Best Software Builds Solid Customer Base for Internet Application Services Group.

Business Editors

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 17, 2001

Logs 17 CustomHRMS Hosted HR/Payroll Sales in First Year of Release

Best Software, Inc., a leading provider of client/server and online HR, payroll and fixed asset solutions for middle-market companies, announced today that they have signed Absolute Quality, Inc., as the 17th contract for its Internet Application Services Group.

Based in Hunt Valley, Md., Absolute Quality joins a growing list of leading technology companies that have selected Best's CustomHRMS(TM) as their in-house HR/payroll system. The milestone comes less than a year since the product's launch in spring 2000 via a hosting agreement with Qwest Communications.

A global provider of customer service outsourcing solutions and product testing for e-business companies and software developers, Absolute Quality is using CustomHRMS to integrate its disparate HR, payroll and benefit systems, according to Cindy Sachse, director of human resources. CustomHRMS, based on the award-winning, Web-native Best! Imperativ HRMS(TM) solution, will also provide Absolute Quality employees and managers with self-service capability to help reduce the administrative burdens on both HR and IT staff.

"Before installing CustomHRMS, we were managing our data with one product, outsourcing payroll to a third-party vendor and manually entering our own recruiting information," said Sachse. "Now, CustomHRMS will link these systems, providing a more streamlined workflow and an easy-to-use, roles-based self-service interface."

"Our hosted solutions offer customers a versatile solution attuned to their rapidly changing requirements for core business applications," said Mary Hodson, vice president and general manager of Best's Internet Application Services Group. "With the addition later this year of more robust hosted offerings, we will continue to meet the evolving needs of a growing spectrum of industries, from manufacturing and financial services to the mass media and wireless providers."

Scott Pratt, IT director for Spike Broadband, has also installed CustomHRMS. As with Absolute Quality, the product's self-service features enable the company to focus on its core areas of expertise rather than on data input, helping to solve one of its biggest business challenges--reducing administrative burdens on staff.

"CustomHRMS provides our employees with secure, self-service access to their benefit and personnel profile information, so they can make changes, as needed, from the convenience of their desktops," said Pratt.

CustomHRMS offers companies a reduced up-front investment and a predictable per-employee/per-month pricing structure, making it more affordable than most traditional, client/server-based applications. It includes Best! Imperativ HRMS' roles-based self-service application that effectively extends the reach and value of the network outside of the HR and payroll organization. For instance, an employee with a life-event change (birth of a child, marriage, etc.) can access his or her password-protected account online and update his or her records automatically.

About Best Software

Best Software, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Sage Group plc, is a leading provider of solutions which help organizations transform the way they manage their people and fixed assets. With more than 50,000 customers worldwide and offices throughout North America, it develops scalable, cost-effective solutions which complement core financial management systems and support the full spectrum of Microsoft platforms, including Windows(R) 95, Windows(R) 98, Windows NT(a) and BackOffice(R). For further information, call 800/368-2499, send an email to [e-mail], or access our Web site at www.bestsoftware.com.

(a)Best, Best Software and the Best logo are registered trademarks and CustomHRMS, Best Imperativ and Best! Imperativ HRMS are trademarks of Best Software. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.