SOFTBRANDS ANNOUNCES THE UPCOMING COMMERCIAL LAUNCH OF THE FOURTH SHIFT EDITION FOR SAP BUSINESS ONE

SoftBrands has announced the upcoming availability of the Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One, an industry-leading business management solution for small and midsize manufacturers. Scheduled for release on March 31, 2005, the Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One is the result of a solution partnership effort between SAP America, Inc. and SoftBrands.

SoftBrands' Fourth Shift manufacturing solution has been embedded within SAP Business One -creating the Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One. The solution is a powerful set of software applications that combine the sophisticated business controls, intuitive navigation and multiple customisation tools of SAP Business One with the flexibility and scalability of the functionally rich and diverse Fourth Shift manufacturing system.

"The release of the Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One is an important milestone in the strategic partnership between SoftBrands and SAP," said Dan Kraus, vice president, SAP Business One, SAP America, Inc. "The close cooperation between our companies has resulted in a fully-integrated solution precisely tailored to the needs of our SMB customers."

Thousands of businesses in more than 60 countries have enhanced manufacturing operations through the rapid delivery and deep functionality of Fourth Shift. Now small and midsize manufacturers in discrete and process environments can get the best of both worlds. The Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One is an affordable and functionally powerful solution for small- to midsize manufacturers that need to implement their first enterprise-wide system or replace dated ERP legacy systems.

"We believe that Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One will give Fischer & Wieser the capability to enhance our customer service experience and our competitiveness. We were also impressed with the depth of Fourth Shift's manufacturing functionality and with the benefits of SAP's global strengths. This technology is a critical component to our growth strategy," said Dan Sechrist, chief financial officer, Fischer & Wieser Specialty Foods.

"This unique product and alliance represents a major step forward in the small to midsize manufacturing market and reflects SoftBrands and SAP's respective positions as leaders with a clear vision for what it will take to succeed in the 21st century global, demand driven economy," said Randy Tofteland, SoftBrands president and chief operating officer. "We are confident about the long-term success of the Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One, beginning in the United States and as we go to market around the world, in the years ahead. Sales of the Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One have been growing in anticipation of its commercial availability. We believe this is a tremendous bellwether indicator of the future demand for this innovative product."