Akonix Attains Gold Certified Partner Status In Microsoft Partner Program; Further Distinguishes Itself by Earning a Microsoft Competency In Networking Infrastructure Solutions and Security Solutions.

BOSTON -- Akonix Systems, Inc., the premier provider of instant messaging (IM) management, development and security products, today announced it has attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program with a competency in both Networking Infrastructure Solutions and Security Solutions, recognizing Akonix's expertise and total impact in the technology marketplace. As a Gold Certified Partner, Akonix has demonstrated expertise with Microsoft technologies and a proven ability to meet customers' needs. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners receive a rich set of benefits, including access, training and support, giving them a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

"We are extremely pleased to have attained Gold Certified status in the Microsoft Partner Program. This allows us to clearly promote our market and product leadership in the IM security space and our relationship with Microsoft," said Peter Shaw, CEO at Akonix. "The benefits provided through our Gold Certified status will allow us to continue to enhance the IM management and security offerings that we provide for customers worldwide."

"Customers are looking for partner companies that can bridge the gap between their business demands and technology capabilities. They need to trust in someone that can act as an expert adviser for their long-term strategic technology plans. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners, which have certified expertise and direct training and support from Microsoft, can build a positive customer experience with our technologies," said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft Corp. "Today, Microsoft recognizes Akonix as a new Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for demonstrating its expertise in providing customer satisfaction with Microsoft products and technology."

As one of the requirements for attaining Gold Certified status, Akonix had to declare a Microsoft Competency. Microsoft Competencies are designed to help differentiate a partner's capabilities with specific Microsoft technologies to customers looking for a particular type of solution. Each competency has a unique set of requirements and benefits, formulated to accurately represent the specific skills and services that partners bring to the technology industry.

Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in the Networking Infrastructure Solutions Competency have proved their competency in implementing technology solutions based on either the Microsoft Windows Server(TM) 2003 or Windows(R) 2000 Server operating system, with a particular focus on Microsoft Small Business Server 2000 and Windows Small Business Server 2003. These implementations may include crafting solutions that connect Windows-based servers, PC locations and the Internet; installing a server farm; or building a small-business Windows Server stand-alone solution that includes file and print capabilities.

"We place tremendous value on our partners, who help us deliver solutions and applications to customers," said Allison Watson, vice president of the Worldwide Partner Sales and Marketing Group at Microsoft. "Solutions Competencies provide an integrated partnering framework that recognizes an enterprise's expertise and rewards it for the effect it has in the technology marketplace. It also allows companies to demonstrate for customers their knowledge of building solutions based on Microsoft technologies, such as setting up networks using Windows Server 2003 and Windows Small Business Server 2003."

The Microsoft Security Solutions Competency is designed to recognize the unique skills and requirements of partners specializing in delivering security-based solutions. Microsoft Gold Certified Partners enrolled in this competency have proved their skill in advanced security solutions to help protect customer information assets by building solutions such as security management and operations, secure wireless VPN and perimeter, and identity and access management.

"Security is a priority for Microsoft, and we rely on our partners to help us deliver security-based solutions to our customers," said Rich Kaplan, corporate vice president of the Security Business & Technology Unit at Microsoft. "As customers continue to automate business processes, Solutions Competencies such as this one enable our partners to better identify and showcase their security solutions skills when dealing with increasing customer demands to better secure their infrastructure."

The Microsoft Partner Program was launched in December 2003 and represents Microsoft's ongoing commitment to the success of partners worldwide. The program offers a single, integrated partnering framework that recognizes partner expertise, rewards the total impact that partners have in the technology marketplace, and delivers more value to help partners' businesses be successful.

Companies looking to secure and manage IM can get a free 30-day trial of an Akonix A1000 or A6000 IM security appliance by requesting it online at www.akonix.com/eval. Visit Akonix at Microsoft TechEd at the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, Boston, Massachusetts, June 11 - 16.

About Akonix

Akonix is the most deployed IM security product in the world, enabling Global 1000 companies to deploy productive, enterprise-wide IM that is secure, compliant and managed.

Worldwide over one million people across hundreds of organizations in the Financial Services, Telecommunications, Energy, Technology, Healthcare and Entertainment industries use Akonix products. With more than 20 patent applications, Akonix's 360-Degree Security provides the industry's only automatically-updated protection to block viruses and malware for both enterprise and public IM systems. Akonix has certified partnerships with all leading IM and presence providers including America Online(R), Microsoft, Yahoo!, Reuters, IBM, Jabber Inc., Parlano, Antepo, and Bloomberg.

An IM industry first, the Akonix IM Security Center (http://www.imsecuritycenter.com) provides real-time information about worms, viruses and other vulnerabilities that target IM and P2P networks. The company issues monthly and quarterly IM threat watch reports to track key trends and vulnerabilities.

For further information on the company, please visit http://www.akonix.com.