Advance Business Systems

As an integral part of the Baltimore community, Advance is always up to something. Here you'll find the latest information on new products, recent industry awards, and our involvement with some of Maryland's most important philanthropic and charitable organizations, including the Baltimore Symphony, the Baltimore Opera Company, the Baltimore Orioles, the House of Ruth, the Maryland Food Bank, Maryland Public Television, the Pride of Baltimore, United Cerebral Palsy, the Ronald McDonald House, the Child Abuse Center of Baltimore, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, the American Heart Association, the Grant-A-Wish Foundation, the American Cancer Society, and the Kennedy Krieger Institute.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS PARTNERS WITH CANON TO BECOME BALTIMORE'S LEADING INDEPENDENT CANON DEALER
Advance Now Represents the World's Top Two Office Equipment Brands, Canon and Savin

Cockeysville, Maryland (March 25, 2008)

Advance Business Systems today announced that it has partnered with Canon to become Baltimore's leading independent dealer of Canon multifunctional copiers, printers and color wide format products.

"As the area's leading independent dealership, it was a logical step to join forces with the world's leading brand," says Advance Business Systems' Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Elkin.

The addition couldn't come at a better time for Advance following last year's announcement that Global Imaging was acquired by Xerox Corporation. Global, the former leading reseller of Canon in Baltimore, announced that with the acquisition it would begin transitioning all of its customers to Xerox equipment-a move that may not be so well received by Canon loyalists.

"Canon has long been known for its brand loyalty in the marketplace and for superior color technology. By having Canon in our product mix we are now able to provide our customers with expanded product breadth, including color wide format printing," says Elkin.

With a recent expansion into Montgomery County, Advance is looking forward to the opportunity to serve a large Canon customer base that can no longer acquire Canon products through Global Imaging.

The partnership not only makes Advance the only major independent reseller of Canon in the Baltimore marketplace, but also the representative of the world's top two office equipment brands, Canon and Savin.

"It's exciting to finally be on the same team with such an established and reputable document solutions provider as Advance Business Systems," says Canon Technical Sales Executive Peter Billets, "Their commitment to customer service is a perfect match with our leading-edge technology."

In preparation for the new Canon line, Advance service technicians have completed product training at Canon's regional headquarters in Jamesburg, NJ. As a result, Advance's Cockeysville headquarters is now an authorized Canon Training Center for current and future products.

Marking its 44th year, Advance Business Systems has grown to become the region's largest independent document management company, providing custom solutions for networked digital color and black and white copiers, printers, wide format plotters, electronic document workflow, fax solutions and paper shredders.

With annual revenue exceeding $37 million, Advance continues to receive national recognition for their commitment to providing outstanding service, as well as sales awards, from the existing manufacturers they represent.

In addition to now selling Canon products, Advance is the largest independent Savin dealer in the country, and also carries Konica Minolta, wide format and a complete line of document management products.

ALAN ELKIN SELECTED FOR 2008 DELTA SIGMA PI CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Cockeysville, Maryland (March 14, 2008)

Alan Elkin, President and Co-Founder of Advance Business Systems, has been selected as the 2008 recipient of the Delta Sigma Pi Career Achievement Award for his distinguished career in business.

This national award is given to business leaders who, "through their accomplishments, have furthered a higher standard of commercial ethics and culture and the civic and commercial welfare of the community." Elkin will be presented with a plaque in recognition of his accomplishments at an event in his honor this June.

Founded in 1907, Delta Sigma Pi is the foremost honorary professional fraternity for men and women pursuing business careers in universities. Today, Delta Sigma Pi has over 300 collegiate and alumni chapters and over 205,000 members nationwide.

As the fraternity's 14th inductee, Elkin is among the likes of Philadelphia Eagles' former President and General Manager, Henry Gamble, and JCPenney's Chairman W.R. Howell, to name a couple.

"I am incredibly honored to have been chosen for this year's Delta Sigma Pi Career Achievement Award," says Elkin. "To be named as one among so many distinguished leaders is truly humbling."

Elkin was born in Brooklyn, New York and later moved to Ellenville, a small town in upstate New York. He graduated from the State University of New York Community College in 1952 and went on to serve two years in the U.S. Army during the Korean War.

