SYSPRO Implementation Methodology Wins Top Industry Award for Third Year in Succession.

COSTA MESA, Calif. -- SYSPRO, a leading producer of enterprise software, has announced that the SYSPRO implementation methodology, STARS, has been awarded the 2004 K2 Quality Award for "Installation Channel/Methodology." This is the third year in succession that STARS has been the recipient of the award.

K2 Enterprises, a highly respected organization that provides technology consulting and lectures on technology topics, selected the SYSPRO STARS Implementation Methodology for the award based on a polling of the entire K2 teaching staff. "It was almost a unanimous win," noted Randy Johnston, executive vice president, K2 Enterprises. "We're not aware of any competitor that has created a methodology that is as effective as SYSPRO STARS."

The competition was open to all technology products, hardware and software, in the marketplace.

Joey Benadretti, SYSPRO USA vice president, said of the recognition: "This third win for STARS is really an affirmation that the SYSPRO Implementation Methodology is rapidly becoming the industry standard. The SYSPRO STARS Methodology speeds software implementation for a faster ROI and, at the same time, helps a company to streamline its business processes for greater operational efficiency. This award reflects SYSPRO's capability to ensure that implementations are structured and managed. Customers now have visibility over the entire implementation process with the result that costs can remain within budget and implementation timeframes are met."

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 procedure and provides a framework by which business practices can be examined and re-energized to maximize overall operational efficiency.

STARS is 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 that focus on mapping SYSPRO enterprise software to business flows. STARS offers templates for 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" upon which additional functionality and procedures can be built.

According to Benadretti: "Many businesses simply fail to examine 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. Any implementation process has to have a starting point - a foundation. The more solid the 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 maximized. STARS provides the guidelines for such an audit. In fact, the STARS library of documents can be used during Joint Application Design (JAD) sessions for the defining of business processes when the detailed requirements for each business area are being documented. During such sessions, any areas of the system that require re-engineering are highlighted as well as the suggestions for improving the processes."

SYSPRO software meets the comprehensive information technology needs of emerging companies with a totally integrated solution that encompasses: ERP, APS, CRM, Business Analytics and E-Commerce. The software enables companies in a variety of industries to maximize the planning and management of business processes to better position themselves in their respective markets, ensure customer fulfillment, and ultimately, to improve bottom-line results.

The most recent release of SYSPRO enterprise software is SYSPRO 6.0, the core of which is SYSPRO e.net solutions, a component-based architecture built on Microsoft's .NET architecture and XML standard. SYSPRO e.net solutions further provides a highly cost-effective way for SYSPRO customers to integrate best-of-breed applications, maximize business-to-business trading and leverage wireless connectivity.

SYSPRO, a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner, is a world leader in providing manufacturing, distribution and financial accounting software solutions with thousands of installations in more than 60 countries.

SYSPRO is one of the world's most honored software companies. Milestones include: 2004 Software Company of the Year (Software Council of Southern California); 2004 Microsoft ISV of the Year (SA); top ranking in the 2004 K2 Enterprises Accounting Software Survey in Small to Medium Enterprise Software category for the third year in a row; and selection as one of the Top 100 Logistics Companies in 2004 by Inbound Logistics Magazine.

Other recent SYSPRO honors include: State of California Certificate of Recognition (2003); recipient of START Magazine's First Annual Vision Award and "Hottest Company" designation for last 5 years; runner-up for Developer of the Year (2002) by Software Council of Southern California; ranking among World's Top Software Companies in 2003 by iSource Magazine; MSI Magazine (1995 through 2003) and Software Magazine (2003 and 2004); and highest ratings in Accounting and Manufacturing Software Reviews by CPA Software News/CPA Technology Advisor for 10 consecutive years.

SYSPRO software is marketed worldwide through offices in the United States, Canada, Africa, Australia and the United Kingdom.

For more information please see www.syspro.com or e-mail at: [e-mail]. For additional information, please contact Stan Goodrich at 714-437-1000, ext. 248, or e-mail: [e-mail].