Best Software Announces Novell Linux Certification for ACCPAC Advantage Series 5.3 on IBM DB2 and eServer xSeries platforms

Best Software announced today it has certified the latest version of its award-winning ACCPAC Advantage Series accounting application, v5.3, for deployment on the IBM eServer xSeries with the new IBM DB2 Universal Database Express database running on the Novell Linux Small Business Suite.

Successfully tested for optimum installation and performance on both the desktop and server, ACCPAC Advantage Series is the industry's only accounting application designed for small enterprises that runs on IBM DB2 for both Linux and Windows operating systems. As small enterprises continue to demand increased flexibility and responsiveness from their IT infrastructures, ACCPAC Advantage Series with IBM DB2 offers greater technology choice and advantage to this market segment.

"ACCPAC Advantage Series has been the standard-bearer for accounting applications that can effectively run on Linux," said Craig Downing, Best Software vice president and general manager, ACCPAC Mid Market Operations. "With this latest certification, we continue to provide our clients with powerful, alternative platforms for managing their business operations, and the flexibility that comes with the unmatched freedom of choice ACCPAC Advantage Series offers."

The IBM Innovation Center in San Mateo, California, played a critical role in the Linux enablement, providing a customized hardware and software environment for ACCPAC to 'test drive' its applications. Skilled IBM technical experts, with specific expertise in IBM DB2, middleware and Linux, helped Best Software's ACCPAC division with a smooth integration to its new technology platform. Providing a full range of hardware, software and skills, IBM eased the enablement process so that ACCPAC could go to market with its application faster.

"The hands on, personalized resources at the IBM Innovation Center are designed to make IBM the technology partner of choice," said Todd Chase, program director, IBM Innovation Centers. "We are actively supporting the growth and development of open standards based solutions. By aligning ourselves with our business partners, we are creating new technology innovations that offer increased choice, flexibility and economic value to the marketplace."

Chosen on May 2nd as a "Top 100 Midmarket Product of the Year" by VARBusiness magazine (http://www.varbusiness.com/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=161601604), ACCPAC Advantages Series 5.3, running on Linux, will be demonstrated next week at Insights 2005, Best Software's third annual company-wide business partner conference, being held May 17-20 at the Gaylord Texan Resort in Dallas (www.bestsoftwareinsights.com).

"With this certification, Best Software continues to show its strong commitment to providing excellent Linux business management solutions," said Hal Bennett, vice president of global business development for Novell. "Solutions like ACCPAC Advantage Series 5.3, combined with the Novell Linux Small Business Suite, demonstrate that small business owners truly have world-class options beyond the Windows platform to drive their businesses."

ACCPAC Advantage Series 5.3 for Linux -- Freedom of Choice

Unlike competitors, Best Software's ACCPAC Advantage Series can be run on both Linux and Microsoft Windows operating systems, including the ability to run Linux and Windows clients in parallel against the same database. This "freedom of choice" allows clients to pick the right operating system for each user. With the growing use of Linux on the desktop, small enterprises have the potential for significantly reduced total cost of ownership (TCO) in managing their accounting systems. More companies are choosing Linux because it is a highly available, highly customizable and low-cost operating system that runs on standard hardware. Linux is an ideal solution for budget-conscious companies that demand a reliable and scalable operating system.

IBM Innovation Centers

The IBM Innovation Centers provide onsite and remote access to skills and equipment to port, migrate, test and optimize Business Partner applications for an on demand world. The 25 centers around the world help IBM Business Partners reduce their development costs, shorten sales cycles and get their applications to market faster.

Novell Linux Small Business Suite

Novell Linux Small Business Suite 9 is the first end-to-end, server-to-desktop Linux solution that offers a clear alternative for small businesses. Novell Linux Small Business Suite is comprised of industry-leading Linux server and desktop software, along with powerful collaboration, security, and management products -- all engineered specifically for Linux. As a result, small businesses receive a secure, reliable, and complete solution that provides them with big-business benefits on small-business budgets.

Pricing and Availability

ACCPAC Advantage Series 5.3 for Linux is available now through authorized Best Software/ACCPAC Advantage Series Solution Providers across North America starting at an SRP of $495 (USD) per module for the Small Business Edition, with a 3-user license of IBM DB2 Universal Database Express database included at no additional charge. To locate a Best Software/ACCPAC Advantage Series Solution Provider, call 800-945-8007 or visit www.accpac.com.