Following his service, Elkin returned to school to complete his bachelor's degree in business at the University of Colorado. It was there that he was invited to join the Delta Sigma Pi fraternity.

"It was a busy time in my life. I was working to pay my way through college to supplement the GI Bill while juggling academics, when I was invited to join Delta Sigma Pi. At first, I wasn't sure I could handle another thing or afford to take the time from my part-time job. However, the honor of being invited to join this outstanding business fraternity, together with what I knew would be a great way to build a lifetime network of business associates, was too much to pass up," says Elkin.

Elkin graduated in 1956 and began his career in Denver, Colorado with the Burroughs Business Machine Company. He relocated to New York as a sales representative for the 3M Company selling copying machines in New York City and then was relocated to Philadelphia. In 1960, Alan became a branch manager in training for the Victor Comptometer Corporation, and became branch manager in Baltimore in January 1961.

While in Baltimore, Alan met his wife, Lois Shanman, who was at that time, manager of the IBM Computer Test Center for the Eastern Region of the United States. They were married in 1962.

Alan and Lois formally started Advance Business Systems in July, 1964, as a two-person firm with a very limited budget, living only on their savings for the first two years in business. "Lois and I had been successful managers for our respective organizations but had a burning desire to start our own company. On April 29, 1964, the opportunity arose. With our first child past due and the requirement to move from our apartment because 'children were not allowed,' we decided if we were ever going to do it, let's do it now! We did!"

"With initial capital just under $10,000, we did every job including janitorial, packing, delivering, as well as sales. Everything was done by the two of us. Our business day would start at 6 a.m. and end often after 11 p.m. Our biggest expense was the answering service that answered the phones when we were not in the office. However, we also indoctrinated them with our dedication to customer service. This was the beginning of Advance Business Systems!"

Marking its 44th year, Advance Business Systems has grown to become Maryland's largest independent document management company, providing custom solutions for networked digital color and black and white copiers, printers, wide format plotters, electronic document workflow, fax machines and paper shredders.

Advance received the President's Award for being the largest independent Savin dealer in the country in 2005 and 2006 and also provides a full line of Canon, Konica Minolta, KIP Wide Format equipment and services. In addition, Advance Business Systems provides complete document management services and solutions. Alan and Lois were both recipients of the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in 2001, and more recently, Alan was awarded the University of Baltimore's Distinguished Entrepreneur Virtuoso Award in 2007.

Headquartered in Cockeysville with offices in Frederick and Annapolis, Advance serves organizations of all sizes including businesses and schools, as well as professional and religious organizations.

With annual revenue exceeding $37 million, Advance continues to receive national recognition and awards for their commitment to providing outstanding service-not just during "normal business hours" but during evenings, weekends, and holidays. Advance is also a manufacturer's certified service training center, one of the few in the entire U.S.

Advance has more than 175 full-time employees and over 60 full-time service professionals and managers, who possess the expertise in the areas needed to meet every customer's needs.

Alan and Lois Elkin have two children, Karen and Jeffrey, six grandchildren, and a Golden Retriever named Matti.

Past Delta Sigma Pi Career Achievement Award Honorees
2007 - Harry Gamble, National Football League, Philadelphia Eagles
2006 - Pete B. Petersen, Interim Dean, Graduate Div. of Business, Johns Hopkins University
2005 - Zuheir Sofia, Sofia & Company, Inc.
2004 - Joe Mayne, The Mayne Speaker
2003 - William Ginder, Vice Chairman, Crown Central Petroleum Corporation
2002 - Harlan E. Boyles, Sr., Treasurer, State of North Carolina
2001 - Michael H. Mescon, President, Mescon Group
2000 - Eduardo Aguirre, Jr., President-Bank of America Private Bank
1999 - Patrick G. Blanchard, President & CEO, Georgia-Carolina Bancshares, Inc.
1998 - Ronald L. Vaughn, President, University of Tampa
1997 - Robert B. Pamplin, Chairman, Georgia-Pacific Company
1996 - Dominic A. Tarantino, Chairman, Price Waterhouse World Firm
1995 - William J. Alley, American Brands, Inc.
1994 - A. Marvin Strait, Strait and Company, CPA
1992 - W.R. Howell, Chairman, JCPenney Company

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS KICKS OFF FREE EMPLOYEE WELLNESS PROGRAM
Featuring On-Site Exercise Classes and Personal Training by Life FXects Fitness Studios

Cockeysville, Maryland (March 25, 2008)

Advance Business Systems looks to shrink in '08-waistlines that is; all as part of the company's first ever free employee wellness program that kicks off today and Monday.

