Safeguard Business Systems and ACOM Solutions Inc. Form Strategic Alliance to Provide ACOM's Payments and Document Solutions to SME and Banking Markets

Business Wire, April 2, 2001

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

LONG BEACH, Calif., & DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 2, 2001

Safeguard Business Systems and ACOM Solutions Inc. have formed a strategic alliance under which Safeguard's network of exclusive distributors have become referral partners for ACOM's payments and financial document printing solutions, it was announced today by Philip J. Rigney, Safeguard senior vice president of business development, and James R. Scott, vice president of sales at ACOM.

"ACOM payments solutions complement our distributors' existing product line, offering them an excellent opportunity for revisiting customers, demonstrating their service commitment and increasing revenues by recommending upgrades for payments solutions that have outlived their time," Rigney said. "Safeguard distributors will identify the need in the market, with ACOM handling the sale, installation and training processes."

Seamlessly compatible with all accounting/business management software applications, ACOM payments solutions reduce users' vulnerability to check fraud and increase operating efficiency by generating checks and documents using MICR laser printers and blank security check stock. Users can also e-commerce-enable trading partner relationships quickly and easily through ACOM's EDI/XML solutions.

"This alliance creates great new opportunities for Safeguard distributors," Scott said. "It expands their product offerings, and essentially it places them in the role of consultants with a powerful message of fiscal security, efficiency and control.

"ACOM's low-cost turnkey solution, for example, enables them to offer a single-station hardware-software MICR-laser payment processing system designed specifically for the small to medium enterprise (SME). It includes check processing software, a MICR laser printer, MICR toner, blank security check stock and an unconditional 60-day money- back guarantee. It is uniquely priced and is directed specifically towards the payment requirements of Safeguard's largest market sector."

For Safeguard customers with larger check volumes and/or more complex payment requirements, ACOM also provides a workstation-level solution that employs a Microsoft Access Database, and a client- server, Enterprise solution that is based on SQL and can enable electronic payments (ACH and F-EDI) and remittance advice by paper copy, fax or e-mail.

For Safeguard banking and credit union customers, ACOM provides the MICRPro check printing suite, which includes MICRPro Fulfillment (for on-site check order fulfillment), MICRPro Teller (for automating production of starter checks and other teller documents) and MICRPro Back Office (for generating batch runs of all kinds from imported data).

About Safeguard Business Systems

Safeguard Business Systems is one of the nation's leading suppliers of paper products for businesses -- including manual/ computer checks, forms, stationery, envelopes, tax forms, business cards, marketing and promotional materials -- as well as a reseller of accounting and business software. The company focuses on small- to medium-size companies throughout North America, a key ACOM market, through its exclusive independent distributor channel.

Safeguard prides itself on being a service-driven enterprise that contributes to the success of its customers and business partners by providing high-quality market-specific printed, imaging and marketing solutions. Having a Safeguard distributor in most markets offers a unique ability to meet and service the needs of customers and prospects on a personal level.

About ACOM Solutions

ACOM Solutions helps businesses reduce costs and increase operating efficiency through a comprehensive suite of applications and tools for e-payments, e-documents and e-commerce enablement.

Secure payment solutions feature both laser printed and electronic payment and remittance advice. Flexible e-document and data management solutions replace preprinted forms with stored electronic form templates, providing electronic and hard copy delivery options. One- source e-commerce integration solutions uniquely support all transport modes and all document standards (EDI-EDIFACT) as well as all Internet (XML) standards and extensions, on a single platform.

Contact ACOM at 2850 E. 29th St., Long Beach, Calif. 90806; telephone 562/424-7899; fax 562/424-8662; e-mail gchurch@acom.com; Web www.acom.com.