MINNEAPOLIS — SoftBrands Inc., a global leader in enterprise software for manufacturers and ISV partner of SAP America, Inc., has formed a partnership with Coastal Range Systems, a Canadian reseller of business IT solutions, to sell SoftBrands’ Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One to Canadian manufacturers.

Coastal Range Systems, which has 50 employees and four offices across Canada, was named the 2005 SAP Business One Partner of the Year in Canada. Most of Coastal Range’s customers are growing significantly, and the firm’s consultants strive to foster that growth.

“Our goal is to partner with strong brands to provide powerful software our customers can use to achieve their business objectives,” said Stephen Loyd, president and CEO of Coastal Range Systems. “We look to provide enterprise resource planning systems that are flexible, reliable and powerful. Fourth Shift Edition for SAP Business One is a natural fit for us and for the market we serve.”

With this further expansion into the Canadian market, SoftBrands continues to build its global network of partners that make up a powerful distribution channel for Fourth Shift Edition. Fourth Shift Edition is the result of a partnership between SAP and SoftBrands that combines the strength and security of SAP with the mid-market manufacturing expertise of SoftBrands in a flexible, affordable package.

“Our partners are a critical part of our strategy for Fourth Shift Edition,” said Ralf Suerken, senior vice president and general manager of manufacturing for SoftBrands. “Coastal Range is a leader in Canada for business management solutions for small and midsize firms and has demonstrated high customer satisfaction across the country. Our relationship with Coastal Range will help us reach further into the market of small and midsize manufacturers.”