Best Software Announces Direct Mail on Demand Program for Business Partners

Market Wire, March, 2005

Best Software announced today the launch of its Direct Mail on Demand program for Mid-Market Division (MMD) business partners, an innovative, yet simple program to help business partners maximize their return-on-investment (ROI) for direct mail marketing initiatives. The new direct mail program uses online automation to simplify the process of customizing, producing and delivering personalized direct mail campaigns. The Direct Mail on Demand program will ultimately help Best Software MMD business partners develop, enhance and create relationships that will generate leads and sales.

"Like our Web Resource Library launched this past January, the Direct Mail on Demand program gives our partners a boost in productivity that will directly benefit both their bottom line and their marketing effectiveness. It is yet another way we are willing to go the extra mile to help them effectively promote their businesses and Best Software solutions to increase sales," said Taylor Macdonald, Best Software executive vice president, Channel and Sales Operations, Mid-Market Division. "We're dedicated to continuing to strengthen our Channel Marketing program with these types of tools that will ultimately lower the cost of marketing for our channel, and help them build their business faster."

With the Best Software Direct Mail on Demand program, partners can execute their direct mail marketing campaigns in a single online visit, saving significant time and costs by eliminating the need to manage designers, print shops, list brokers, and mail houses. To develop and deliver a new direct mail campaign, a Best Software business partner can simply log into the Best Software Channel Marketing Web site, select from dozens of professionally designed postcards and letters, customize specific fields in the mail piece to reflect their business, and select a prospect mail list. All the printing, prep work, and mailing for the partner's direct mail piece are managed through Best Strategy, a third party vendor. Direct Mail on Demand costs are eligible for co-op fund reimbursement at a generous 60%.

"This program is great for partners like me who don't always have the time or resources to develop and implement direct marketing programs on our own," said Michelle Berg, marketing director of BGI Software Solutions LLC (BGI), located in Madison, Wisconsin.

"We don't have a graphic artist on staff, so this program is a cost-effective way for me to create full-color, professional looking postcards and letters without having to contract with an outside agency. Likewise, it eliminates me having to deal with the pain of mailing things out. Additionally, a significant advantage of this program is the ability to upload and use my own distribution list. It's programs like these that continue to demonstrate Best Software's commitment to help their partners succeed."

The Best Software Direct Mail on Demand program is available to authorized business partners of all of the company's MMD product lines, with direct mail postcards and letters available for all of Best Software's MMD products.

About Best Software/The Sage Group plc

Best Software offers leading business management products and services that support the needs, challenges and dreams of more than 2.3 million small and mid-sized customers in North America. Its parent company, The Sage Group plc (London: SGE.L), supports 4.4 million customers worldwide. For more than 25 years, Best Software has delivered easy-to-use, scalable and customizable applications through its portfolio of leading brands, including Abra®, ACCPAC®, ACT!®, BusinessVision®, CPASoftware®, FAS®, MAS 90®, MAS 200®, MAS 500®, MIP®, Peachtree®, SalesLogix®, and Timberline® Office, among many others. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.bestsoftware.com/moreinfo or call (866) 308-BEST.

© 2005 Best Software, Inc. All rights reserved. Best Software, and any other Best Software product or service names mentioned herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of Best Software, Inc. and/or its affiliated entities. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Media Contacts: John Schoutsen Vice President, Press & Analyst Relations Best Software (905) 629-7959, x301 john.schoutsen@bestsoftware.com Mark Priscaro Director, Public Relations Best Software (925) 931-7048 mark.priscaro@bestsoftware.com