Progress Partners Work Together to Unveil SOA-Based, Mid-Market Soluti

    Business Editors/Technology Editors
    National Manufacturing Week 2005

    BEDFORD, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 9, 2005--

    Epicor(R), Leading Provider of Integrated Manufacturing Systems, and BMH, a Leading Provider of HR Technology Combine to Offer Manufacturers Highly Purposed, Seamless Application

    The OpenEdge Division, an operating unit of Progress Software Corporation (Nasdaq: PRGS), a leading supplier of technology for building the world's best business applications, today announced that application partners (APs) Epicor Software Corporation (Nasdaq: EPIC), a leading provider of integrated enterprise software solutions for the mid-market and BMH, Inc., the provider of the Open4 comprehensive human resource information system (HRIS), will be unveiling a new collaborative product this week at the manufacturing industry's largest trade show, National Manufacturing Week in Chicago (booth #4822). The new module, Vantage(R) HRIS, complements Epicor's Vantage manufacturing products by seamlessly integrating Open4's HRIS product, with its rich support for HR functions such as applicant tracking, benefit programs management, workforce training and development, and simplifying complex calculations such as union dues and benefits, as well as allowing Epicor's customers to comply with ever-changing governmental regulations such as Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO), Veterans Employment and Training Service (VETS), Occupational Health and Safety Administration (OSHA), and Affirmative Action Program reporting (AAP).
    "We selected BMH's Open4 solution to power our new Vantage HRMS offering because of its proven track record in providing an integrated HRIS with the full functionality and flexibility that are the hallmarks of Progress(R) OpenEdge(TM) applications," says John Hiraoka, senior vice president of worldwide marketing for Epicor. "The combined product offering further enhances our strategy of providing midmarket companies with a single source for their enterprise software needs. Vantage HRIS will empower Epicor customers to streamline human resources processes for more cost effective and strategic management, further strengthening our already robust offering to manufacturers."
    Based on the OpenEdge(TM) platform, Epicor's Vantage 8.0 technology marries Progress' rock solid database with a .NET user interface to develop the industry's first manufacturing solution completely based on a service oriented architecture (SOA), optimized for high performance and collaboration across the globally expanding supply chain. Vantage addresses the core business needs of make-to-order and mixed-mode manufacturers with built-in workflows managing the entire order cycle from marketing and sales through production and planning, sourcing and procurement, installation and service, through to financial recognition. Because Open4 is also based on the OpenEdge platform and has HR industry expertise built-in, Epicor is able to seamlessly integrate it, offering Epicor customers tailored manufacturing and HR technologies.
    "We completely understand what you need to manage the employee life-cycle and how difficult it can be to keep up with government regulations and we have built that in-depth knowledge into our Open4 technology," said Steve Severance, director of business development at BMH. "Epicor and its customers will not have to worry about being experts in HR or government compliance. We've got it covered so they can continue to focus on their core business and effectively getting their products to market."
    "Progress is particularly pleased to see members of our AP community forming their own partnerships to integrate complementary applications and form suites of best-of-breed, modular OpenEdge-based application components," said David Ireland, president of the Progress OpenEdge Division and senior vice president of Progress Software. "This is a great illustration of how our partners and their customers can benefit from SOA. Epicor and BMH have optimized the OpenEdge SOA architecture to offer a competitive advantage to their customers and each other."

    About BMH, Inc.

    Based in Addison, Texas, BMH (www.OPEN4.com) is a leading supplier of quality HR and Payroll software. Since 1980, BMH has been selling and supporting its software applications and their flagship product, the OPEN4(R) HRIS/Payroll Suite across the USA, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

    About Epicor Software Corporation

    For 20 years, Epicor has been a recognized leader dedicated to providing integrated enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and supply chain management (SCM) software solutions to midmarket companies around the world. With the acquisition of Scala, Epicor is a global leader in the midmarket serving over 20,000 customers in over 140 countries. Epicor leverages innovative technologies like Web services in developing end-to-end, industry-specific solutions for manufacturing, distribution, enterprise service automation, and hospitality that enable companies to immediately drive efficiency throughout business operations and build competitive advantage. With the scalability and flexibility to support long-term growth, Epicor's solutions are complemented by a full range of services, providing a single point of accountability to promote rapid return on investment and low total cost of ownership. Epicor's worldwide headquarters are located in Irvine, California with offices and affiliates around the world. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.epicor.com.

    About the Progress OpenEdge Division

    The Progress OpenEdge Division is an operating unit of Progress Software Corporation (Nasdaq: PRGS), a $300+ million global software industry leader. The Progress OpenEdge Division simplifies the development, deployment, integration, and management of the world's best business applications. The Progress OpenEdge Division and its 2,000 Application Partners offer more than 5,000 OpenEdge-based business applications that precisely fit customer needs and deliver competitive advantage. Customers purchase more than $5 billion annually in OpenEdge-based software and services from Progress Software Corporation and its partners.
    The Progress(R) OpenEdge(TM) platform enables its partners to rapidly build and deliver lowest cost-of-ownership applications. Progress Software Corporation also conducts business through its other operating units: Sonic Software, DataDirect Technologies, and ObjectStore. Headquartered in Bedford, Mass., Progress Software can be reached on the Web at http://www.progress.com or by phone at +1-781-280-4000.

    Progress, OpenEdge, and Progress OpenEdge are trademarks or registered trademarks of Progress Software Corporation in the U.S. and other countries. Any other trademarks or service marks contained herein are the property of their respective owners.

--30--GK/bo*

CONTACT: Progress Software Corporation Candace Clemens, 781-280-4101 cclemens@progress.com or Schwartz Communications, Inc. Joan Geoghegan, 781-684-0770 progress@schwartz-pr.com

KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS TRACK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE INTERNET E-COMMERCE TRADESHOW PRODUCT SOURCE: Progress Software Corporation

Copyright Business Wire 2005