Sage Software Teams With iDC to Provide Government Financial Management System

Business Wire, June 9, 2000

Business Editors

IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 8, 2000

Developed using the Sage Enterprise customization suite,

PlusFund delivers a powerful and functionally advanced

business management solution to local governments and agencies

Sage Software Inc., a leading provider of accounting and business management software solutions, and Information Development Consultants Inc. (iDC), Thursday announced the development of PlusFund, a government financial management system integrated with Sage Enterprise Suite(TM), the new name for the combination of the Acuity(R) and Best! Imperativ(TM) product lines.

The integration was developed with the Sage Enterprise customization suite to extend the capabilities to include full fund and encumbrance accounting, plus budgetary control. Additional benefits include improved productivity using a Web browser to run reports, which serve as a basis for improved planning, budgeting and evaluation of government activities. PlusFund is available now directly through iDC and through Sage Enterprise Solution Providers who have joined iDC's channel program.

"We're excited to team with iDC to offer the government a powerful integrated business management solution based on Sage Enterprise Suite, which also complies with government accounting and reporting standards, including GASB Statement No. 34," said David R. Butler, president and chief operating officer of Sage Software.

According to Carolyne Turner, president of iDC, local governments have typically lagged behind private industry in adapting new technology to run their day-to-day operations. "Things are dramatically changing as the number of Internet users continues to double about every 90 days," said Turner. "PlusFund provides a tremendous jump start and frees local governments to respond to the demands of citizen self-service via the Internet. It also takes advantage of Microsoft Office 2000 and SQL Server 7.0 capabilities to keep pace with productivity, service improvements and integration requirements."

About Sage Enterprise Suite

Sage Enterprise Suite is the new name for the combination of Sage's Acuity and Best! Imperativ product lines. Sage Enterprise Suite is optimized to meet the needs of enterprise companies with typically $25 million to $250 million in annual revenue. It is a highly reliable, robust and integrated suite of applications covering all areas of enterprise e-business, including accounting, budgeting, distribution, human resources, payroll, enterprise financial reporting and electronic commerce. Natively created on Microsoft compatible tools, technology and architecture, Sage Enterprise Suite is flexible, scalable and full-featured to deliver a total business management solution.

About iDC

Founded in 1975, iDC is a privately owned corporation certified as a Women's Business Enterprise (WBE) by the U.S. federal government and various state and local governments. The company provides system integration services, application software products, training and advisement specially for local governments and agencies. Customers range in size from smaller communities to the government of the U.S. Virgin Islands, and include departments of state government, Tucson International Airport, and special districts and agencies nationwide.

About Sage Software Inc.

With headquartered in Irvine, Sage Software (www.sage.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Sage Group plc, the world's leading e-business management software and solution provider with more than 2 million customers. In order to provide all-encompassing e-business management solutions, Sage offers software from Sage Software Inc., and its sister companies Best Software Inc. and Peachtree Software Inc.

Sage Peachtree(R), Sage DacEasy(R) and Sage BusinessWorks(R) are just a few of the easy-to-use products offered with full accounting features needed by most small businesses of up to 50 employees. Sage MAS 90 and server-based MAS 200 are the leading accounting and e-business management software packages for medium-sized businesses with up to 500 employees, and are recommended by more CPAs than any other mid-range accounting product. Sage Enterprise Suite is the name for the combination of Acuity and Best Imperativ. Enterprise Suite is perfect for larger businesses of 500 or more employees. Enterprise Suite is the integration leader with existing line of business applications, exemplified by Acuity's three-time recognition for Best Technology Integration at the Microsoft Industry Solution Awards.

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like more information on Sage Software and its products, view the Sage Software press center at (www.us.sage.com/press/default.htm). For more information about Information Development Consultants and its products, view the iDC Web site at www.idcdilog.com.

Sage is a U.K. trademark of The Sage Group plc. MAS 90, BusinessWorks, DacEasy, and Acuity are registered trademarks of Sage Software Inc. MAS 200 and Sage Enterprise Suite are trademarks of Sage Software Inc. Peachtree is a registered trademark of Peachtree Software Inc. All other brands referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.