Energize, Extend and Empower Your Enterprise at Frontstep Forum 2002.

Business Editors

COLUMBUS, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 17, 2002

Frontstep, Inc. (Nasdaq:FSTP), a leading provider of business solutions for manufacturers, today unveiled details for its upcoming Frontstep Forum 2002, November 10-13, at The Mirage Resort in Las Vegas.

The theme of this year's event is "Energize, Extend and Empower," and these words embody the spirit of the conference.

While the economy may have temporarily slowed, the pace of innovation and change in manufacturing has not. It is now more crucial than ever for companies to synchronize their business with customer expectations and define strategies for success. Frontstep Forum 2002, a global gathering for manufacturing leaders, will provide a valuable forum for business and technology executives to learn more about making the best use of their information technology investments to drive improvements and advance their business. During this year's annual fall event, the company will demonstrate how its comprehensive enterprise suite can help manufacturers automate and optimize the unique processes that define their businesses today, and position them for success tomorrow.

During the conference, attendees will have the opportunity to hear first-hand about customer experiences with Frontstep solutions, gain knowledge about the latest trends from industry experts and experience live product demonstrations. Frontstep customers will also have the opportunity to learn more about SyteLine 7, the company's new extended ERP suite delivered on a single platform: Microsoft .NET.

"This year's event brings to the forefront critical issues challenging manufacturers today -- increased customer expectations, emerging technologies, automated processes, and the demand for greater operational efficiency," said Stephen A. Sasser, president and chief executive officer. "In today's challenging economy, every employee is being asked to do more to advance their business. Our conference agenda is packed with sessions designed to assist our customers in developing effective IT strategies that allow them to make considerable gains with modest investments and operate with confidence."

Featured presenters will address the company's strategy, trends in manufacturing, the direction of Frontstep's CustomerSynchronized solutions and more. In his scheduled keynote address, John Brandt, president, publisher and editorial director, Chief Executive Magazine, will focus on "Leadership During Change: The New Shape of Customer Value." During his presentation, Brandt will outline how leaders can rethink and reinvent the customer value their organizations deliver. He will also detail the effect that the new shape of customer value will have on the very nature and form of the manufacturing, sales and customer service functions.

Other sessions will address additional business transformation strategies. Jim Shepherd, senior vice president and general manager, enterprise management service, AMR Research, Inc., will present trends in manufacturing that leverage technology investments, extend the enterprise and help manufacturers grow their business. Sidney Hill, executive editor of MSI magazine, and Dr. Ken Musselman, Frontstep supply chain evangelist, will draw on their decades of experience to provide tips on how to determine when new technology can provide real business value. Gale Mote, principal, Gale Mote Associates, will review the adoption of lean manufacturing practices and the importance of creating ownership and enthusiasm for successful implementation. Additional presenters at this year's conference include manufacturing industry and .NET experts from Microsoft.

Product-related breakout sessions and workshops throughout the conference will include customer success stories featuring Frontstep CRM, SyteLine Business Intelligence, Frontstep APS, SyteLine Workflow Automation and other solutions designed to increase business and operational efficiencies and maximize return on business system investment.

To register, or to get more information about Frontstep Forum 2002, visit: http://www.frontstepforum.com.

About Frontstep

Frontstep is a leading global provider of software and services for discrete, to-order manufacturers. With more than 20 years of experience, Frontstep leverages the Microsoft .NET platform to help manufacturers create and implement solutions -- including extended ERP, customer relationship management, and supply chain management -- that simplify and streamline business processes and operations. Through these innovative and practical solutions, manufacturers can respond better and faster to customer demands for quality products and services.

Frontstep, formerly Symix, is headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, and has more than 4,400 customer sites and 26 offices worldwide. For more information visit www.frontstep.com.

Safe Harbor under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This press release may contain forward-looking statements that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to vary materially from the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the demand for and market acceptance of the company's products and services, the impact of competitive products, the company's ability to increase sales and earnings, the current economic climate, the worldwide political uncertainties and other factors detailed in Frontstep's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to revise or update or publicly release the results of any revision or update to these forward-looking statements.

Frontstep is a trademark of Frontstep Solutions Group, Inc. All other trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.