Avalara's ``AvaTax On Demand'' -- New Sales Tax Rate Calculation Tool Now Available to Software Developers; New Tool Makes Sales Tax Automation Possible for Any SMB E-Commerce or Custom Application.

DALLAS -- Avalara, the Web-service-based sales tax solution provider, today unveiled AvaTax On-Demand(TM) at Best Software's Insights 2005 conference, according to Jared Vogt, Avalara's CEO. "This new program enables developers to integrate the on-demand AvaTax sales tax Web service into any accounting or e-commerce application," Vogt said.

Avalara is a Silver-level sponsor at Best's Insights 2005, and marked the occasion by unveiling this powerful new programming tool.

"The AvaTax ST(TM) service already integrates with many of the most significant financial applications in the SMB market," explained Vogt, "including programs such as MAS 90(R), MAS 200(R), and ACCPAC Advantage Series(TM)."

"We are now making all the functionality we have pioneered in our AvaTax ST service available for customer-driven integrations as well," Vogt noted. "Any company, ISV or third-party developer now has the flexibility to integrate AvaTax ST's remarkable functionality into any third-party accounting or order-processing product or process. No matter what technology is used for order-processing, quote servicing or other back office tasks in their existing accounting or e-commerce systems, any business can benefit from AvaTax's streamlined sales tax processes -- as well as the cost efficiencies that result from our advanced Web-service model."

AvaTax On-Demand's Web service Software Developer's Kit (SDK) contains an adaptor, as well as MSDN-style documentation and complete, functioning .NET and VB6 sample code. "For developers working in a Microsoft (MSFT) .NET or COM-compliant language, the adaptor will eliminate the work of building, reading or transforming data into SOAP messaging," according to Ranjit Mulgaonkar, Avalara's VP of Business Development and Product Management. "There is no hands-on SOAP whatsoever. In addition, developers not working in a .NET or COM-compliant language can interact with the service directly."

"AvaTax On-Demand is the centerpiece of Avalara's Development Partner Program, which provides a framework of technical and marketing support for third-party developers," Mulgaonkar continued. "Avalara is committed to making AvaTax On-Demand integrations time-efficient to develop, easy to maintain, and very worthwhile as a resource investment."

The Development Partner Program is directed to three levels of third-party developers. These include Corporate Customers -- developers who are a part of a company looking to integrate with AvaTax On-Demand for their own internal use. They also include Developer Resellers -- third party developers who want to develop custom interfaces to for their own customers; as well as ISVs who are looking to integrate AvaTax On-Demand as an extension or add-on to the product they offer to their customers.

Sales and use tax compliance processes are ideally suited to an on-demand model. There are more than 8,000 taxing jurisdictions in North America that are constantly changing. The corresponding rates and rules are highly complex, rife with exceptions and peculiarities, and difficult for internal, non-specialist personnel to accurately implement. And, because sales and use tax compliance offers no material or strategic benefit to a company -- compliance being no more than a statutory requirement -- an affordable, externally-maintained Web service solution creates an immediate cost benefit that goes directly to the bottom line.

About AvaTax ST

AvaTax ST is a SMB-focused, Web-service-based sales tax automation solution that instantly and accurately calculates sales tax for clients in any of the more than 8,000 taxing jurisdictions in North America; provides detailed, real-time reporting; and automatically generates pre-populated returns. AvaTax ST integrates with more SMB financial applications serving more businesses than any other solution. Integrations include AvaTax ST for Best Software's MAS 90(R) and MAS 200(R), ACCPAC Advantage Series(TM), Microsoft's (MSFT) Great Plains, Navision(R), MS Small Business Financials and Scala, among others. Additionally, with AvaTax On-Demand, Avalara's sales tax Web service can be easily integrated by SDK with any e-commerce, third-party or custom-built solution.

AutoAddress+(TM) is also offered, providing automated, on-demand address validation within ACCPAC CRM(TM), or any other system through custom integration.

About Avalara

Headquartered on Bainbridge Island near Seattle, Washington, Avalara is changing the sales and use tax landscape by delivering innovative and affordable solutions to small and medium businesses. Led by a team of industry experts in sales and use tax, and security and information technology, Avalara is focused on providing the easiest, most accurate and affordable way for businesses to address all their statutory sales and use tax requirements. Additional news and information is available at www.avalara.com.