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Systems Xcellence Completes Multi-Million Dollar Software License With ShopKo Stores Subsidiary 

MILTON, Ontario (Feb. 12, 1999) – Systems Xcellence (TSE: SXC), a leading provider of patient-centric software for the healthcare industry, announced today that ProVantage Health Services, Inc., a subsidiary of the ShopKo Stores (NYSE: SKO) retail chain, has entered into a definitive agreement to purchase Systems Xcellence’s Pharmacy Benefits System (HX-PBS) software product. The total value of the software license agreement is valued at several million dollars.

Headquartered in Brookfield, Wis., ProVantage Health Services, Inc. is a leading health benefit company providing health benefit management services, pharmacy mail services, vision benefit management services and health information and clinical support services. ProVantage clients include payors, providers, drug manufacturers, state and federal governments. Systems Xcellence’s PBS software provides advanced Pharmacy Benefit Management features using a robust and proven technology platform.

Gordon Glenn, President and CEO of Systems Xcellence stated, "Being chosen as the solution provider for a company the caliber of ProVantage is another indication of our growing presence in the healthcare industry. Systems Xcellence is looking forward to a long and rewarding relationship with ProVantage. The signing of this agreement is further evidence of our ongoing commitment to execute our growth strategy."

The implementation will convert Pro Vantage from an IBM AS/400 platform to a client/server environment utilizing an IBM AIX SP2 (RS6000) platform using an Oracle relational database management system. The HX-PBS software will provide ProVantage with pharmacy claims processing, integrating with payment and financial systems, formulary management systems and decision support technologies.

ShopKo Stores, Inc., (NYSE: SKO) headquartered in Green Bay, Wis., is a leading specialty discount retailer operating 147 stores in 16 states, primarily in the Upper Midwest, Western Mountain and Pacific Northwest regions. ShopKo has announced plans to open 13 new stores in 1999 in Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Idaho and Wisconsin.

Systems Xcellence headquartered in Milton, Ontario is a leading supplier of patient-centric electronic transaction processing solutions for the healthcare information technology industry. Systems Xcellence combines robust, high-volume, high-availability transaction processing software, business expertise and services to deliver superior solutions to the demanding managed care sector. The Company’s shares are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol SXC.