Macola Software provides end users with industry firsts with new releases.

MARION, Ohio--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 1997--Macola Software, an award winning developer of accounting, distribution, and manufacturing software for PC and LAN environments, has placed into General Release two more modules of its Windows-based Version 7.0 Progression Series: Production Order Processing (POP) and Assets and Depreciation (A/D). Prior to being placed in General Release, both modules underwent thousands of hours of quality assurance testing and field testing by selected end users in various business environments.

Production Order Processing streamlines the manufacturing process by providing users flexibility in planning and tracking production without the complexities of an ERP solution. The latest version of Assets and Depreciation has many new features, including the ability to address projections beyond the year 2000 -- one of the first modules in the industry to do so.

In addition to its ability to calculate year 2000 projections, Macola's Assets and Depreciation module also enables users to maintain and track their company's fixed assets as well as plan for future depreciation by creating various "what if" scenarios. The A/D module offers seamless integration with Macola's General Ledger module and gives users a new Accumulated Depreciation Report for auditors, showing changes in Accumulated Depreciation for a user-specified period of time.

The features available in POP provide end users with a unique variety of options in setting up a manufacturing solution. Explains Lou Unkeless, Macola's vice president of client services, "POP was designed specifically to provide distributors, assemblers and quick-turn manufacturers the ability to effectively control kitting, assembly and production." Additionally, POP is effective for those companies that are in the first phase of moving toward a complete ERP solution. "POP can also be used by those companies that know as they grow, their manufacturing requirements will become more complex, eventually evolving their solution into a full-blown ERP system," says Unkeless. POP is one of the first modules in the industry to provide extensive manufacturing functionality without being a full ERP system.

In order to guarantee the quality and stability of the modules and their features, both POP and A/D went through an extensive testing process. According to Scott Williams, Macola's product marketing manager, the testing is a two-phase process. "We put our software through rigorous testing in our in-house labs and then allow selected end users to put the software to the test in their business environments. This testing ensures the product we release is the most error-free, feature rich product we can develop," said Williams. "With the testing the POP and A/D modules have gone through, Macola feels confident these modules are ready for general release and ready to help end users maximize their productivity."

Macola Software specializes in the development of high-end accounting, distribution and manufacturing software for personal computers and LAN environments. With worldwide installations of nearly 15,000 sites and more than 145,000 users, Macola has a presence in more than 30 countries. Macola was named in the February 1996 issue of Windows Magazine as one of the Top 100 Software Products for 1995. Macola is a four-time winner (1987-1993) of the PC Magazine/Price Waterhouse "Editors' Choice" award and a 1995 winner of an Honorable Mention award. Macola was also ranked first in the 1994, 1995 and 1996 CTS Software Accounting Survey. For 1994, 1995, 1996 and 1997, Macola was named to Accounting Today's list of "Top 100 Accounting Software Products," and was included in Manufacturing Systems' 1994 and 1996 choices of "Top 50 Manufacturing Software Vendors." Macola's MRP II software also has received a "Readers Choice" award from Manufacturing Systems. Macola is a recipient of a four-star rating from Software Digest/NSTL Publications and a two-time winner of LAN Magazine's Product of the Year award.

For more information about Macola Software products, contact the Macola Response Center at extension 550. Callers in the United States and Canada can dial 800-468-0834, and those outside the U.S. and Canada can dial 614-382-5999. Information also can be obtained by visiting Macola's Web page at www.macola.com . For public relations-related questions, call Phyllis S. Butterworth, manager of public relations, at extension 242, or David E. Whitehead, public relations specialist, at extension 209.

CONTACT: Macola Media Relations

Phyllis S. Butterworth, 800/468-0834, ext. 242

David E. Whitehead, 800/468-0834, ext. 209