The 12 week program will be sponsored and paid in full by Advance and coordinated and customized with Life FXects Fitness Studio in Hunt Valley. Elements of the program include weigh-ins, one-on-one consultations with corporate fitness consultants, and on-site exercise classes during the work day at the company's Cockeysville headquarters.

"The focus of the program is on sustainable wellness for life-creating a balance that someone can realistically maintain with work and family," says LifeFXects' Personal Training Director, Nate Costa.

The idea for the program came about two years ago when the company's Chief Operating Officer, Jeff Elkin, began a personal training program with Costa. As Elkin began his own fitness quest, the two began discussing the possibility of implementing a program for employees at Advance. The concept was compelling, as Costa shared stories of dramatic weight loss and increased employee morale at a similar corporate client in the area who had implemented the program.

Fortuitously, around the same time, Advance's Human Resources Director, Denise Storm, approached Elkin about offering a structured weight loss program for employees. "We knew there was a growing need as we had been approached by some of our employees," says Storm, "But we just weren't sure about what kind of response we would get."

Of its nearly 200 employees, well over 50 have signed up for the company's first 12 week challenge. The response has been significant considering that only about half of its employees work solely "in-house" at the company's Cockeysville headquarters.

Participants can form teams of up to four or compete on their own. At the end of the 12 weeks, each member of the team with the highest percentage of total weight loss will receive a $200 cash prize, and the individual with the overall highest total weight loss will receive $300.

"We are constantly looking for ways to do the best we can for our employees," says Elkin. While the decision to offer its employees a wellness program was primarily to help its employees help themselves, Elkin can't deny the evidence that supports people in a wellness program are less likely to call out sick and have higher overall company morale.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS EXPANDS IN FREDERICK, MARYLAND
Expanded Office Increases Access to Maryland Businesses

Frederick, Maryland (May 22, 2007)

Jeff Elkin, Chief Operating Officer of Advance Business Systems, Maryland's largest independent provider of business equipment and document management solutions, has announced the opening of Advance's newly expanded office in Frederick, Maryland, located at 7190 Crestwood Blvd, Suite 400. The Frederick office gives Frederick and Washington County businesses better access to the latest in office automation technology and industry leading service. The move, according to the company, will further increase Advance Business Systems' growing presence in Frederick and Washington counties.

"Laying down roots in Frederick was one of our top priorities," said Jeff Elkin. "Building a rock-solid foundation and expanding from there has been our plan since day one. Frederick and Washington counties are rapidly growing areas, and it's an honor to be part of these communities.

Advance Business Systems, which reports about $36 million in annual revenue, joined the Frederick community three years ago when it opened a small office there. In June 2006, Advance bought Frederick-based Service Concepts, assuming the handling of sales and services for all Service Concepts' customers.

"We found that businesses in Frederick and Washington counties were looking for the Advance way of doing business, which conveys a passion for customer service," said Elkin. "Many larger companies don't have that 24/7 mindset. We are there for our customers anytime they need us - evenings, weekends and holidays. We're always available to provide service and support, and that keeps customers' businesses running and growing."

By acquiring Service Concepts, Advance gained several hundred new clients. Advance continued to run the company's operations from Service Concepts' facility located at 5713 Industry Lane in Frederick in addition to a showroom in the Patrick Center until the new Advance office opened April 1, 2007.

The new Frederick office maintains a sales, service, and support team on-site, a state-of-the-art show room, bright offices, and video conferencing capabilities.

"We are delighted to have Advance open an office in Frederick," said Marie Keegin, the Director of the Frederick County Office of Economic Development. "They're a wonderful company and will add to the economic growth and viability of the community."

Marie Keegin added that Frederick County had the 4th highest percentage of new jobs created of any County in Maryland from 2002 to 2006. Their labor force includes graduates from three top-quality higher education institutions: Frederick Community College, Hood College, and Mount Saint Mary's. This array of highly-skilled workers enable local businesses, like Advance, to recruit qualified employees and affords existing companies plenty of options as they grow and expand.

