<PAGE>
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
_____________________
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
_____________________
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): September 14, 1999
System Software Associates, Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Delaware 0-15322 36-3144515
(State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File Number) (IRS Employer
of Incorporation) Identification No.)
500 West Madison Street, Chicago, IL 60661
(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)
(312) 258-6000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
N/A
---------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>
Item 5. Other Events.
On September 14, 1999, System Software Associates, Inc. (the "Company")
announced that its Board of Directors had named Robert R. Carpenter as Chief
Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board to replace the former Chief
Executive Officer, William M. Stuek, who has retired. The Company issued the
Press Release attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by
reference on September 14, 1999.
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial Statements
Not Applicable
(b) Pro Forma Financial Information
Not Applicable
(c) Exhibits
99.1. Press Release dated September 14, 1999
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
System Software Associates, Inc.
By: /s/ Kirk J. Isaacson
--------------------
Kirk J. Isaacson
Secretary
Dated: September 17, 1999
2
<PAGE>
Exhibit 99.1
ROBERT R. CARPENTER NAMED CHAIRMAN
AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
OF SYSTEM SOFTWARE ASSOCIATES, INC.
Chicago -- (BUSINESS WIRE) -- September 14, 1999 - System Software Associates,
Inc. (NASDAQ: SSAXD), today announced that its Board of Directors has named
Robert R. Carpenter, a highly-experienced executive in the technology services
sector, as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Directors. In
naming Mr. Carpenter, the Board has completed an extensive search process for
the retiring Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. William M. Stuek. Mr.
Stuek commented that "Bob Carpenter is an outstanding choice to lead the
continued transition of the Company and its drive to profitability."
System Software stated, "Bob Carpenter brings to System Software Associates
a record of success in refocusing and re-energizing technology companies. Among
his accomplishments, he led the turnaround of NCR's $3.0 billion global services
businesses from 1994-96, and has been an important executive in customer
oriented operations at Square D, AT&T Network Systems (Lucent) and Origin B.V.
(Philips). We look forward to benefiting from Bob's leadership and energy as we
move SSA forward."
Mr. Carpenter said, "System Software Associates is an exciting opportunity
and I am very pleased to be coming aboard. SSA has sound customer relationships,
very talented people and significant growth potential. Our focus at SSA will be
to profitably build on the strengths and core assets of the company: our
customers, our people and our products and services."
Mr. Carpenter had served until 1998 as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Origin Americas, a subsidiary of Philips B.V., where he grew that
company's IT services and outsourcing revenues by 32% and engineered a profit
turnaround. Prior to joining Origin, he was with AT&T Corporation, where from
1994 through 1996 he had worldwide responsibility for NCR's $3 billion services
business. From 1988 to 1992 he was Corporate Vice President of Square D Company
with specific responsibilities for customer service, information systems and the
technical services business unit. Mr. Carpenter began his professional career
with the Boston Consulting Group's Chicago office.
About SSA
System Software Associates is a worldwide ERP software and services
provider with fiscal year 1998 revenue of $421 million. Its principal product,
eBPCS Client/Server Version 6.0 is primarily sold to the industrial sector
including: automotive, chemicals, consumer goods, electronics, general
manufacturing, food and beverage, forest products and pharmaceuticals.
________________
Contact:
System Software Associates
Joseph J. Skadra, 312/258-6000
Facsimile: 312/474-7500
or
Mary E. Bergstrom, 312/258-6000
Facsimile: 312/474-7500
