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EXHIBIT 99(a)
For more information, contact:
Betsy Bender, Frontstep
614-523-7344
[email protected]
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SYMIX BECOMES FRONTSTEP
- SHAREHOLDERS APPROVE NAME CHANGE AT ANNUAL MEETING-
COLUMBUS, OHIO, Nov. 8, 2000 - Symix Systems, Inc. (Nasdaq: SYMX), a
leading provider of business systems for midsized manufacturers and
distributors, announced that a proposal to change its name to Frontstep, Inc.
won overwhelming support from shareholders at the company's annual meeting held
today.
The company will immediately begin operating as Frontstep. Pending the
completion of required filings with regulatory agencies and Nasdaq in the next
few days, the company's common stock will be traded under the symbol "FSTP." The
existing Symix sales and services organization will continue to serve as the
company's direct channel to manufacturers and will operate as a subsidiary of
Frontstep.
The name change reflects the company's transformation to fully leverage
the Internet in the systems it provides to manufacturers, distributors and
trading exchanges - as well as the new channels, delivery methods and pricing
options the company is using to accelerate adoption of the Frontstep E-business
Suite. This transformation is the most dramatic change in the more than 20-year
history of the company, warranting the name change.
"We have an exciting opportunity to advance the competitive position of
our customers by providing practical and pragmatic solutions that allow them to
buy, sell and collaborate over the Internet," said Stephen A. Sasser, president
and chief executive officer of Frontstep. "In today's connected world, companies
must have a strong outside game to be able to operate at Internet speed with
their customers, suppliers, distributors and trading partners. Our comprehensive
suite of e-business solutions, combined with our experience in the midmarket,
uniquely qualifies Frontstep to turn the promise of the Internet into a reality
for midsized
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companies. We have reshaped the company around the e-business imperative, as
reflected by the products, services, partnerships and customer successes we've
built over the last year."
ABOUT FRONTSTEP
Frontstep, Inc. provides companies with the products, expertise and
access to online communities to rapidly plan, build, launch and advance an
e-business strategy. Frontstep offers a complete suite of software and services,
including CRM, online customer sales and service, Web-driven channel management,
supply chain management, e-procurement, collaboration and integration. The
company's Symix subsidiary provides manufacturers with complete business systems
encompassing both e-business and enterprise management, while the company's
brightwhite subsidiary delivers strategic e-business consulting services. For
more information on Frontstep, visit http://www.frontstep.com.
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This news release may contain forward-looking statements related to anticipated
business and financial performance. Achieving anticipated results could take
longer than expected and market factors could change anticipated results. Actual
results could differ materially from results anticipated in the forward-looking
statements. In addition, forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the demand for and market
acceptance of the company's products and services, the impact of competitive
products, increased sales and earnings, and the completion of other factors
detailed in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission,
including its report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2000.
Symix is a trademark of Symix Systems, Inc. or its affiliates. Frontstep is a
trademark of Frontstep, Inc. brightwhite is a trademark of brightwhite
solutions, inc. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property
of their respective owners.
