SYSPRO Enhances Award Winning STARS Implementation Methodology.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

APICS Conference

Booth #108

LAS VEGAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 7, 2003

SYSPRO, a leading producer of enterprise software, has announced major enhancements to the company's award-winning STARS Implementation Methodology. STARS will now be provided as a two-volume, high quality printed set for reference purposes with a template-based electronic CD-ROM containing an extensive array of documentation, implementation, information and project management tools.

According to Joey Benadretti, SYSPRO USA vice president, "The new STARS format will reduce consulting and implementation time even more. Now, customers and consultants have the added opportunity to capture information on computer instead of being restricted to a paper-based document. They can print individual sections at will or entire copies of the methodology for handout to selected individuals."

Though STARS was recently awarded the top K2 Quality Award for "Installation Channel/Methodology" for the second consecutive year, Benadretti said, "SYSPRO is continually working towards improvement regardless of how successful our products and tools are. We're intent on sustaining STARS as the industry standard and the most efficient methodology for ensuring the best enterprise implementations to suit SYSPRO customers."

The STARS (Structured Technique to Achieve a Rapid Solution) Implementation Methodology is a highly structured, business-centric methodology that guides implementers in all aspects of the implementation process and provides a framework by which business practices can be examined and re-energized to maximize overall operational efficiency.

STARS focuses on mapping SYSPRO enterprise software to business flows. It addresses such major functional areas as inventory and warehouse management as well as processes related to planning, purchasing, manufacturing, sales, distribution, financials, administration, APS, CRM, and .NET-based e-commerce.

STARS makes SYSPRO software the concentric framework by which a business can enhance flexibility and responsiveness, break down barriers between functional departments and eliminate the duplication of efforts. STARS also helps the customer to maximize the continuing utilization of SYSPRO software by providing, as it were, an "audit trail" approach upon which additional functionality and procedures can be built.

According to Benadretti: "Many businesses simply fail to examine and re-engineer their existing business processes at the time new software is being implemented. They attempt to 'lay' the new software on top of existing procedures and, therefore, expectations may not be fully realized. The more solid the implementation foundation, the better the chance to maximize utilization of the new software. Typically, this foundation is established via an internal audit, where the totality of existing business processes is noted and detailed, including the roles and responsibilities of individuals. With this audit as a starting point, business process re-engineering can be quickly maximized. STARS provides the guidelines for such an audit. In fact, the new electronic version of the STARS methodology now becomes the driving force during Joint Application Design (JAD) sessions."

SYSPRO, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner and Microsoft ISV, is a world leader in providing manufacturing, distribution and financial accounting software solutions with thousands of installations in more than 50 countries.

SYSPRO software, a fully integrated, modular enterprise-wide system, optimizes the abilities of single and multi-site manufacturers (repetitive, custom, quick-turn and mixed mode) and distributors. It offers outstanding price/performance and balance of functionality. More than 45 application modules cover financial controls, sales, purchasing, inventory control, MRP/production control, forecasting, distribution, Advanced Planning & Scheduling, Business Analytics and CRM, enabling firms to tailor solutions specific to their requirements.

SYSPRO is one of the world's most honored software companies. Recent milestones include: Voted Number One in Middle Market Category in the 2003 K2 Enterprises Annual Reseller/Consultants Accounting Software Survey; The top K2 Quality Award for "Installation Channel/Methodology" for the SYSPRO STARS Implementation Methodology in 2002 and 2003; Recipient of START Magazine's First Annual Vision Award (2001) and "Hottest Company" designation for four years (1999-2003); Finalist for Developer of the Year (2002) by Software Council of Southern California; Ranked Among World's Top Software Companies in 2003 by iSource Magazine, MSI Magazine (1995-2003) and Software Magazine; and Highest Ratings in Accounting and Manufacturing Software Reviews by CPA Software News for the past 10 consecutive years.

SYSPRO software is marketed worldwide through offices in the United States, Canada, Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom. SYSPRO headquarters for the Americas are located in Costa Mesa, Calif., from which the company markets SYSPRO supply chain software to established and emerging companies in the United States, Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean. Visit http://www.syspro.com or e-mail [e-mail].

For additional information, contact Stan Goodrich at 714/437-1000, ext. 248, or e-mail: [e-mail].

Note to Editors: All products mentioned in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.