"We're excited to be a part of Washington and Frederick counties," Elkin said.

Advance Business Systems, founded in 1964, has grown to become the region's largest independent provider of document management solutions, including comprehensive solutions for networked digital color and black & white systems, networked printers, work flow automation, wide format, and fax servers, as well as shredders and supplies. Advance continues to receive national recognition for their commitment to providing outstanding service, as well as sales awards, from the major manufacturers they represent. In recent years, Advance has been the recipient of many local awards, including the Maryland Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year Award, the Better Business Bureau's Torch Award for Business Ethics, and the Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for Maryland.

Advance's 175 employees continue to rate it as one of the best places to work, making Advance a finalist for Baltimore Business Journal's Best Places to Work.

Why all the accolades and awards? Because at Advance - We Live and Breathe This Stuff®.

XEROX CORPORATION ACQUIRES GLOBAL IMAGING SYSTEMS, INC.
Maryland's Independent Distributors Step in to Fill the Sales and Service Void

Cockeysville, Maryland (April 14, 2007)

When Xerox Corp. announced last week that it would acquire office technology products provider Global Imaging Systems Inc. for $1.5 billion, Maryland's independent office equipment dealers knew there would be a void to be filled in Maryland's office equipment sales and service market.

"Global was a big company with an entrepreneurial and independent feel," said Jeff Elkin, Chief Operating Officer of Advance Business Systems. "Xerox has a very different mindset and structure to the company, not to mention its own set of equipment and service criteria."

Global Imaging sells printers and copiers from a variety of manufacturers, such as Canon and Konica Minolta, to small and mid-size businesses. Global announced it will start selling Xerox document-management products following the acquisition.

Global was a public company that acquired independent distributors. Under Global's company philosophy of "Think Globally, Act Locally" and a decentralized structure, core independent companies operated under their pre-acquisition names and management, preserving and building upon existing customer relationships.

The acquisition, expected to close in May, will add about 200,000 new customers to Xerox. Global Imaging generates about $1 billion in annual sales, the company said.

The purchase will expand Xerox's distribution in the small to mid-sized business market by 50 percent in the estimated $16 billion market. That's good for Xerox, but how will Maryland companies used to dealing with smaller distributors take to the Xerox corporate culture?

"Privately held companies answer to their customers; publicly held companies answer to their stockholders," said Advance's Jeff Elkin. "In the eyes of shareholders, publicly held companies are only as good as their last 90 days. With an eye on the future, Advance can reinvest in our business without having to worry about what that will do to our stock price."

Elkin explains that the office equipment business is an investment centered business. Privately held companies are able to move quickly, keeping step with the fast-paced changes in technology the office equipment business is known for. Without the pressure of worrying about how stock prices will look on Wall Street, privately held companies can make capital investments for long-term customer satisfaction

What's more, Elkin says, service is the most critical part of the office equipment business. Businesses no longer operate from 9 to 5, five days a week. Instead, problems and questions often occur off-hours and on the weekends. It's important to have a personal relationship with the people providing the equipment service.

Advance prides itself on being big enough to offer the broadest range of choices, but small enough that if a customer has a problem, they can still reach the President of the company or the Directors of Sales or Service.

Only time will tell if Global's Maryland customers will embrace the move to Xerox equipment and service. Independent companies like Advance will be ready with their entrepreneurial creed and array of choices for those who don't.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS, founded in 1964, has grown to become the region's largest independent provider of office equipment, including digital copiers, color systems, network printers, digital duplicators, integrated systems, fax machines and shredders. It has received the highest honors from all the major manufacturers and was recently named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Other awards include Maryland Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year and the Baltimore Business Journal's Torch Award for Business Ethics.

Advance's 180 employees continue to rate it as one of the best places to work, making Advance a finalist for Baltimore Business Journal's Best Places to Work.

Why all the awards and accolades? Because at Advance - We Live and Breathe This Stuff.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS ACQUIRES SERVICE CONCEPTS OF FREDERICK

June 2006

Jeff Elkin, Chief Operating Officer of Advance Business Systems, the Cockeysville, Maryland-based provider of business equipment and document management solutions, announced the acquisition of Frederick-based Service Concepts. The move, according to the company, will further increase Advance Business Systems' growing presence in Frederick and Washington counties.

