Made2Manage Systems Releases Version 5.5.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

INDIANAPOLIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 2003

New Version Contains More Than 200 Customer-Driven Enhancements

for Small and Midsize Discrete Manufacturing Organizations

Made2Manage Systems Inc. (Nasdaq:MTMS), a leading provider of comprehensive enterprise software for small and midsize manufacturers, today announced the release of version 5.5 (v5.5) of the Made2Manage(R) Enterprise Business System, slated for general availability in October. The latest Made2Manage Systems release includes more than 200 customer-driven enhancements built directly into the core product to improve production, financial and supply chain functionality. In addition, several new standalone and vertical industry-specific features have been added to help small manufacturing organizations streamline operations and optimize their enterprise software investment.

"Release v5.5 supports our ongoing strategy to maintain a flexible, easy-to-use, single technology infrastructure that caters to discrete make-to-order, assemble-to-order, engineer-to-order, and make-to-stock manufacturers," said Jeff Tognoni, CEO of Made2Manage Systems. "We listened to our customers' needs and upgraded the offering to provide our most robust, stable and flexible solution to date. Current and prospective customers will benefit from the added functionality designed to improve everyday operations and yield significant business returns."

Key enhancements found in v5.5 support the improved system management of shop floor resources, inter-facility materials, inventory, job orders, bills of material (BOMs), sales commissions and shipments. New features and functionality include, but are not limited to:

-- Form editing and customization tools

-- Automated shipment of high-quantity orders

-- BOM reference designators

-- Extended split commission options

-- Yield management by operation

-- Alternate resource and work center allocation

-- Add-and-carry shippers and receivers

-- Enhanced multi-facility capabilities

Beta Users Share Success

Made2Manage customers have already experienced significant returns and operational efficiencies since migrating to v5.5.

"Without the automated shipping queue, our shipping personnel had to create individual shippers using paper-based notifications from our sales department, and many times these shippers were created for unavailable parts," said Terry Weaver, systems administrator for Salco Products Inc. "Now we have visibility into the products that are available for shipment, and we can confirm multiple shippers with the click of a button. Overall, the new shipping queue will result in a 40 percent reduction in time and effort, as well as a reduction in printing costs."

Also found in v5.5 is M2M(TM) FastForms, a fully integrated editing tool that allows users to personalize and tailor the enterprise system to meet the unique needs of their manufacturing organization. M2M FastForms allows manufacturers to quickly and easily edit, create and modify standard forms and fields found in the system without disrupting system availability, contacting Made2Manage for assistance, or paying for technical resources.

"We're very excited about the extended flexibility that M2M FastForms has given us," said Stewart York, information system manager for Micro Mo Electronics, a Clearwater, Fla.-based company that specializes in the design, assembly and application of high-precision, miniature DC drive systems, components and controls. "Using M2M FastForms, we have integrated multiple databases and applications with Made2Manage Enterprise Resource Planning (M2M ERP), allowing us to connect all of our business processes together inside one system. As a result, we will exponentially cut the costs associated with running and maintaining multiple systems outside of our Made2Manage system."

Meeting the Needs of Vertical Manufacturers

Version 5.5's new reference designator feature confirms Made2Manage Systems' continued focus on meeting the vertical market specifications of its customer base. The reference designator tool, which allows manufacturers to assign specific components to their geographical locations on a circuit board, is fully integrated with the system's BOM functionality and will appeal to the company's strong electronics manufacturing customer base.

About Made2Manage Systems Inc.

Made2Manage Systems delivers a comprehensive enterprise business system designed specifically for the unique needs of small and midsize manufacturers. The company's extensible, end-to-end solution and award-winning customer services are designed to evolve with a manufacturer's individual business environment while protecting the original technology investment. Real-time scheduling and information retrieval capabilities help manufacturers maximize shop floor throughput and profitability, communicate more effectively with business partners across the supply chain, and quickly access meaningful data to make critical business decisions. With more than 25,000 licensed users, Made2Manage works with discrete manufacturers servicing a variety of industries, including industrial and commercial machinery, electronics, and rubber and plastics products. Visit the Made2Manage Systems Web site at www.made2manage.com. Made2Manage Systems may be reached via e-mail at [e-mail] or by calling [phone].