Alcatel Adds New Members and Enhancements to Applications Partner Program; Application Partners' Eagerness to Build on OmniPCX Open Platform Ultimately Benefits Customers.

Business Editors

CALABASAS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 26, 2001

Alcatel (NYSE:ALA) today announced new members and enhancements to the Alcatel Applications Partner Program, a joint business development initiative targeted at independent software vendors (ISVs) and developers who wish to provide value-added solutions for Alcatel's OmniPCX communications servers and Alcatel's OmniTouch contact center solutions.

The growth of Alcatel Applications Partner Program coincides with the increase in applications spurred on by the adoption of Internet Protocol (IP) -- ultimately benefiting customers migrating or fully deploying IP.

According to a recent research note by Kathleen Simpson of Gartner Inc., "Over the next two years, the number and quality of these applications will increase, and this will be the primary justification for IP switch deployment"(a).

Alcatel's communication servers have won industry and customer praise because they are open, full-featured and offer a smooth transition to IP, unlike limited architectures on the market today.

The quality and breadth of Alcatel's new partners strengthen this proposition. Joining more than 100 ISVs added to the program since its launch in early 2000, new partners include: GlobeStar Systems (wireless integration software solutions); ISI (billing); MSI (call accounting); Polycom (IP-based conference phone); RSI (call accounting); SonicWALL (network security); Sygate Technologies (VPN); SYMON (real-time information reporting and alerting); Tell Me (music-on-hold); Venali (Internet fax); Witness Systems (call center monitoring); and XTEND (health-care solutions).

As ISVs and developers leverage Alcatel's position in the market, the company is making it easier and more compelling for them to do business with Alcatel. Enhancements to the Alcatel Applications Partner Program offer partners new marketing benefits that leverage next-generation e-business platforms. Alcatel will now provide third-party Application Inter-working Certifications on its Alcatel Business Partner Web site so resellers, distributors and systems integrators can more easily develop optimum product mixes for customers.

Alcatel has also added Web-based support to Alcatel's Application Partner Program Web site for members requesting help on application program interfaces (APIs) or middleware. Another notable enhancement is upgraded workflow capabilities with a Web-based portal tool that allows Alcatel to manage the progress of partners. This tool allows Alcatel to manage the certification processes more efficiently and deliver timely information to partners.

"Alcatel has added new benefits specifically tailored to help developers integrate their products with the OmniPCX family and bring these products to market sooner," said Mark Truhlar, vice president for Alcatel's Applications Partner Program. "Application Partners will benefit from privileged access to Alcatel's installed customer base and distribution channels worldwide. Alcatel is working hand in hand with these Applications Partners to develop innovative solutions for customers that select Alcatel."

Alcatel's commitment to an open network foundation supporting standards-based protocols such as CSTA, TAPI, TSAPI, SNMP, LDAP, DHCP, QSIG, H.323 and future protocols such as SIP is a key factor for success in facilitating interoperability with third-party vendors. Coupled with Alcatel's global presence and leadership in the IP-PBX market, ISVs and developers can deliver customers compelling, integrated solutions.

Program Availability

For more information about the Alcatel Applications Partner Program or to apply for program membership, go to www.applicationspartner.alcatel.com

About the Omni Family of Communication Servers

Based on a client/server UNIX architecture, the Alcatel OmniPCX 4400 is an IP-PBX with dual IP-TDM capabilities that supports scalability from 50 to 50,000 users, innovative Reflexes telephone handsets, 99.999 percent reliability, one-number mobility, unified messaging and voice-over IP networking. The Alcatel OmniPCX Office (for Europe) is an "e-communications appliance," offering SMEs the best of today's voice, data and Internet communications tools.

About Alcatel

Alcatel builds next-generation networks, delivering integrated end-to-end voice and data networking solutions to established and new carriers, as well as enterprises and consumers worldwide. With sales of $29 billion (EURO 31 billion) in 2000 and 110,000 employees, Alcatel operates in more than 130 countries. For more information, visit www.alcatel.com.

(a) Gartner "Next Wave PBX's: A Few Solutions, but Still a Lot of Hype," K. Simpson, B. Elliot, September 2000.