"Laying down roots in Frederick was one of our top priorities," said Jeff Elkin, the company's chief operating officer. "Building a rock-solid foundation and expanding from there has been our plan since day one. Frederick and Washington counties are rapidly growing areas, and this acquisition opens many more doors for us."

The acquisition will also further the company's growing position in the office equipment industry. The company previously acquired two Baltimore branches of office-equipment supplier Monroe and Gestetner and more recently Rosedale-based American Business Machines Inc.

As a result of the acquisition, Advance, which provides business equipment and document management solutions, will assume the handling of sales and services for all Service Concepts' customers.

Advance Business Systems, which reports about $33 million in annual revenue, originally laid groundwork in Frederick about three years ago when it opened an office there. By acquiring Service Concepts, Advance gains several hundred new clients, and it will continue to run the company's operations from Service Concepts' current facility located at 5713 Industry Lane in Frederick.

"A key factor in deciding whether or not a company is a viable candidate for acquisition is how well the two organizations can blend together," said Elkin. "Service Concepts and Advance share similar product lines and business philosophies making this a natural fit."

Former owners of Service Concepts, Kim and Debbie Himmelmann, will serve as consultants for six months to assist with the transition period. Advance plans to retain all of Service Concepts' employees and hire additional people as the business grows. The Himmelmanns decided to sell the company, which they owned and operated for more than 21 years, to retire and pursue other interests.

"Debbie and I are extremely pleased that Advance Business Systems is going to take care of our employees and customers," Kim Himmelmann said. "There is a lot of common ground between us. We are both family businesses with great company spirit and genuine caring for employees and customers."

Furthermore, the company has introduced new technologies to the Baltimore and Frederick markets including a new line of multifunctional products, which include full color capability for no additional cost, and sophisticated document management systems. With annual revenue exceeding $30 million, Advance is now the largest independent Savin dealer in the country.

The company boasts a comprehensive offering of document management systems, including digital copiers/printers, scanners, document management software and systems, color copiers/printers, digital duplicators, fax solutions and shredders. It has recently received national recognition from Savin Corporation and KonicaMinolta for excellence in service and sales. Locally it won a 2003 Small Business of the Year award from the Maryland Chamber of Commerce. In 2001 Advance Business Systems' founders, Lois and Alan Elkin were named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS GARNERS TOP SALES AWARD FOR FOURTH YEAR IN A ROW

Advance Business Systems, the Cockeysville, Maryland-based provider of business equipment and document management solutions, has received national recognition as a top performer from Savin Corporation, one of the country's leading manufacturers of digital office equipment. According to Jeffrey Elkin, Advance Business Systems' Chief Operating Officer, the company won the Dealership Performance Award from Savin Corporation making this the fourth consecutive year it has won the award in the highest revenue category for overall sales excellence. The award was announced in late October at a Savin Corporation national conference for dealers held in Phoenix, AZ. Advance became the largest regional dealer of SAVIN equipment after initially taking on the product line in 1997.

Elkin attributes Advance's recent outstanding sales performance to its successful introduction of new hybrid digital copiers that offer color copying at no additional cost. The new machines utilize color scanning and a true 4 color copying process. Not only can color originals or computer files be reproduced in their true colors, but color documents can be scanned to email or other files. Until now, color copiers were considered a luxury item. Advance has brought it to the mainstream through excellent pricing and a wide breadth of products for virtually every application.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS ANNOUNCES ACQUISITION

Jeff Elkin, Chief Operating Officer of Advance Business Systems, the Cockeysville, Maryland-based provider of business equipment and document management solutions, announced the company's acquisition of the assets of American Business Machines, Inc. Effective Monday, April 26, 2004 Advance Business Systems assumes the handling of sales and service for all customers of the Rosedale-based American Business Machines. "Our growth is important so that we can continue to provide our customers with the latest in leading edge technology and our employees, whom we view as the best and brightest in the industry, with exciting career opportunities" said Elkin. "We're also excited to welcome our newest customers into the Advance family and extend to them the same outstanding service we offer to all of our customers," he added.

