Champion Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation

Business Wire, June 25, 2001

Business Editors & Technology Writers

ENGLEWOOD, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 25, 2001

Champion Business Systems, a leading business management software company, celebrates its 20th anniversary this month.

Building on its history of innovation, Champion is introducing channel distribution programs to attract a new reseller base and is the featured accounting software in South-Western Publishing's, a Thomson Learning Company, newest edition of its market-dominant "Accounting, 20e" textbook by Carl S. Warren, James M. Reeve and Philip E. Fess.

Growing from Data Base Research Company in 1981, Champion pioneered real-time desktop accounting software for the small business and as an industry leader received excellent national reviews and numerous awards. In 1997, to enhance offerings to a loyal customer base, Champion bought PROFIT(TM), originally developed by Microsoft(R) and Great Plains Software(R). Through internal efforts, PROFIT evolved from pre-Y2K compliant software to a scalable business management solution. Recently released PROFIT GOLD(TM), powered by a Pervasive.SQL(TM) 2000 database, enables direct links to a complete e-commerce network and delivers superior management ability with seamless integration to Crystal Reports(TM).

In contrast to the rash of technology failures in recent years, Champion credits its ongoing vitality to customer responsiveness and flexibility of distribution strategy in a demanding industry. "We're one of the few remaining independent voices of the accounting software industry," said Jim Long, President of Champion. "Mergers and acquisitions are occurring at a phenomenal rate. Our independence gives us the ability to better evolve with the needs of our customers; adapting products and services to serve selected segments of the 15 million plus small business market."

This fall, thousands of Champion products will be distributed to professors in the accounting educational market. South-Western is introducing PROFIT in the Classroom(TM) as a bundled teaching package with its leading college-level accounting textbooks, including "Accounting, 20e" by Warren, Reeve and Fess. The proven approach of "Accounting, 20e" has educated more than 11 million students. PROFIT in the Classroom is a comprehensive teaching package for instructors and students that includes Champion PROFIT, FastTracker(TM), OnTime Scheduler, case studies with solutions sets, and syllabus templates.

Champion's channel distribution strategy offers a variety of programs for CPAs, as well as traditional Value Added Resellers (VARs). The Financial Advisory program generates new customers for CPAs via a service sold to end users. Champion's Reseller Partner status includes generous margins, volume rewards, and unlimited technical support with on-site priority.

Jo Suchey, Champion's Director of Sales and Business Operations, claims, "Champion's 20 years of success is a credit to three things: innovative and user-friendly products, strong customer support, and of course, perseverance."

About Champion Business Systems

Champion develops, integrates and supports the accounting and business management software needs of small and growing businesses internationally, servicing an active database of over 12,000 customers. The company sells directly and supports a distribution channel of over 250 VARs, as well as a large network of CPAs and recommenders. Champion's headquarters is located in Englewood, Colorado. The toll-free number for sales and business development inquiries is 1-800/243-2626.

Microsoft is a registered trademark of Microsoft Corporation. Great Plains Software is a registered trademark of Great Plains Software, Inc. Great Plains Software, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft Corporation. Pervasive.SQL is a trademark of Pervasive Software, Inc. Crystal Reports is a trademark of Crystal Decisions, Inc.

PROFIT, PROFIT GOLD, PROFIT in the Classroom and FastTracker are trademarks of Champion Business Systems, Inc.