Priscaro 925-931-7048 mark.priscaro@sage.com