The addition of American Business Machines translates into several hundred new customers for Advance Business Systems. In business for 14 years, American Business Machines' owners had decided to sell their assets in the business in order to pursue other career options. Advance has been committed to the Greater Baltimore market since its founding in 1964 and has achieved steady growth due to a combination of technologically innovative products, nationally recognized and award winning service, savvy marketing and the entrepreneurial spirit to make acquisitions. In June 1998 Advance acquired two local branch offices of Savin and Gestetner which made Advance the largest regional dealer of Savin office equipment.

During the last two years Advance has made huge strides toward expanding its leadership position in the office equipment industry. In late 2002 Advance enlarged its headquarters in Cockeysville with the completion of a new 23,000 square foot office building. To continue its growth in Maryland the company expanded to Frederick County with the opening of an office there and dedicated a sales person to meet the document management needs of Frederick area businesses. Furthermore, the company has introduced new technologies to the Baltimore market including Archiveit, a turnkey document storage and retrieval solution, as well as a new line of multifunctional products, which include full color capability for no additional cost. In July Advance, now a major corporation with over $30 million in annual revenue, celebrates its 40th anniversary.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS EXPANDS TO FREDERICK

As Frederick has experienced steady growth, we have had an increasing number of requests from our customers who have offices in Frederick to provide them the same level of quality products and service they have come to expect in the Baltimore metro area. Establishing a strong presence in Frederick has been part of our long-term strategic plan. "Laying down roots in Frederick is a top priority," says Jeff Elkin, Advance's Chief Operating Officer. "This is not about having a satellite office. We will work hard to become a dominant player in Frederick as the leading office equipment and document management provider," he adds. Our goal is to become an active, integral part of the business communities in Frederick by adapting to meet the unique needs of Frederick's businesses.

RECOGNITION BY MARYLAND CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

The Maryland Chamber of Commerce named Advance Business Systems the 2003 Small Business of the Year (51-200 employees category) at its annual "Celebration of Small Businesses" ceremony held on September 19, 2003. According to Maryland Chamber officials, the awards program recognizes the dedication, innovation, and entrepreneurial spirit displayed by small businesses in Maryland. Finalists and winners were selected in four categories determined by company size and were chosen by a judging panel of representatives from Maryland's print and electronic business media outlets. Criteria upon which the finalists were judged include business and income growth, innovation, community involvement, and excellence in industry. In all there were 63 companies nominated.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS TEAMS UP WITH THE BALTIMORE RAVENS

Cockeysville, Maryland . . . ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS is the newest member of the Baltimore Ravens team. Jeff Elkin, Chief Operating Officer for ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS, announced the company has been named the official document solutions provider for the Baltimore Ravens. Under the new five-year agreement ADVANCE will supply the Ravens with network copiers and color copiers as well as fax systems at Ravens Stadium, the Owings Mills training facility and McDaniel College during pre-season training. The partnership includes various marketing vehicles designed to promote their relationship.

In its new role as a partner of the Ravens, ADVANCE joins a group of other successful corporations and organizations as a member of the Ravens All-Community Team, which raises money for the Ravens Foundation for Families.

"The Ravens chose ADVANCE because of our reputation for outstanding service," said Jeff Elkin. "We understand that professional football is a 7/24 business and are uniquely prepared to meet the challenges that this presents, " he added. ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS also has partnerships with the Baltimore Orioles and the Aberdeen Ironbirds.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS SPONSORS WWMX 106.5 CHANGE BANDITS FOR JOHNS HOPKINS CHILDRENS CENTER

Cockeysville, Maryland . . . ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS has joined forces with local radio station, MIX 106.5-FM to kick off the Change Bandits program, a new fundraiser for the Johns Hopkins Childrens Center and the lead-in to MIX 106.5 annual Radiothon.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS, presenting sponsor of Change Bandits, will work hand in hand with MIX 106.5 and the Johns Hopkins Childrens™ Center to recruit Baltimoreans to become Change Bandits, a friendly "thief" who carries around a moneybag and "robs" co-workers, family and friends of their change for the Johns Hopkins Childrens™ Center.

The three-week Change Bandits campaign will culminate on February 27th at the Change Bandits Bash hosted by ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS and MIX 106.5. The bash will be attended by morning show personalities, JoJo and Kenny who are also the hosts of the Radiothon which starts the next day, February 28th. All Change Bandits are required to attend the bash, and hand over their moneybags.

