Best Software and Nextel Help Accountants Go Wireless

Best Software today announced a new partnership with Nextel Communications Inc. , aimed at helping accountants across North America instantly contact their clients and access data, while on the go. Through this partnership, members of the Best Software Accountants Network (BSAN) will have access to the benefits of Nextel's products and services at their fingertips.

Accountants who regularly visit and work at client sites understand the importance of instant access to their voice mail and the ability to read, compose, answer, forward or delete e-mail and documents and to manage their calendars. Nextel's wireless voice and data services provide this access in a single handset, the Nextel BlackBerry 7520(TM). The BlackBerry 7520 features Bluetooth® technology, that allows accountants to be wire-free from headsets and earpieces; speaker phone; enhanced attachment viewing and storing of .JPG, .BMP, .GIF, .PNG and .TIF files; 32 MB flash memory plus 4 MB SRAM to provide ample storage for data and applications; automatic wireless synchronization of calendar, contacts, email notes and tasks; and is GPS enabled to help local emergency services. All of these capabilities are now available to BSAN members.

As technology and the accounting profession continue to evolve, accountants' roles are changing; they must look for new ways to provide superior service to their clients, while maintaining deadlines and staying within budget. Nextel's Nationwide Direct Connect(SM) and International Direct Connect(SM) services allow accountants to connect in less than a second, simply by using the push-to-talk button located on the side of every Nextel handset. With Nationwide Direct Connect(SM) and International Direct Connect(SM), an employee working at a client site can immediately reach a staff accountant back at the office, or an accountant working in Houston can instantly contact a client traveling in Mexico. The Group Connect(SM) feature enables up to 25 people in a single market area to instantly and simultaneously connect for a conference call through their walkie-talkie feature. These cost-effective communication tools are featured on the BlackBerry 7520 and can save time and money by providing instant access to people and data, from the office or the field.

"We're constantly looking for new ways to support our BSAN members, help them to provide world-class service to their own clients, and stay competitive in a rapidly changing environment," said Ed Cheeseman, director, BSAN. "Our partnership with Nextel supports this goal, by providing our accountant partners with an affordable mobile communications resource, reducing the downtime experienced in being away from the office, and helping our accountant partners stay connected with their clients and staff."

"Nextel already has many loyal accounting customers, because we offer products and services that meet the demands of today's mobile professionals, such as Nationwide and International Direct Connect(SM) on all phones and our BlackBerry 7520 to help them get things done," said Henry Stoever, senior director, Industry Marketing, Nextel. "We are excited about our partnership with BSAN, because it gives us an opportunity to educate more accountants on how Nextel can increase their responsiveness to their clients' demands and bring new value and insight into the client relationship."

BSAN members can contact 1-800-722-9336 or visit the website www.nextel.com for more information.

About Best Software 0 Best Software offers leading business management products and services that give more than 2.3 million small and mid-sized customers in North America the insight for success throughout the lives of their businesses. Its parent company, The Sage Group plc , supports 4.3 million customers worldwide. For more than 25 years, Best Software has delivered easy-to-use, scalable and customizable applications through its portfolio of leading brands, including Abra®, ACCPAC®, ACT!®, BusinessVision®, CPASoftware®, FAS®, MAS 90®, MAS 200®, MAS 500®, MIP®, Peachtree®, SalesLogix®, and Timberline® Office, among many others. For more information, please visit the Web site at www.bestsoftware.com/moreinfo or call (866) 308-BEST.

© 2005 Best Software, Inc. All rights reserved.

NEXTEL, DIRECT CONNECT, GROUP CONNECT, NATIONWIDE DIRECT CONNECT and INTERNATIONAL DIRECT CONNECT are service marks, trademarks, and/or registered trademarks owned by Nextel Communications, Inc.

Distributed by Market Wire