Career Systems Development Sees Workforce Optimization Gains With Implementation of Best! Imperativ HRMS.

Business Editors & Technical Writers

RESTON, Va.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 19, 2000

Award-Winning, Web-Native HR/Payroll Solution from Best Software

Reduces Paperwork and Simplifies Staff Budgeting Process

Best Software, Inc., a leading provider of HR/payroll, fixed asset and analytic solutions, today announced that Career Systems Development Corporation has selected and installed award-winning Best! Imperativ HRMS(TM) to consolidate and streamline its HR processes. Career Systems, based in Rochester, NY, is a for-profit corporation that works with at-risk youth and operates Job Corps Centers and juvenile justice treatment centers across the U.S.

According to Tom Kaminski, director of information services for Career Systems, the organization previously was using two different HR/payroll programs: one system at the national headquarters and another installed at each of its 14 field training offices across the country.

"Best! Imperativ HRMS was the only product we evaluated that offered fully Web-native functionality," said Kaminski. "With many remote locations, we needed to improve our intra-company communications and streamline our workflow. Having a single system that was built for the Internet from the ground-up, without need for specialized customizations, was essential."

Kaminski also anticipates that Best! Imperativ HRMS will help eliminate duplicate administrative efforts and solve reporting problems that the company has historically experienced. In fact, the product came out on top in every vendor review category based on cost, functionality and technology.

"Since we are a government contractor and are required to structure our organization and HR and payroll practices differently than most companies, it was important that we select a system that can accommodate the way we do business," said Kaminski. "The software's position-based versus employee-based layout was a big factor in our decision."

"Our workflow and accuracy will improve since all information from the field will go directly into a central database," he added. "We will be able to gather and analyze a lot of data about our 1,500 employees that had been under-utilized because of our lack of analysis tools for information such as hire dates, salary, titles and responsibilities, divisions and departments, grading and reviews, and employee benefits."

"Best! Imperativ HRMS offers a complete solution for Career Systems," said David Lindheimer, vice president and general manager of small enterprise products for Best Software. "By streamlining its stringent HR and payroll processing requirements, the software will help Career Systems be even more responsive to the social needs of their local communities."

Career Systems recently completed its first working session to convert data from the old system to Best! Imperativ HRMS. The company is currently undergoing implementation and training and expects to have a fully functional system in place by the beginning of next year.

About Best! Imperativ HRMS

In 1999, Best! Imperativ HRMS received "visionary" and "excellent" ratings by the Gartner Group and META Group affiliate SPEX, respectively, as part of their assessment of the industry's leading HR and payroll solutions. It was named one of the ten best HR products of 1998 by HR Executive magazine and, in 1998, Microsoft and Business Finance Magazine also named it "Best Complementary Mid-Market Application" for its use of Microsoft technology in delivering tangible customer benefits. Best! Imperativ HRMS holds "Designed for Microsoft BackOffice" certification, which confirms that it has leveraged key Microsoft BackOffice technologies and undergone rigorous, third party testing. In addition, Best Software holds "Partner" status within the Microsoft Certified Solution Provider program, the highest level attainable.

About Career Systems Development

A privately owned, for-profit corporation, Career Systems Development focuses on helping at-risk youth through the contracted operation of Job Corps Centers, the largest segment of the company's business. Career Systems has played a major role in the Job Corps program since it was initiated in 1964. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor, the Job Corps program helps disadvantaged youth by providing educational and vocational training in a residential setting, then placing graduates in jobs that use their new skills. In 1989, Career Systems established its Redirection Programs Division, providing residential treatment for adjudicated youth. The company also provides quality vocational assessment and placement services for unemployed youth and adults. For further information, visit their web site at www.careersystems.com.

About Best Software

Best Software, Inc., with more than 50,000 customers worldwide and offices in the US, Canada and Europe, is a leading provider of solutions which help organizations transform the way they manage their people, assets and planning. Its scalable, cost-effective solutions complement core financial management systems and support the full spectrum of Microsoft(R) platforms, including Windows(R) 95, Windows(R) 98, Windows NT(R) and BackOffice(R). In February 2000, Best Software entered into a merger agreement with The Sage Group plc, a leading worldwide supplier of accounting solutions, and is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sage Group. For further information, call 800/368-2499, send an email to [e-mail], or access our Web site at http://www.bestsoftware.com.

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