This is the 13th year JoJo and Kenny from MIX 106.5 have hosted the Radiothon devoted to the Johns Hopkins Childrens™ Center, and the first time the station has tried the Change Bandits campaign to boost total dollars raised. "We are always looking for new and creative ways to generate more money for the Johns Hopkins Childrens™ Center kids," said Bill Hooper, MIX 106.5 general manager, "When ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS agreed to come on board as the presenting sponsor, the Change Bandits program got a huge shot in the arm and promises to be a real boon to the campaign."

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS, founded in 1964, has grown to become the region's largest independent provider of office equipment, including digital copiers, color systems, network printers, digital duplicators, integrated systems, fax machines and shredders. The family-owned and operated company is currently building a new 23,000 square foot office building at its current site in Cockeysville. It has received national recognition from several different manufacturers as one of the
outstanding service organizations in the country and was recently named an Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS AND THE BALTIMORE OPERA COMPANY
RENEW PARTNERSHIP

Cockeysville, Maryland . . . Advance Business Systems' Chief Operating Officer Jeff Elkin announced that Advance and the Baltimore Opera Company have just signed a partnership renewal for another five years. The agreement makes Advance the Baltimore Opera Company's exclusive document systems provider. This partnership, which began in 1996, enables the Baltimore Opera Company to use state-of-the-art digital technology for all of its communications needs.

During the five-year agreement period, Advance will support the Opera in various ways, including underwriting various performances. "Our relationship with Advance Business Systems means a great deal to us. In this age of multi-national companies, we feel very fortunate to have a local company which understands the importance of supporting local institutions like the Opera," says Michael Harrison, Director of the Baltimore Opera Company.

Advance Business Systems, founded in 1964, has grown to become the region's largest independent provider of office equipment, including digital copiers, color systems, network printers, digital duplicators, integrated systems, fax machines and shredders. The family-owned and operated company has recently broken ground on a new 23,000 square foot office building at its current site in Cockeysville. It has received national recognition from several different manufacturers as one of the outstanding service organizations in the country.

ADVANCE BUSINESS SYSTEMS TAKES TOP HONORS WINNING AN ENTREPRENEUR OF THE YEAR AWARD

Cockeysville, Maryland . . . Alan and Lois Elkin, president and executive vice president of Advance Business Systems have won a 2001 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year Award in Maryland's competition. The award was announced at the annual Entrepreneur of the Year Awards banquet held on June 26, 2001 at the Hyatt Regency Baltimore, which was attended by 650 of Maryland's business, civic and political leaders. The Elkins will automatically be inducted into the elite Entrepreneur of the Year Hall of Fame at the annual international conference in November 2001. Co-founders of Advance, the Elkins are also now eligible for a national Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year award.

Lois and Alan Elkin received one of seven coveted awards in Maryland's competition in the business products category. "We've been in business for 37 years, and this ranks as one of our greatest honors," said Lois Elkin. "We've grown from a modest family business to one that employs nearly 200 people, and we attribute our success to doing two things right: treating each and every customer like family, and by staying ahead of the technology curve."

Founded in 1964 by the Elkins, Advance, a leading Savin dealer, has grown to become the region's largest independent provider of office equipment, including digital copiers, color systems, network printers, digital duplicators, integrated systems fax machines and shredders. The company has thrived in spite of the challenges faced by independent dealers. It established a Digital Solutions department staffed with some of the area's leading network specialists. Now a more than $30 million company, it is in the process of constructing a new 23,000 square foot headquarters building at its current site in Cockeysville, Maryland. "We've gone through numerous changes including the move from coated to plain paper to the widespread acceptance of copiers to the latest revolution, digital technology," said Elkin. The company has received national recognition from several different manufacturers as one of the outstanding service organizations in the country.

The Entrepreneur of the Year is a nationwide program aimed at identifying the country's most promising companies and honoring individuals whose vision, leadership, hard work and perseverance have created and sustained successful, growing business ventures. It is the world's most prestigious honor for entrepreneurs and is held in 44 markets across the United States and in 22 international countries. Founded in 1986 by Ernst & Young, the award recipients are selected by an independent panel of judges based on several factors including financial growth, an increase in employee base, the story behind the success of the entrepreneur, and the unique characteristics which set the entrepreneur apart from his competitors. The program is sponsored nationally by Nasdaq, CNN and USA Today.