@UK joins forces with Sage

8 May 2006 07:02

@UK PLC08 May 2006 For immediate release 8 May 2006 @UK PLC @UK joins forces with Sage to launch innovative new offering for Start-ups @UK PLC, (AIM:ATUK.L) a leading provider of software solutions that facilitate eCommerce and eProcurement, has teamed-up with Sage (UK) Limited and will act as a reseller for the innovative, new 'Sage Start-Up' service which has been developed to help people plan, start and run their business. Sage Start-Up is a subscription based service and comprises three integratedelements: access to online business management resources such as businessplanning tools, industry information and marketing guidance; cash, transactionand time management software which enables collaboration between the Start-Upand a Sage accountant and unlimited web, telephone and email software support.The service is intuitive and simple to use and the software element does notrequire the user to have any accountancy experience, allowing them to assesstheir all important cash position, quickly and easily and then concentrate onbuilding their business rather than worrying about its administrative elements. The comprehensive and complementary business start up services provided by @UK - including company incorporation, trading websites, domains, corporate branding and stationery - have now been enhanced by the inclusion of Sage's innovative and comprehensive start-up solution. This addition enables @UK to offer a complete one-stop shop business start up service to its customers and prospects. @UK will market the complete solution to its existing base of 70,000 customers who have already purchased all or part of the @UK product range, and to all of the 300,000+ new companies formed annually in the UK. Lyn Duncan, Managing Director of @UK, commenting on the marketing agreement said: "We are delighted to be working closely with Sage to bring this powerful,combined offering to our customer base. Over the past 3 years we have beenasking our customers what they want after they have incorporated their company.The Sage Start Up service offering meets two of their key, immediate needs -practical help with business planning and the ability to get control of theirbusiness from day one." Kevin Hart, Strategic Relationship Manager, Sage (UK) Limited, adds: "As a leading provider of business management software and services to smallbusinesses, we understand what they need to help them plan, start and grow theirbusiness and our brand new 'Sage Start-up' service plays a major role in thosecrucial stages. Working with @UK is a great example of our partner programmewhere we have complementary offerings - as in this case, providing a compellingand excellent value for money opportunity for start-ups and the prospectivereach of @UK's programme is very exciting." For further information please contact: @UK PLC +44 (0) 118 963 7000Lyn Duncan Managing Director Sage (UK) Limited +44 (0) 191 294 3036Ralph Charlton - PR Manager Shore Capital +44 (0) 151 600 3700Mike SawbridgeSmithfield Consultants +44 (0) 20 7360 4900Sara Musgrave/Tania Wild Notes to Editors:eCommerce can be defined as the buying and selling of products and services overthe internet. eProcurement is the particular process by which largeorganisations carry out their purchasing using eCommerce. @UK offers a uniquesolution within the field of eCommerce/eProcurement. Using its online network,public sector bodies such as local authorities, schools and hospitals andprivate sector enterprises can buy online from small to medium enterprises(SMEs), as well as larger suppliers. At the same time those suppliers generallyset up a trading website on @UK which can be used to sell online to otherbusinesses and even consumers worldwide. @UK is currently focused strongly onselling this approach to buyers throughout the public sector since this sectoroffers specific opportunities as a result of the UK Government's statedrequirements for eProcurement. Currently, there are over 1,000 public sector bodies spending over £100 billionannually on goods and services with around one million suppliers. These publicsector bodies have now been given specific performance targets in connectionwith eProcurement, and substantial sums have been invested by the Government ineCommerce platforms in both central and local Government. These projects form a core part of the 'Gershon' efficiency drive to save thepublic purse more than £20 billion annually by 2007/08. This drive followed thepublication in July 2004 of Sir Peter Gershon's report, 'Releasing resources tothe front line: Independent Review of Public Sector Efficiency'. In addition,the Government encourages public sector bodies to engage with local companiesand stimulate their adoption of eCommerce. The Directors believe that @UK is ideally positioned to experience significantgrowth as these public sector bodies put in place the necessary online linkswith their suppliers. @UK listed on AIM in December 2005, raising £8 million before expenses at anissue price of 60p. @UK is included in the Software and Computer Services Sector(9530). For further information please visit www.ukplc.net. About Sage Start-up Sage START-UP costs £149 (inc Vat) for the first year subscription and £99 peryear after this. This price includes automatic upgrades and full support. About Sage UKSage (UK) Ltd is a subsidiary of The Sage Group plc, which is a leadinginternational supplier of business management software solutions. Formed in1981, the Group was floated on the stock exchange in 1989 and now employs over10,000 people worldwide. Further press information is available at http://www.sagepresscentre.co.uk or at http://www.sage.co.uk This information is provided by RNS The company news service from the London Stock Exchange