Sage 50 HR 2007 software suite ships with embedded MySQL database

Sage plans to embed MySQL into additional products in the UK and other countries

MySQL AB, a developer of the world's most popular open source database, has announced that the new Sage 50 HR 2007 software suite is now shipping to small businesses in the UK with embedded MySQL database technology. The announcement was made this morning at the Sage Visions 2007 conference in Telford, UK, and follows a global agreement between the Sage Group plc and MySQL AB signed last year. Sage also plans to embed MySQL into two other products, Sage 50 Accounts and Sage 50 Payroll, which plan to ship this time next year.

Part of Sage UK's new Sage 50 suite, Sage 50 HR 2007 is designed to help small businesses manage their people by recording, tracking and storing key information, such as employee details, training, time keeping, and professional skills in one place. This allows HR information to be easily updated, accessed and analysed -- giving companies the ability make well-informed decisions and comply with legal guidelines.

"MySQL is an extremely good fit for our small business software suite," said Klaus-Michael Vogelberg, Chief Technology Officer of The Sage Group plc. "It's low maintenance, cost effective and easy to use, which are all key requirements for SMEs in multi-user environments. It also enables us to empower our customers with more choice in how they use their Sage products in relation to operating systems and other applications."

Sage 50 HR 2007 integrates employee details with Sage Payroll 2007, enabling employee records created in Sage Payroll to be exported to Sage 50 HR, saving time and reducing duplication.

Globally, Sage plans to embed the MySQL database in additional products. In the coming months, Sage will be shipping its Simply Accounting software suite in Canada, and in 2008 its Peachtree suite in the US, with embedded MySQL database technology.

About Sage Group plc

The Sage Group plc is a leading global supplier of business management software solutions and related products and services, principally for small to medium-sized enterprises. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and now employs over 13,000 people worldwide.

About MySQL

MySQL AB develops and supports a family of high-performance, affordable database products. The company's flagship offering is 'MySQL Enterprise', a comprehensive set of production-tested software, proactive monitoring tools, and premium support services.

MySQL is the world's most popular open source database software. Many of the world's largest and fastest-growing organizations use MySQL to save time and money powering their high-volume Web sites, business-critical systems and packaged software -- including industry leaders such as Yahoo!, Alcatel-Lucent, Google, Nokia, YouTube, and Booking.com.

With headquarters in the United States and Sweden -- and operations around the world -- MySQL AB supports both open source values and corporate customers' needs.

"MySQL" and "MySQL Enterprise" are registered trademarks of MySQL AB in the European Union, the USA and other countries. Other product or company names mentioned may be trademarks or tradenames of their respective companies.