SSAG Ssa Global Technologies (MM)

SSA ERP(LX)(TM) helps global manufacturer of packaging solutions meet customer demands and consolidating market pressures CHICAGO, July 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SSA Global (NASDAQ:SSAG), a leading global provider of enterprise business software and services, today announced that global packaging manufacturer Elopak has implemented SSA ERP(LX)(TM), the next generation Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platform from SSA Global. The solution will help Elopak address increasing customer demands for agility and strengthen the company's position in a rapidly consolidating market. (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051213/CGTU005LOGO ) Elopak selected SSA Global over competitive solutions because SSA ERP(LX) offered lower total cost of ownership combined with excellent product functionality. Migration to SSA ERP(LX) began in Germany, the company's leading site for global manufacturing. Elopak plans to roll out the solution to the rest of its European operations within a year. "During the past 15 to 20 years, we have experienced a significant amount of consolidation in the market," says Bjorn Henrik Moshuus, corporate IT director, Elopak. "In the UK alone, competition has increased fiercely as the number of players has decreased from thousands to single digit numbers. Not only do we need to keep ahead of the competition, but we are also receiving demands from our clients to be more flexible and responsive. It's a matter of lead time in this business and SSA ERP(LX) gives us that edge." During the pilot phase of the project, SSA ERP(LX) transformed the order management process within Elopak, integrating previously disparate systems across business units into a centralized, standardized system. This increased business visibility and decreased response time to clients improved both business efficiency and customer satisfaction. The Elopak implementation is indicative of the SSA Global(TM) success in converging and modernizing the ERP platforms within its portfolio. SSA ERP(LX) has been built and optimized for the IBM(R) System i and leverages IBM WebSphere(R) for integration and the adoption of service-oriented architectures. "The implementation of SSA ERP(LX) has begun to produce efficiency gains and cost savings for Elopak, even in the pilot phase," explains Moshuus. "As a global business, it's important that our customers perceive us as a single entity and the solution is helping us to achieve this. We regard SSA ERP(LX) as the backbone of our business -- about two thirds of our company is reliant on the system." "It is essential for manufacturers today to be flexible and responsive to changing market demands," says Graeme Cooksley, executive vice president, SSA Global. "Following a successful trial period as part of our Early Adopter Program, SSA ERP(LX) has proven its ability to support Elopak's business in the consolidation across Europe. The solution has been designed to provide a high value upgrade path for customers, and users such as Elopak will continue to reap the benefits in months to come." About Elopak Elopak is one of the world's leading suppliers of packaging systems for liquid food products and develops, manufactures, sells and services complete systems for packaging of non-carbonated liquid food products. In 2005, the company, employing 2,500 staff, had a turnover of NOK 4,8 billion (=ca. euro 604 Mio). Elopak is well known as supplier of gable top cartons through its Pure-Pak(R) system. As a full systems supplier with organizations and associates in more than 40 countries and customers in over 100 the Elopak Group seeks to bring its international expertise and product technology to new markets and applications. About SSA Global SSA Global (NASDAQ:SSAG) is a leading provider of enterprise business software for mid-sized and large organizations, primarily in select manufacturing, consumer and services industries. The company's software solutions include enterprise resource planning, financial management, human capital management, corporate performance management, customer relationship management, product lifecycle management, supply chain management and supplier relationship management. Headquartered in Chicago, SSA Global has over 50 locations worldwide and its product offerings are used by customers in over 90 countries. For additional information, visit the SSA Global web site at http://www.ssaglobal.com/ . SSA Global is the trade name and corporate brand for SSA Global Technologies, Inc., its subsidiaries and affiliates, and their products, services and offerings. SSA, SSA Global, SSA Global Technologies, forward faster, and other SSA Global products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are either registered trademarks or trademarks of SSA Global in the United States and/or other countries. All other product and service names mentioned in this publication may be registered, trademarked or service marked by their respective owners. Forward-Looking Statements These materials may contain "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words "believe," "anticipate," "expect," "estimate," "intend," "project," "plan," "will be," "will likely continue," " will likely result," or words or phrases with similar meaning. All of these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by our management that, although we believe to be reasonable, are inherently uncertain. Forward- looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, economic, competitive, governmental and technological factors outside of our control that may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. We operate in a changing environment in which new risks can emerge from time to time. It is not possible for management to predict all of these risks, nor can it assess the extent to which any factor, or a combination of factors, may cause our business, strategy or actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements. Factors you should consider that could cause these differences include, among other things: -- General economic and business conditions, including exchange rate fluctuations in the United States and abroad; -- Our ability to identify acquisition opportunities and effectively and cost-efficiently integrate acquisitions; -- Our ability to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting; -- Our ability to attract and retain personnel, including key personnel; -- Our success in developing and introducing new services and products; -- Competition in the software industry, as it relates to both our existing and potential new customers. http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20051213/CGTU005LOGO http://photoarchive.ap.org/ DATASOURCE: SSA Global CONTACT: Maria Diecidue of SSA Global, +1-312-258-6000, ; or Andrew Robertson of Edelman, +44 (0) 207 344 1200, ; or Investors, Dawn Drella of SSA Global, +1-312-474-7694, Web site: http://www.ssaglobal.com/

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