CARLISLE, Mass., Aug. 26, 2002 --Ballantine & Company, Inc., recognized specialists in project management desktop software, today released QuickGantt(R) 4.0, the much anticipated upgrade of its popular project management software that is considered the best alternative to complex and expensive project software.

QuickGantt(R) is designed for architects, engineers, contractors, consultants, managers and other professionals who need to easily and quickly plan and budget projects or estimate and schedule client work and proposals. QuickGantt(R) uses a familiar worksheet where all project information, dates and costs are entered. A presentation-quality Gantt chart schedule is automatically plotted from this data with the click of a button, and users can easily customize their Gantt chart or time and cost project reports.

"When developing QuickGantt(R) 4.0, we balanced the need for our customers to have greater flexibility to customize their project management worksheets, reports and Gantt charts with our desire to keep the software familiar and very easy to use," said Ann Ballantine, President and CEO of Ballantine & Company. "The features we have added to QuickGantt(R) 4.0 are based on customer requests. We believe, QuickGantt(R) 4.0 continues to be the best choice for busy professionals looking for a simple, economical and feature-rich project management software backed by personalized customer service."

QuickGantt(R) 4.0 offers project managers even more flexibility to customize the project worksheet that is used to plan and manage projects.

-- Users can add up to four user-defined text, date, currency or number columns.

-- The worksheet columns can be rearranged to reflect the user's project logic.

-- A freeze frame feature splits a large worksheet into two sections that scroll independently.

-- A new "markup" column makes it easier to create more accurate estimates, and a "percent complete" has been added to track project progress.

-- Commonly used activities or cost items and pricing can be added to a drop down selection list that is available to any project. This saves users time and improves the accuracy of the worksheet by eliminating the need to manually re-enter frequently used activities or items and pricing.

-- QuickGantt 4.0 data can be imported from and exported to spreadsheets, Microsoft Access databases, or text files. Microsoft Project 2000 databases can be opened in QuickGantt 4.0 and QuckGantt4.0 projects can be saved as Microsoft Project 2000 databases.

A New Full Featured Report Writer

-- An integrated full-featured word processor offers project managers extensive formatting capabilities to quickly and easily enhance their project reports.

-- Any worksheet column can be selected in any order for custom reports.

-- The improved master schedule, lets the user select projects to include and creates an updated master schedule with a single button click.

Gantt Chart Enhancements

-- Users can now plot their projects in hours as well as days, weeks, quarters.

-- Percent complete can be plotted.

-- Up to four columns of data, including custom columns can be selected to display on the Gantt chart.

-- Click on the edit button and the Gantt chart opens the users default graphics program ready to edit. Users can save their Gantt Charts in the various formats supported by their default graphics program such as gif and jpeg.

Workgroup Multi-user Option

A multi-user version of QuickGantt(R) 4.0 is available, which allows workgroups to more easily share project files. This makes accurate project information such as worksheets, time, cost and plan comparison reports, as well as Gantt charts available to everyone in a workgroup, and eliminates the problem of duplicate files and version control.

QuickGantt(R) 4.0 Pricing and Support

The intuitive notebook format, context-sensitive help and customer support provided for QuickGantt(R) 4.0 get most users up and running in less than 30 minutes. QuickGantt(R) 4.0 comes with a library of project worksheet templates that illustrate the many ways the software can be used. Unlimited, toll-free technical support is available online or by phone. QuickGantt(R) 4.0 also comes with a 30-day money back satisfaction guarantee. A free trial is available for download from the company's web site www.tools-for-business.com. QuickGantt is comes in three different versions to suit to range of project software needs from the most basic to the more advanced.

-- Single user BASIC- $99.95

-- Single user STANDARD-$199.00

-- Single user PLUS- $249.00

-- Multi-user SERVER $100.00 QuickGantt customers save 40% when they upgrade. Volume and educational discounts are available.

About Ballantine

Ballantine and Company, Inc. develops project-oriented desktop software. The company also develops and markets the QuickAssist(R), the only contact management and communications designed for project managers.

Ballantine's Tools-for-Business.com(R) web site offers visitors professional products and business information designed to help project-oriented professionals work faster and better.

To order QuickAssist or QuickGantt, call 800-536-6677 or visit www.Tools-for-Business.com. QuickAssist, QuickGantt and Tools-for-Business.com are registered trademarks and/or trademarks of Ballantine and Company, Inc. Other marks are the property of their respective owners.

CONTACT: PR for Ballantine & Company, Inc.
Christine Williams, 978/362-1950
ballantine@harlandwebs.com