Allied Riser Communications Selects Visionael to Aid in Management of Fiber Optic Construction Process.

Business Editors, High-Tech Writers

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 24, 2000

Company Implements Visionael Application to Help Support

an Aggressive Network Build-out and Service Level Agreements

Visionael Corporation(R) announced today that its industry-leading Network Knowledge Management Solution has been selected by Allied Riser Communications Corporation (Nasdaq:ARCC)("ARC"), to help the company better manage its network and to increase network efficiencies.

The benefits that the Visionael application offers are critical to the timely and orderly build out of ARC's fiber optic communications network in high-quality commercial office buildings across the United States. The Visionael solution continues to be successfully implemented at ARC, where it helps the company deliver against aggressive customer service agreements by linking all the network planning, installation, operations and engineering staff to a single, up-to-date network database.

ARC is the nation's premier provider of broadband Internet data, video, voice services and applications to small- and medium-sized businesses located in investment-grade commercial office buildings in 22 major metropolitan areas across the United States. ARC chose the Visionael Network Knowledge Management Solution because it is capable of designing the network, supporting the build-out process and mapping ARC's geographically distributed network. Visionael not only allows for the overall physical network topology to be mapped, but also maps each building, floor, room and rack and device, down to individual port level. Further, Visionael helps ARC's Information Technology Management team ensure that consistent design rules and configurations are applied to the network as it is built out.

"We have aggressive goals for the growth of our fiber optic network," said Steve Reichert, ARC's vice president of Information Technology. "With Visionael, we can better design and document the build out process quickly and be sure that each separate building conforms to ARC's practices in network design and configuration. This consistency of design will lead to cost savings in network equipment and deliver high network availability. We chose Visionael because of its ability to integrate with numerous business applications including advanced workflow and asset management systems."

According to Richard Zambuni, vice president of Marketing at Visionael, "Visionael is increasingly becoming the 'application of choice' for network lifecycle management among next generation service providers and network outsourcers. Our powerful network design and mapping functionality enables fast-growing organizations like ARC to build out networks aggressively and at the same time offer robust service levels to their customers. Additionally, Visionael fits neatly and flexibly into the different service provisioning and operational platforms that our customers use. With our open API structure, the Visionael solution can be integrated seamlessly with other network management, workflow and provisioning tools, as well as customers' business applications."

To facilitate a swift and thorough implementation and integration for ARC, Visionael has teamed with Tactica Technology Group, one of the fastest-growing management and Information Technology (IT) consulting firms in the United States.

Tim McGuire, vice president at Tactica commented, "The Visionael solution is becoming the definitive network knowledge management system for many next generation service providers, from wholesale DSL and ISPs to CLECS, IXCs and others. It is comprehensive, flexible, scalable, and can be integrated into all service provisioning and operational environments. It is critical to be able to design the network to set standards and then trace the designs through to completed installations in order to be able to provision services quickly and with 100% confidence. Visionael also allows superior customer service and faster MTTR (mean time to repair)."

Visionael customers include Fortune 1000 companies such as: AT&T, Chase Manhattan Bank, Donaldson Luftkin & Jenrette, Fidelity Investments, IBM, Lucent, Neuberger Berman and leading service providers such as Convergent Communications and Rhythms NetConnections. In addition, network outsourcers and managed services companies like IBM Global Services and MCI have selected Visionael as the Network Knowledge Management Solution that underpins the management and evolution of their managed networks.

About Allied Riser Communications

ARC provides very high speed, IP-based, "first-mile" communications services to small- and medium-sized businesses in major metropolitan areas in the United States. ARC delivers services over fiber-optic networks that it designs, constructs, owns and operates inside commercial office buildings. Over this infrastructure, ARC offers ultra high-speed Internet access, enhanced conference calling services, and other broadband data services and applications. ARC's Internet access services provide a direct "always-on" connection to the Internet at speeds more than six times faster than T-1 and DSL lines and up to 175 times faster than standard dial-up service.

About Tactica Technology Group

Tactica Technology Group (www.tacticatech.com) is a fast-growing management and information technology consulting firm that helps companies achieve their business objectives through the innovative application of leading-edge technologies. Tactica is based in Dallas, Texas and has offices in Chicago and Denver.

About Visionael Corporation

Visionael, a market leader and technology innovator, delivers proven Network Knowledge Management Solutions for the design, deployment and operation of complex, geographically distributed service provider, enterprise and network outsourcer communications networks. Through its powerful system of data-driven software, Visionael helps its customers leverage the network as a business asset. Headquartered in Palo Alto, CA, the Company maintains regional sales and support offices throughout the United States and Europe. For further information about Visionael, visit the Company's website at www.visionael.com or call 650/470-8920. Visionael SARL, the Company's European headquarters, is located in Paris, France and can be contacted at 33.1.47.55.30.88.

Note to Editors:

Visionael(R) and the Visionael logo are trademarks of Visionael Corporation. All other companies and products referenced herein may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders.