Comprehensive Software Systems (CSS) announced today that it has signed a service bureau alliance agreement with Sector Inc., a leading communications, managed services, data network and data distribution provider for the financial services industry. The agreement allows Sector to create a service bureau and host CSS' software application package, SABIL 2.1, the first real-time, front-to-back office financial package available to the brokerage industry on a Microsoft NT and data-center platform.

This alliance with Sector provides brokerage firms with the access, hardware and professional services required to execute and utilize the SABIL suite of products without purchasing servers or hiring personnel to maintain the hardware and software. When fully implemented, SABIL 2.1 provides significant benefits including reduced risk, lower operating costs and shortened processing cycles.

"This new alliance with Sector will provide CSS clients a highly-reliable and cost-effective way to deploy and manage our SABIL set of products with a recognized industry veteran," said Chris M. Poelma, president and CEO, Comprehensive Software Systems. "We are providing greater choice to our clients with reliable results whether clients support SABIL in-house or now, via a service bureau."

Sector clients can access SABIL over a dedicated circuit, frame relay, extranet or Sector's proprietary IP network. Sector provides support for the application, allowing clients to focus on their other mission-critical operations. CSS and Sector will also provide brokerage firms with a dedicated professional services team -- available 24-hours a day, seven days a week -- that has extensive experience implementing SABIL on client systems.

"Sector continues to expand its service offerings to address our clients' needs -- in particular, their need for solutions that will help them prepare for T+1 related activities," said Patrick D. Lynch, president and CEO of Sector, Inc. "Signing this contract with CSS gives Sector the ability to market the SABIL application as a service bureau to the financial services industry. Offering hosting and support services for SABIL will provide clients with access to a powerful tool from the managed services provider they have come to rely upon for unmatched reliability, secure infrastructure and unsurpassed client services."