Akonix Satisfies Demand For Global Instant Messaging Management.

SAN DIEGO -- Establishes EMEA Office to Meet Growing International Demand for Security, Compliance and Integration at Leading Enterprises

Akonix Systems, Inc., the premier provider of business solutions for secure, managed and integrated multi-network enterprise instant messaging (IM), has expanded its presence in Europe with the opening of its London, UK office. Former Boole & Babbage and BMC Software executive, Darren Riley, has been appointed Director of EMEA Sales to drive business development and expand Akonix's channel sales program in this region.

Akonix established its first international sales office following the success of its European channel market program and increased demand from European organizations to secure and manage IM use. Over the past two years, Akonix has partnered with leading European security companies and resellers, including Webwasher and SurfControl, to provide a secure, integrated approach to IM management. Working closely with its international partners, the company sees increasing demand in the European market, currently working with ING and a growing list of European customers.

As the adoption of IM continues to grow throughout enterprises worldwide, the need for security and management becomes critical. A 2004 survey by filtering firm SurfControl revealed that almost 40% of staff in UK companies are using instant messaging programs while in the office. Most often this use is unmanaged, leading to potential security threats, corporate policy risks and compliance breaches.

Heading Akonix's expansion efforts, Riley brings more than 20 years of IT industry experience in direct sales, channel development, business management and marketing. Prior to joining Akonix, he was managing director of MQSoftware Ltd, a provider of middleware and transaction monitoring technology. While there, Riley was personally responsible for developing MQSoftware's business partner network and alliances in overseas markets. Riley held previous director and management positions at companies including Boole & Babbage, BMC Software Ltd, MAXM Systems Ltd and Candle Services.

"Thanks to the momentum built by our European reseller program over the past two years, Akonix has added a dedicated office to help support increased sales and customer demand," said Peter Shaw, CEO of Akonix Systems. "As the inventor of the IM management gateway, Akonix is in a prime position to provide the security and management solutions required to meet international organizations' needs. With Darren's expertise in international sales and business development, we are confident that the opening of our UK office will help further our global reach."

Akonix will be exhibiting at Infosecurity 2004 in The Netherlands on October 13-14, 2004 in Booth #8D1, with partner DaVinsi, a member of the Metastore Group. For further information, please visit www.akonix.com or email [e-mail].

About Akonix

Akonix is the leading provider of enterprise-class business solutions for leveraging the power of multi-network enterprise instant messaging. Akonix's award-winning products leverage patent-pending core technology, an advanced IM application development platform, and certified strategic partnerships to deliver multi-network management, security, integration and compliance capabilities across all major IM systems, including America Online(R) AIM and ICQ, Microsoft MSN, Yahoo!(R) Messenger, Microsoft(R) Live Communications Server, Reuters Messaging, IBM/Lotus SameTime and Jabber.

More than 300 customers in Financial Services, Telecommunications, Energy, Technology, Healthcare and Entertainment depend on Akonix to manage, secure and enable IM for over 450,000 enterprise users. Akonix is the preferred IM management solution of some of the world's largest companies, including Cingular Wireless, Qualcomm, EMC and ING.

Akonix is widely recognized as the technology and market innovator with awards for its L7 Enterprise IM gateway from Windows & .NET Magazine, Network World, eWeek, SC Magazine, PC Magazine and UCSD Connect. Akonix is backed by leading venture capital firms Menlo Ventures, Mission Ventures, Palomar Ventures and Windward Ventures, who collectively manage over $3 billion in capital.

For a free 30 day trial of Akonix's IM management and security solutions, please visit http://www.akonix.com/products/l7.asp, or contact Akonix's sales group at [e-mail]/619-615-9415.