SSA Global Technologies Announces the Release of Version 8 of BPCS; BPCS V8 Adds Market-Driven Functionality and Demonstrates SSA GT's Commitment to Meeting Its Clients' Requirements.

Business/High-Tech Editors

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 4, 2001

SSA Global Technologies (SSA GT), a worldwide provider of enterprise solutions and services, today announced the release of Version 8 of BPCS(R) (Business Planning and Control System), its flagship ERP solution for the industrial sector.

This major release includes several new vertical industry products, as well as more than 100 significant functional and technical enhancements.

"This timely release of BPCS V8 proves that SSA GT is committed to protecting its clients' investments by continuously improving its offerings," stated Mike Greenough, chief executive of SSA GT. "BPCS V8 is rich with new products and functionality and builds on our Open eRP interoperability strategy."

Functional enhancements include Lean Manufacturing Process (LMP) for both make-to-order and purchase-to-order organizations by using cell manufacturing and pull system techniques. LMP is designed to enable high-speed delivery of products by eliminating wasteful activities.

In addition, there are new vertical products available with the release of V8, Trade Funds Management and eRecords. Trade Funds Management is used to plan, control and track spending related to marketing products. SSA GT introduces support for FDA Compliance with Article 21 CFR Part 11 addressing the needs of clients in the heavily regulated pharmaceutical industry. These enhancements, along with others in V8, provide specific vertical market functionality, but have wider applicability across the industrial sector SSA GT serves.

Vertical industry enhancements are the result of a partnership between SSA GT and its clients. More than 18 months ago, SSA GT established the Global Industry Guide Groups for automotive supply, consumer goods and pharmaceutical/chemical industries. These Guide Groups meet regularly with SSA GT's solutions development team to define new market requirements and prioritize enhancements.

"BPCS product development is focused on meeting client needs, backed by market drivers. Through the Guide Group approach we can reduce the need to retrofit software and thereby simplify migration," said Martin Ambrose, Vice President for Solutions Management and Marketing. "This is mutually beneficial to our clients and SSA GT."

Technical developments in V8 mean all BPCS programs are now generated as ILE RPG objects. This enhances the interactive response time while at the same time reducing the load on the CPU. Another time saving change is the direct generation of Double-Byte Enabled programs, which will provide improved service to SSA GT clients in the Asia Pacific/Japan region.

European Products Group (EPG) which were formerly available as an add-on of three products (Nordic Enhancements, 3-Way Match, Local statutory/business requirements for Spain and Italy) is now a combined core product that addresses the statutory and business practice requirements in the Europe/Middle East/Africa region. EPG extends the BPCS financial functions in Accounts Payable, Accounts Receivable and Billing Products.

SSA GT has expanded its gateway technology with the first group of Direct Data Gateways (DDG's), which offer a direct connection to the BPCS database while still maintaining the integrity of the data. This new gateway technology will be used to compliment the current Semantic Message Gateways (SMG's) in the development of business to business, and e-business solutions with strategic partners.

The release of Version 8 marks the continuing revitalization of the company and its products. Earlier this year, SSA GT delivered BPCS for Windows NT / Windows 2000, a Web Browser Interface, extensions to our Business Intelligence solution and SSA GT Process Manager, a business process optimization tool.

About SSA Global Technologies

SSA Global Technologies is a leading provider of enterprise software and services to the world's industrial sector companies, dedicated to the assessment, design, development, implementation, and support of business solutions which improve business processes and increase profitability. SSA GT's core product, BPCS, is a flexible ERP platform that easily integrates with strategic partner applications to deliver e-commerce, business intelligence, customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain solutions. Worldwide, SSA GT is focused on addressing the needs of industrial sector companies, more specifically in the automotive supply, consumer goods (incorporating fast moving consumer goods, food/beverage and tobacco, and consumer electronics), pharmaceutical/chemical and general manufacturing industries. Headquartered in Chicago, SSA GT operates throughout North America, Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia/Pacific/Japan and Latin America. To find out more, visit the SSA GT's Web site at www.ssagt.com.

BPCS is a registered trademark; SSA Global Technologies and SSA GT are trademarks of SSA Global Technologies, Inc. Other products mentioned in this document are registered, trademarked or service marked, marked by their respective owners.