Microsoft Business Solutions and Surebridge Launch CRM Online

REDMOND, Wash., and LEXINGTON, Mass., March 18, 2003 — Microsoft Business Solutions and Surebridge Inc., the leading application outsourcer for the middle market, today launched a fast, easy and affordable way to use Microsoft®
Business Solutions Customer Relationship Management.

CRM Online by Surebridge enables midsize businesses to obtain immediate access to all the functionality of Microsoft CRM anywhere and any time, without the responsibility of deployment or daily management of the technology.

By choosing the CRM Online solution, customers can begin to see the benefits of a customer relationship management (CRM) solution the same day they sign up for the online service. With Surebridge experts handling the deployment and ongoing management of the technology, customers can focus on the business processes of their CRM solution. In addition, CRM Online delivers all the benefits of an online application without compromising flexibility and functionality, and can be easily integrated into other Microsoft solutions including Microsoft Office, Microsoft Exchange and Microsoft Business Solutions financial management applications, as well as Microsoft-centric third-party CRM applications.

Surebridge, a Microsoft Business Solutions Inner Circle member, is the first application outsourcer to offer Microsoft CRM in a hosted environment. Surebridge recently bolstered its Microsoft Business Solutions expertise and national footprint with the acquisition of ManagedOps.com Inc., a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Hosting and Application Services. The combined company offers midmarket organizations considerable CRM expertise and front-to-back office integration capabilities.

The companies collaborated on the development of the online service and have agreed to jointly market and support CRM Online, which will be sold through Surebridge’s network of Microsoft-certified channel partners.

Surebridge is offering CRM Online for an introductory monthly fee of $99 (U.S.) per user, with a one-time $695 setup fee, not including Microsoft CRM licensing. Pricing for Microsoft CRM licenses range from $395 (U.S.) per user plus $995 (U.S.) for the server for the Standard Sales level to $1,295 (U.S.) per user plus $1,990 (U.S.) for both sales and service servers at the Professional Suite level.

Customer Choice

Time to market was a leading reason why CNC Systems Inc., an international machine tools distributor based in Kennebunkport, Maine, chose the online service over an in-house deployment.
“We had all the necessary technological ingredients to implement the software, but calculated that getting our salespeople equipped quickly with CRM Online would be far more valuable for developing business and servicing our customers,”
said Mark Kilburn, controller at CNC.

“We’re very excited to have Surebridge offer CRM Online because the company provides the expertise needed to ensure customers have a successful deployment in a hosted environment,”
said David Thacher, general manager for CRM at Microsoft Business Solutions.
“The combination of Microsoft CRM and CRM Online by Surebridge enables midmarket organizations to increase their business productivity, maintain a low total cost of ownership for their CRM solution, and integrate with other Microsoft and third-party solutions. CRM Online will provide a flexible option for companies looking to deploy Microsoft CRM in a hosted environment.”

“We are pleased to be extending our relationship with Microsoft Business Solutions as the first application outsourcer to offer Microsoft CRM in a hosted environment,”
said Peter J. Boni, chairman and CEO of Surebridge.
“For a low monthly fee, CRM Online by Surebridge alleviates the complexities of deployment and the ongoing management of the solution. Companies can be assured they will receive a world-class solution delivered with exceptional customer service from a financially viable provider with a solid track record of success.”

Microsoft CRM enables midsize businesses to build more profitable customer relationships through increased sales effectiveness and more-consistent customer service. Microsoft CRM is designed for rapid deployment, ease of use, and integration with Microsoft Office and Microsoft Great Plains®
back-office solutions. It helps increase information reliability, employee usage and productivity.

About Surebridge

Surebridge, the leading application outsourcer for middle market companies, delivers brand name application choice, such as Microsoft Business Solutions, and affordable strategy, implementation and outsourcing services. Surebridge is a member of the Microsoft Business Solutions Inner Circle, an accomplishment earned by firms whose sales achievement ranks them at the top echelon of Microsoft Business Solutions’ global network of value-added reselling partners. Surebridge, which achieved profitability early last year, is the only application outsourcer that can provide a comprehensive portfolio of totally integrated front-to-back end ERP, CRM and eBusiness solutions. By providing outsourced business-critical enterprise-level applications, Surebridge provides tremendous cost savings to its customers. In addition, Surebridge’s offerings are enhanced with a constant eye toward value through high-touch customer service. Surebridge offers vertical expertise in the manufacturing/distribution, financial services, healthcare/pharmaceutical, services, publishing/media and communications, retail and public sector industries. The company was founded in 1997 and is headquartered in Lexington, Mass. For more information, please visit http://www.surebridge.com/, or call (781) 372-3222.

About Microsoft Business Solutions

Microsoft Business Solutions, a business group of Microsoft, offers a wide range of integrated, end-to-end business applications and services designed to help small, midmarket and corporate businesses become more connected with customers, employees, partners and suppliers. Microsoft Business Solutions’ applications optimize strategic business processes across financial management, analytics, human resources management, project management, customer relationship management, field service management, supply chain management, e-commerce, manufacturing and retail management. The applications are designed to provide insight to help customers achieve business success. More information about Microsoft Business Solutions can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/businesssolutions/.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq
“MSFT”
) is the worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing. The company offers a wide range of products and services designed to empower people through great software — any time, any place and on any device.

Microsoft and, Great Plains are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corp., Great Plains Software Inc. or Microsoft Business Solutions ApS or their affiliates in the United States and/or other countries.

Great Plains Software Inc. and Microsoft Business Solutions ApS are subsidiaries of Microsoft Corp.

The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

Note to editors: If you are interested in viewing additional information on Microsoft, please visit the Microsoft Web page at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/ on Microsoft’s corporate information pages. Web links, telephone numbers and titles were correct at time of publication, but may since have changed. For additional assistance, journalists and analysts may contact Microsoft’s Rapid Response Team or other appropriate contacts listed at http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/contactpr.asp.

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