FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Honoring the Outstanding Products that Help Small Businesses Grow and Thrive

SAN JOSE, Calif., Oct. 17, 2005 - Small Business Technology Magazine (SBTM) today announced that entries are now being accepted for its inaugural 2005 Product of the Year Awards, a salute to the innovative technologies that are boosting the productivity and profitability of America’s small enterprises. The award program, open to technology manufacturers and developers serving small businesses in the U.S., is the latest service from the Small Business Technology Institute, a non-profit organization dedicated to helping small businesses understand and adopt information technology through its publishing, consulting, training and market intelligence practices. Winners will be unveiled in a special year-end issue and holiday buyer’s guide. Nominations will be accepted online through November 15, 2005 at http://www.sbtechnologymagazine.org.

“By driving new ideas, taking risks and seizing opportunities, small businesses serve as an inspiration for pursuing the American dream and advancing our way of life,” said Andrea Peiro, CEO of the Small Business Technology Institute and publisher of Small Business Technology Magazine. “These awards celebrate the technologies that are fueling this entrepreneurial spirit.”

Nominations will be judged by a panel of advisors comprised of analysts, instructors and technology strategists from the Small Business Technology Institute and SBTI Labs, plus direct feedback from small business owners, Small Business Technology Magazine readers and other industry experts. Products will be evaluated based on criteria such as: overall fit; functionality and ease of use; quality and breadth of support; potential impact on the bottom line; and innovation. The top products will be featured in SBTI Labs, a new demo environment that showcases real-world small business scenarios at SBTI events and training seminars nationwide. All nominated products will be featured in the buyer’s guide.

“Small Business Technology Magazine is dedicated to demystifying technology and pinpointing practical solutions that improve small business results,” said Joanna Rustin, managing editor, Small Business Technology Magazine. “The product awards program and buyer’s guide takes our publishing efforts in an exciting new direction by helping readers identify the products and services that are tailored to address their unique business requirements.”

Learn more about sponsorship and buyer’s guide opportunities at http://www.sbtechnologymagazine.org/awards/2005.

About Small Business Technology Magazine
Launched in 2001, Small Business Technology Magazine delivers educational insights, practical tips and sound advice to help small businesses harness the benefits of technology. Published by the Small Business Technology Institute, Small Business Technology Magazine delivers technology topics of critical importance to entrepreneurs, small business owners and managers in companies with 1 to 300 employees. This outstanding educational resource is made possible through the generous support of market-leading underwriting sponsors. Learn how to support, contribute or subscribe by visiting http://www.sbtechnologymagazine.org.

About the Small Business Technology Institute
The Small Business Technology Institute (SBTI) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that fosters the adoption of information technologies among small businesses through information technology awareness, education, counseling and support services for businesses with up to 300 employees. Additionally, SBTI provides technology developers and vendors with market intelligence and knowledge to ensure the development of products that meet the needs of small businesses. SBTI is proud to present The World of Difference Learning Conferences in San Francisco (Oct. 25-26, 2005), Chicago (Nov. 8-9, 2005) and New York City (Jan. 26-27, 2006) plus other unique programs such as SheBusiness, Small Business Technology BootCamps and TechExchange. For more information, visit http://www.sbtechnologyinstitute.org.

# # #