Great Plains Software Releases Dynamics Release 2.0

Performance improvements, support for Btrieve 6.10c, NetWare SQL, and MAPI
added

Fargo, ND, May 2, 1994 -- Great Plains Software today announced a major
upgrade to Great Plains Dynamics, its graphical accounting software
solution introduced in February, 1993. Dynamics Release 2.0, which will
begin shipping in May, is a 32-bit application designed to operate in
high-performance, mission-critical environments. It features enhancements
in performance, technology, and functionality, including support for
industry-standard client and server hardware and operating systems. All of
the 13 Dynamics modules and tools currently available will be upgraded to
Dynamics Release 2.0.

"Many of the changes in Dynamics Release 2.0 were implemented in response
to customer feedback," said Doug Burgum, president and CEO. "We added
others to enable customers and prospective customers to take advantage of
the latest technologies that support increasingly powerful, increasingly
open business environments."

"We have been very pleased by the market acceptance of this product." he
continued. "In just 15 months, Dynamics has been installed in more than
800 companies. And our second-generation product will be available before
most of our competitors have released even a first-generation product that
is in any way comparable to the flexibility, functionality, and power of
Dynamics."

Performance

With Dynamics Release 2.0, significant improvements have been made in three
key areas--financial reporting, posting and installation. Overall
performance is, on average, 30 percent faster than Dynamics Release 1.
Certain process-intensive tasks, like financial reporting and posting,
could see greater increases in some circumstances. And, in response to
customer requests, installation time will be reduced by more than 80
percent--to less than 30 minutes.

Technology

Dynamics Release 2.0 continues to support the latest in emerging
technologies, including Dynamic Data Exchange (DDE), Microsoft's Messaging
Application Programming Interface (MAPI), and Novell's Btrieve NLM 6.1.0C.
MAPI support means that Dynamics customers can electronically mail their
accounting reports from within Dynamics to many e-mail applications.
Implementation of NetWare SQL provides SQL connectivity between Dynamics
Btrieve data and NetWare SQL-compliant industry-standard tools, such as
Borland Paradox, Microsoft Visual Basic and Microsoft Access.

Initially, Dynamics Release 2.0 will support Windows, Windows for
Workgroups, Windows NT and Macintosh as clients. This summer, it will
support the Power Macintosh as a native application that takes full
advantage of this hardware's high-performance RISC PowerPC chip
technology.

Network operating systems supported by Dynamics Release 2.0 include
NetWare, LAN Manager, AppleShare, AppleShare Pro, Windows for Workgroups,
Windows NT and Windows NT Advanced Server. Any configuration of clients
can be used on the same network, accessing the same database.

Functionality

The following features have been enhanced in Dynamics Release 2.0:

* General Ledger account numbers--In Release 2.0, the number of segments in
the 20-character account number has been increased from five to 10, which
allows production of more detailed financial reports;

* Accounting periods--Up to 54 fiscal periods per year are available; and,
up to two years may be open at one time, allowing detailed on-line access
to transaction information. Periods may also be closed selectively by
series. For example, an accounting period may be closed for all Sales
Series modules, including Receivables Management and Invoicing, and left
open for Financial Series modules such as General Ledger with Advanced
Financial Analysis;

* Batch control totals--Batch control totals for number of transactions and
total amount can be entered by batch and visually verified with the
calculated batch totals;

* Zoom capability--One of the most popular and innovative features in
Dynamics has been enhanced with the addition of numerous summary-to-detail
zooms. For example, in Receivables Management, users can drill down from a
summary balance field to a complete on-line history of the individual
transactions that comprise the balance;

* Check processing--This feature now has enhanced validation procedures and
the ability to void checks during check processing in the Payables
Management and Payroll applications;

* On-screen inquiry--Improved on-screen inquiry provides diverse ways to
access information directly. For example, in Receivables Management, users
can now perform inquiries by document number, as well as by customer
number;

Pricing and Availability

Prices for Dynamics Release 2.0 modules range from $1,000 to $2,000.
Dynamics Release 2.0 is available through more than 700 specially
authorized VARs and consultants.

Great Plains Software develops, markets and supports financial applications
software for the leading computing platforms. The company offers solutions
ranging from entry-level integrated accounting software to client/server
systems. More than 3,000 VARs, qualified installers and third-party
product developers sell, install and support Great Plains products
worldwide. Founded in 1981, Great Plains is privately owned with 600
employees.

Great Plains Software
1701 Southwest 38th St
Fargo, ND 58103
701-281-0550,  fax 701-281-6600

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