SAGE MAS 90 CUSTOMER SUPPORT CENTER EARNS PRESTIGIOUS SUPPORT CENTER PRACTICES (SCP)CERTIFICATION THIRD YEAR IN A ROW

Customer Support Center is recognized for meeting the highest customer support standards.

“We are very honored to receive our third consecutive SCP Certification for the MAS 90 and MAS 200 customer support center,” said Jim Moore, vice president of customer support and information services for Sage Software. “By continuing to meet and even exceed SCP’s strict support center guidelines, our customers and partners are assured the highest quality of customer support possible.”

Based on its audit scores, the Sage MAS 90 and MAS 200 customer support center excelled in the area of productivity tools which includes all automated systems related to its support knowledge base, case tracking system and customer database. The center also received high marks for electronic service deliveries such as customer service via the Internet, established Internet presence, online help, downloadable updates, online support forums and chat rooms, and the online knowledge base. In addition, the audit highlighted Sage’s customer satisfaction scores.

“Sage continues to demonstrate its commitment to service excellence year after year. Attainment of SCP Certification for the third consecutive year is a testament to this commitment,” said Greg Coleman, principal and vice president of certification for Service Strategies Corporation. “Sage provides an excellent example of how SCP Certification can drive continuous improvement in support operations.”

Service Strategies Corporation conducts comprehensive on-site audits to confirm that companies meet the requirements of more than 100 business elements defined in the SCP program. SCP Certification measures factors such as corporate commitment and strategic direction, customer satisfaction, performance metrics, research and development interface, and other strategic areas of the support operation. Certified companies must continue to demonstrate their commitment to excellence and high- performance standards through annual re-certification audits.

Sage Software, a founding member of the SCP program, was the first software company to receive certification. Sage, and approximately 76 other companies represent about 140 support centers around the world participating in the SCP program. These companies include industry leaders such as CompuCom (CMPC), Intuit Inc. (INTU), Xerox Corporation (XRX), Lucent Technologies (LU), Mentor Graphics Corporation (MENT), Silicon Graphics Inc (SGI), Lockheed Martin Inc. (LMT), Microsoft Ltd. Europe, and Sabre Inc. (TSG), among others.

“SCP Certification has established itself as the global standard for service quality and is being rapidly adopted by leading technology companies like Sage Software,” said Bill Rose, founder and executive director of the SSPA. “Sage’s third consecutive SCP Certification and recent fourth consecutive STAR Award win clearly establish the company’s leadership position among its peers in delivering service excellence. Sage continues to demonstrate a relentless and solid commitment to delivering the best customer support at the highest possible standards.”

About Support Center Practices (SCP) Certification
The Support Center Practices (SCP) Certification program was developed to address service quality issues that affect the rapidly growing technology support industry. Thirty-five companies, representing the core membership of the Software Support Professionals Association (SSPA) created the program along with Service Strategies Corporation. These companies contributed their insight and perspective into defining the key elements required for delivering world-class support. The SSPA is made up of more than 500 of the world’s leading technology companies and provides a value-added forum where service and support professionals share ideas and discuss developing trends. For more information about SSPA, visit www.supportgate.com. Service Strategies Corporation is responsible for administering the SCP Certification program and conducting on-site certification audits. For more information about SCP Certification, contact Service Strategies Corporation at 858.674.4864 or visit the company’s Web site at www.supportgate.com.

About Sage Software, Inc.
Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Sage Software, Inc. (www.us.sage.com) is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Sage Group plc, the world's leading e-business management and accounting software solution provider with more than 2 million customers. In order to provide all-encompassing e-business management solutions, Sage offers software from Sage Software, Inc., and its sister companies Best Software, Inc. and Peachtree Software, Inc. Peachtree, Sage DacEasy and Sage BusinessWorks are just a few of the easy-to-use products offered with full accounting features needed by most small businesses of up to 50 employees. Sage MAS 90 and client/server-based Sage MAS 200 are the leading accounting and e-business management software packages for medium-sized businesses with up to 500 employees, and are recommended by more CPAs than any other mid-range accounting product. Sage Enterprise Suite, formerly Acuity, is perfect for larger businesses of 500 or more employees. Sage Enterprise is the integration leader with existing line-of-business applications, exemplified by its three-time recognition for Best Technology Integration at the Microsoft Industry Solution Awards.

NOTE TO EDITORS: If you would like more information on Sage Software, Inc. and its products, please view the Sage Software press center at: www.us.sage.com/press/default.htm. Sage is a U.K. trademark of The Sage Group plc. Sage Enterprise Suite, Sage MAS 90, Sage MAS 200, Sage BusinessWorks, and Sage DacEasy are trademarks of Sage Software, Inc. Peachtree is a registered trademark of Peachtree Software, Inc. All other brands referenced herein are the trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.