JDA User Community Elects Product Representatives at FOCUS Conference;

JDA User Community Elects Product Representatives at FOCUS Conference; Partnerships with Customers, Microsoft Address Real-World Requirements

    Business Editors/Technology Editors

    SCOTTSDALE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 10, 2005--JDA(R) Software Group Inc. (Nasdaq:JDAS) announced that the JDA User Community has elected 16 representatives from within the JDA customer base to provide collective input that will support the development and enhancement of new and existing JDA Portfolio(R) products. Referred to as Special Interest Groups ("SIGs"), active users have long provided a vital link between JDA's maintenance customers and JDA's Product Management Group. Through ongoing communication and scheduled meetings throughout the year, SIGs help to ensure that JDA's functional, technical, performance and integration plans are in line with its customers' most pressing requirements and market demands.
    "JDA is committed to offering solutions that make a difference in this very competitive world by developing products not only for our customers, but also in partnership with our customers," commented Peter Charness, JDA senior vice president global marketing and chief product officer. "In fact, since our last annual conference in April 2004, we made nearly 80 percent of our new product functions and enhancements as a result of customer or market requests, with nearly 50 percent of those requests coming directly through our SIGs. Thanks to our active user community, we can remain in synch with our customers' world and gain fresh ideas on how to better innovate, serve and support our entire customer base."
    JDA customer and FOCUS attendee Ed Wong, senior vice president of supply chain and systems for Charlotte-Russe Holding Inc., also took note of the SIGs dedication. "It was excellent to see how the SIGs carry a voice into the product management area at JDA. I believe that's quite unique within the retail software industry," remarked Wong.

    SIGs Play Active, Important Role Beyond FOCUS Conference

    During the FOCUS 2005 conference on April 17-20, SIG representatives led nearly 50 sessions to discuss and vote upon the direction of JDA's products as well as to share their experiences implementing and using Portfolio(TM) products. JDA User Group president Karen Montgomery acknowledged the tremendous contributions of the outgoing SIG chairpersons and welcomed the new representatives who will serve for the 2005-2007 term.
    "I commend all the SIG chairpersons for their dedication and achievements in helping drive new product enhancements and increasing overall communication with JDA," stated Montgomery. "Additionally, the efforts of JDA's product management, support, sales and marketing teams have resulted in more consistent user communication, formalized product enhancement request processes and increased participation among users. I look forward to working throughout this year and 2006 to refine and introduce programs that will further increase communication and participation to help JDA users gain maximum value and benefit from their investment."

    Newly Elected Special Interest Group Chairs for 2005-2007

    To be nominated for an SIG chair, each JDA maintenance customer must be using the JDA product that they are representing for at least one year and have the support of their company's management team. The following customers include a combination of new and re-elected representatives:
    Portfolio Merchandise Operations(TM) and Store Systems(TM) Special Interest Group Chairs

--	The Estee Lauder Cos. Inc.'s Sue Bickel
--	Jockey International Inc.'s Tommy Murray
--	NBC Universal Inc.'s Karen Wilson
--	Target Australia's Bruce Arthur
--	Follett Higher Education Group's Terry Bouvier

