Global Customers Confirm Support for Scalas Product Strategy

User conference for the Americas shows that customer confidence in Scalas products continues to grow

13 November 2001: At the Scala user conference for the Americas, held in Orlando, Florida on 25-26 October, Erik Haas, Vice President Operations for Scalas Americas Region, outlined how Scala Business Solutions continues to deliver collaborative ERP solutions based on standard Microsoft .NET technology. The program featured presentations about Scalas product strategy; developing, selling and supporting standard, integrated software products that automate or eliminate the predictable, complex, and frequently-redundant steps of doing business on a global scale.

Our customers acknowledged that this is a great time to be a Scala user," says Haas. Besides the continuous extension of the stable and functionality-rich Scala ERP applications, customers are enthusiastic about the new generation of Scala and iScala products they have seen in action during the conference. They continue to tell us that we have a clear and understandable product strategy that fits their business plans. The Scala Connectivity Solution in particular has already proved successful in global corporations, reducing administration tasks and improving customer service levels."
Haas key messages were endorsed by customers who attended the conference, like many of the participants at Scalas Corporate Client Council meeting in September (see press release 4 October).

The Scala user conference provides an opportunity for us to preview Scalas development plans, new partnerships and corporate direction," says Eric Smits, IT Director for Cargotec Inc., one of the worlds leading suppliers of load handling equipment for vehicles. It is an invaluable planning resource for any Scala installation. From what we heard at this conference we are convinced that Scala is on the right track for providing us, as customers, with solutions that will help us plan for increased business worldwide."

Haas comments, Using the Scala Connectivity Solution, for instance, our customers can now seamlessly exchange information between their Scala systems and the ERP and other applications at their headquarters, or at their customers, suppliers and partners. We are generally the low-cost solution for our global customers compared to the high-cost of many of our global competitors. So in the light of the recent events in America and the perceived slowdown in the economy, Scala software is more then ever the best choice for the subsidiaries of global companies looking to reduce the costs of deploying applications worldwide."

He continues, Our ongoing investment in research and development and related services will assure our customers that their investment in Scala will continue to give them the competitive edge they need to be successful in the Americas, both in North and Latin America. An example of this is Scala 5.1L, a localised version of our standard software that directly addresses the needs of over 150 customers doing business in Latin American markets."

The strong relationships Scala has with the right implementation partners, such as SCS-BMS and Softtek in Latin America, is further evidence of the companys commitment to give its customers the best service, no matter where they, their subsidiaries, divisions or suppliers, may be. Haas concludes, We are strongly committed to continue supplying the Americas region with fully-localised collaborative ERP solutions and to take advantage of the fact that we can do this on cost-effective Microsoft platforms."

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Notes to Editors
About Scala Business Solutions
Scala Business Solutions creates collaborative ERP software -- integrating Internet technology and traditional ERP functionality -- to make global business simple. With Scala, global companies can fully integrate all their ERP systems anywhere in the world, whether in a subsidiary, division or headquarters, and extending to their partners and suppliers. Scalas collaborative ERP software makes it possible for global companies to meet the requirements for advanced e-business as well as use a standard ERP product for managing traditional business processes. This enables them to gain measurable benefits from trading electronically, building a private exchange or global portal, or optimising the supply chain.
From offices in Europe, North America and the Far East, and through its network of partners and dealers, Scala delivers software and services that are available in over 30 languages in more than 100 countries.

Scala is listed on the Euronext Amsterdam Stock Exchange (symbol: SCALA). 2000 revenue was USD 71.2 million.

Visit Scalas website at www.scala.net for press information including press releases, information for investors, and company and product information.

© 2001 Scala Business Solutions, NV. All rights reserved. Scala® is a registered trademark. Other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.