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Executive Information Solution Offers Easy Access to Key Performance Indicators for Every Area of Business

YARDLEY, PA, February 28, 2006 - It might seem counterintuitive to take a bird's eye view when drilling for details, but for Brad Slocum, business development manager at Burmeister Electric Company, a high-voltage electric equipment and supplies wholesaler based in Minneapolis, that's the best way to analyze business trends.

With the reporting and analysis needs of distributors like Slocum in mind, Activant Solutions Inc. has released an enhanced version of Knowledge Management Center (KMC), an executive management information solution for Activant Prophet 21™. KMC version 4.5 features a live update agent, the option to purge obsolete data, and high-level key performance indicators on the homepage.

KMC quickly summarizes sales, inventory, accounts receivables, accounts payables, and open orders, and allows distributors to set alerts whenever an activity falls outside a range the user predetermines. Executives can respond to changes in the marketplace in real time and make accurate forecasts when planning for the future, and key personnel can better manage their business objectives with access to key performance indicators.

"To stay competitive in today's economy, businesspeople must access, analyze, and respond to information in seconds," says Steve McLaughlin, senior vice president and general manager of the wholesale distribution group at Activant. "Knowledge Management Center 4.5 will help distributors make key business decisions as the market changes."

A Spotlight on Turns

"KMC throws spotlights on every aspect of our business - from inventory levels and turns to sales - to alert us to trends and help us achieve our goals," says Slocum. "If you're looking for an analysis package that cleanly integrates with Prophet 21, there's nothing quicker or easier."

Burmeister volunteered to be an early adopter of KMC version 4.5, now available, and Slocum is excited about the new features. "The ability to separate non-stock and direct-shipped items from actual warehouse inventory is huge for us," he says. "We can see true inventory turns and we're also better able to create forecasts and goals."

Burmeister's sales team will see benefits from being able to isolate inventory groups as well. "By breaking out product groups, we can spot inventory that isn't turning and figure out why," Slocum says. "We'll also be able to put more focus behind the products that turn the fastest."

Other features available in Knowledge Management Center 4.5 include:

• Live Update - Live Update minimizes manual update time by connecting directly to Activant's secure FTP site, where it will determine if you are running the latest software, search for updates, and allow you to install the update at a convenient time.
• Purge KMC Data - KMC 4.5 users can now purge prior month or year data automatically, at pre-scheduled times, which will streamline KMC access, cube building, and reporting, and allow users to more efficiently access vital business information while optimizing disk space.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPI) on Home Page - The new homepage provides KMC 4.5 users with a high-level, easy to interpret graphical display of Key Performance Indicators (KPI's) in the form of six "traffic lights" - one for each of the strategic areas within KMC - with the color displayed on each light providing instant feedback about the health of each strategic area.
• And Much More!

Pricing and Availability

Knowledge Management Center version 4.5 is currently available. For additional information and pricing, please visit http://distribution.activant.com or call 1-800-776-7438.

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