Industry-Leading ACT! and SalesLogix Solutions Join Best Software, Forming New CRM Division

SCOTTSDALE, AZ
July 1, 2002

Best Software today announced that Interact Commerce Corporation�s best-selling ACT! contact management and SalesLogix™ CRM solutions will join Best Software creating a CRM Division. The move further strengthens Best's position as a leading provider of front-office/back-office business management solutions for small and mid-size businesses (SMBs). Interact Commerce Corporation and Best Software were operating as sister organizations in the U.S. under their parent company, The Sage Group plc (London: SGE.L). The new division joins Best�s four existing Mid-Market, Small Business, Specialty Products, and Nonprofit/Government divisions.

"Best Software has built its SMB leadership around providing business management solutions that enable our small to medium size customers to succeed by gaining insight to their businesses," said Ron Verni, CEO of Best Software. "Individually, Interact and Best have been delivering comprehensive front-office/back-office solutions for small and mid-size organizations for some time. Offering all of these products under the Best Software brand will provide our customers with integrated CRM, accounting, and business management solutions they need to compete in today�s challenging environment and achieve even greater success."

Interact Commerce Corporation was acquired by The Sage Group plc in May 2001 to deliver its market-leading products, ACT! and SalesLogix , to Sage's installed base of nearly three million customers worldwide and specifically to Best Software's 1.6 million customers in the U.S. SalesLogix is the small business and mid-market CRM leader with more than 4,000 customers and ACT! is the best-selling contact manager with over four million individuals and 12,000 corporate accounts worldwide. Integration is currently available between SalesLogix and Best's MAS 90, MAS 200, and Best Enterprise Suite solutions, as well as between ACT! and Peachtree Accounting, MAS 90, and MAS 200. ACT! and SalesLogix will also continue to offer their customers back-office integration with other key providers.

"There are almost six million companies needing CRM in the SMB and mid-market segment. CRM technology decisions within these markets are driven by cost, ease-of-use, and the ability to integrate with existing applications," said Karen Smith, research director, CRM, Aberdeen Group. "Best Software currently has more than 1.6 million SMB customers. Best Software will now be able to deliver CRM, integrated accounting for commercial and non-profit organizations, business management, HR/payroll, and fixed asset solutions to small and mid-size organizations, enabling the company to continue to penetrate and gain market share among SMBs."

In related news, Pat Sullivan, formerly CEO of Interact Commerce, will continue working with Best Software and Sage Group, plc. in an advisory role as Vice Chairman offering insights on new technologies, trends, and the competitive landscape for the Customer Relationship Management marketplace. Management of Best's new CRM Division is shared by Greg Head and Tim Fargo, who will continue as general managers for ACT! and SalesLogix, respectively. Both will report directly to Best Software CEO Ron Verni.

Customer Quotes

ACT! and Peachtree Accounting
Fox & Hounds Ltd.
Mike Bennett
Vice-President, National Accounts & International

"The integration of ACT! with Peachtree Accounting expands my communication options with my customers and allows for more targeted marketing. It also reduces the amount of time spent maintaining our information since we no longer have to make additions and changes in two separate systems."

ACT! and MAS 90
Orpheus Music, Inc.
Mary Halvorson
Operations Director

"Any software can perform simple invoicing. But, MAS 90 integrated with ACT! is the only we found that offers the end-to-end functionality we need as distributors. For example, by integrating our sales and accounting information, our sales personnel can answer practically any question for customers while on the phone. If someone wants to buy 300 flutes for instance, we know immediately whether we have them in stock. We can be much more responsive."

SalesLogix and MAS 200
U.S. Kids Golf
Candy Cady
Director of Systems

"By integrating MAS 200 and SalesLogix, we can track everything from invoicing to sales preferences all in one easy-to-access location. When a salesperson investigates a particular account, they have virtually 70 percent of the information they�ll ever want on a single screen. What�s the customer�s credit limit? What did they order in sales last year? We have it all right there, saving an incredible amount of time. Our people love it because of the insights they gain about our customers. MAS 200 and SalesLogix integrate perfectly to provide the comprehensive functions we need in one package. The system covers every area for us."

SalesLogix and Best Enterprise Suite
Cemstone Products Company
Steve Abbot
VP and Financial Controller

"We're saving a great deal through increased accuracy with Best Enterprise Suite. It's a good, strong accounting package for us. We have combined our management of accounting, general ledger, sales order, manufacturing and inventory management through Best Enterprise with how we manage our overall customer interactions by integrating Best Enterprise with SalesLogix. We have a large number of field sales people but through SalesLogix we can manage who is calling on which customers, which customers need more attention and who was on our Christmas card list. We are running a quarter-billion dollar company on Best Enterprise and SalesLogix. We wouldn�t if it didn�t work effectively."

About Best Software

Best Software offers leading business management products and services that give over 1.6 million small- and mid-sized customers in North America the insight for success throughout the life of their business. Its parent company (London: SGE.L) supports nearly three million customers worldwide and has revenue of nearly $700 million. For more than 25 years, Best has delivered easy-to-use, scalable and customizable applications through its portfolio of leading brands, including Abra, MAS 90, FAS, MIP Nonprofit Series, SalesLogix, Peachtree and ACT!, among many others. For further information, please call 1-800-811-0961 or visit our website at www.bestsoftware.com/moreinfo.

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