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SoftBrands has a vision for a global supply chain networking solution which will provide manufacturers with a tightly-woven all- encompassing framework for compliance with global data pools such as UCCnet.

SoftBrands will also provide cornerstone technology to meet the key supply chain requirements for the implementation of RFID technology.

As part of its vision, SoftBrands has entered into a strategic partnership with Internet Commerce Corporation (ICC), the pioneer in business-to-business connectivity through e-commerce. This alliance integrates ICC's Global Data Synchronization (GDS) solution with SoftBrands' leading enterprise resource planning (ERP) system Fourth Shift to simplify and speed GDS implementations for SoftBrands' customers.

To help streamline global data synchronization implementations for its customers, SoftBrands will modify its data repository in Fourth Shift to maintain the full complement of data synchronization data attributes, provide the necessary workflow to manage item status and utilize the ICC.NET network service, which has received Drummond approval and UCC-compliance for UCCnet services, for its XML processing and AS2 connectivity capabilities. The ICC and SoftBrands solution will seamlessly transmit item data reliably, securely and efficiently from Fourth Shift to trading partners via UCCnet.

Certified as a 2.2.1 UCCnet solution partner, ICC provides an array of offerings to help meet the requirements for data synchronization. As a UCCnet Solution Partner, ICC has met a rigorous certification process to ensure standards-compliance, technical expertise, solution requirements, and implementation tasks in accordance with UCCnet standards. The ICC partnership presents SoftBrands' manufacturing customers with the ability to gain an out- of-the-box interface to exchange information with complete compliance to UCCnet standards.

"ICC is the first of several key strategic partners who will comprise a complete and certified data synchronization ecosystem that integrates with the Fourth Shift 21st century manufacturing solution," said Dick Schultz, vice president of manufacturing product management at SoftBrands. "This partnership with ICC is a vital component of our strategy to continue to develop even deeper relationships with our manufacturing customers by responding to their requirement for an end-to-end data synchronization solution. Together, our Fourth Shift enterprise platform and ICC deliver compelling value, helping manufacturers comply with UCCnet standards and exchange product information with customers efficiently and cost-effectively."

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