    Portfolio Strategic Merchandise Management(TM) Special Interest Group Chairs

    Portfolio Planning and Forecasting(TM) applications

    -- Anheuser-Busch Inc.'s Karen Null

    -- Bath & Body Works' Justin Dickerson

    -- Clorox Services Co.'s Eric Liberatore

    -- DSW Inc.'s Lorri Jackson

    -- Kohl's Corp.'s Jeff Rick

    -- Kraft Canada's Jonathon Foster

    -- Limited Brands Inc.'s Brian Gaunt

    -- Swedish Match North America's Becky Stofko

    Portfolio Allocation & Replenishment(TM) applications

    -- Charming Shoppes Inc.'s Lisa Woolston

    -- Henry Schein Inc.'s Len Dano

    -- Lane Bryant Inc.'s Melissa Ansley

    -- Zale Corp.'s Shari Williams

    JDA Alliance with Microsoft Addresses Technology, Usability Requirements

    In addition to working closely with its customers, JDA also partners with the most influential technology leaders to ensure Portfolio products' performance, scale, agility and lowest cost of ownership. Serving as a FOCUS diamond sponsor for the third consecutive year, Microsoft provides JDA with technical, development and marketing support in the adoption of the new Microsoft .NET-based PortfolioEnabled(TM) products worldwide. To update the JDA User Community on its commitment to the Microsoft Smarter Retailing initiative and expanded alliance with JDA, Michel H. Annink, Microsoft's managing director, worldwide retail industry unit, enterprise customer & partner group, spoke during a FOCUS Super Session and at JDA Analyst and Investor Day, which was held concurrent to FOCUS.
    "It was great to see the enthusiasm and interest from attendees around JDA's .NET-based solutions which are a very important offering within our Smarter Retailing initiative," said Annink. "Through our joint commitment and the valuable feedback loop of JDA's Special Interest Groups, we look forward to helping retailers and their suppliers further improve how they sell and operate today and in the future."
    Intel also served as a FOCUS diamond sponsor and the Internet cafe sponsor. Many other companies played a key role at FOCUS including platinum sponsors Symbol Technologies, and platinum co-sponsors IBM and Avnet; Gold sponsors Manhattan Associates and Hewlett-Packard, and gold co-sponsors Wincor-Nixdorf and Spencer Technologies; silver sponsors Accu-Time Systems Inc., Connections Canada, DENSO and ISD Corp.; as well as media sponsors RIS News and Consumer Goods Technology. The following companies served as exhibitors: AccessVia, AJB Software Design Inc., Ascential, AuBeta Networks, Epson America Inc., Hypercom Corp., Intermec Technologies Corp., Oliver Wight, UCCnet Data Pool Services, a subsidiary of the Uniform Code Council Inc. (UCC), and UPS.
    For additional information about the FOCUS 2005 conference, future JDA events or how to contact an SIG representative, visit JDA at www.jda.com, e-mail info@jda.com or call 800-479-7382.

    About JDA Software Group Inc.

    With more than 4,700 retail, manufacturing and wholesale customers in 60 countries, JDA Software Group Inc. is a global leader in delivering integrated software and professional services for the retail demand chain. By capitalizing on its market position and financial strength, JDA commits significant resources to advancing JDA Portfolio, its suite of merchandising, POS, analytic and collaborative solutions that improve revenues, efficiency and customer focus. Founded in 1985, JDA is headquartered in Scottsdale, Ariz., and employs more than 1,100 associates operating from 26 offices in major cities throughout North America, South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.

    We do not believe this press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Nevertheless, if remarks in this press release are considered to be "forward-looking" or to have forward-looking implications (such as Annick's statements and other remarks concerning future improvements to our products), we would remind our investors and prospective investors that future events may involve risks and uncertainties. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our business are detailed from time to time in the "Risks Factors" section of our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. As a result of these and other risks, actual results may differ materially from those predicted. We undertake no obligation to update information in this release.

    JDA, JDA Portfolio, PortfolioEnabled, Portfolio Merchandise Operations, Portfolio Store Operations, Portfolio Strategic Merchandise Management, Portfolio Planning and Forecasting, and Portfolio Allocation and Replenishment are trademarks or registered trademarks of JDA Software Group Inc. UCC is a registered trademark of Uniform Code Council Inc. All other trade, product, or service names referenced in this release may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.

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CONTACT: The Berlin Group (JDA Investor Relations) Lawrence Delaney Jr., 714-734-5000 larry@berlingroup.com or JDA Software Group Inc., Scottsdale Maureen Tuskai, 480-308-3233 (Public Relations) mtuskai@jda.com

KEYWORD: ARIZONA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: SOFTWARE SOURCE: JDA Software Group Inc.

Copyright Business Wire 2005