Apex Announces ViewPoint 64 -- Enterprise Server Management System for ISPs and Data Centers.

REDMOND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1999--

High-end extension to popular ViewPoint(R) product family controls up

to thousands of servers and includes new AGENT (TM) technology for

advanced security and administration

Apex Inc. (Nasdaq:APEX), the leader in server management and console switching technology, today announced ViewPoint 64, the newest and most powerful addition to its ViewPoint family of matrix console switches. ViewPoint 64 provides large enterprise data centers, network operations, and server farms with efficient and reliable "out-of-band" server management. The new matrix switch, which is fully compatible with Apex's existing ViewPoint product line, extends the ViewPoint family capabilities by allowing up to 64 users to view, directly control, and manage activity on up to thousands of servers.

Apex also announced AGENT (Advanced Graphical Enterprise Network Tool), a new security and administration application included with ViewPoint 64. AGENT software allows network administrators to more easily manage the secure access to and configurations of large server populations.

"We designed ViewPoint 64 as a logical step to help enterprise customers and large service providers effectively manage very large and rapidly growing server populations," said Kevin J. Hafer, president and CEO at Apex. "And with systems of this size, it is imperative to offer the type of security and administrative tools that can link to the network and help it grow reliably. AGENT is a key building block in making this a reality."

"Our server growth is exploding and we need to quickly adapt to the growing numbers of servers and personnel without a performance hit to any of our key systems," said Terry Davis of the Navy Computer Telecom Station (NCTS) in Washington, DC. "ViewPoint 64 is a seamless growth path to our existing Apex ViewPoint configuration -- it adds to our server management capacity, and to overall productivity with the new AGENT capabilities."

ViewPoint 64 Provides Efficient Server Management, Security, and Reliability

The ViewPoint 64 matrix switch allows multiple users to control large enterprise computing environments such as those found at Internet Service Providers (ISPs), server farms and large network operating centers (NOCs). ViewPoint 64 is a valuable tool for day-to-day network administration, as well as troubleshooting in the event of system problems. The new system provides the following:

Efficient Server Management

Flexibility -- ViewPoint 64 provides out-of-band and

non-intrusive access to a wide range of key network servers, and

when teamed with Apex's new Emerge 2000 remote server management

device, provides universal access to large numbers of servers

from local and remote locations.

Compatibility -- ViewPoint 64 is compatible with a variety of

network operating systems and easily integrates with existing

Apex switches that are used by major server manufacturers.

Greater server density -- ViewPoint 64's innovative new

rack-mounted package and cabling scheme allows IT managers to

manage the physical aspects of their server rooms efficiently,

saving valuable data center real estate and allowing for more

organized server growth.

Superior Security, Reliability and Administration with new AGENT technology

ViewPoint 64 includes AGENT, a new application designed to allow network administrators to securely configure and manage user access to a large group of servers. AGENT, which runs on a Windows NT platform and provides for links to the corporate network, will also be available from Apex for use with the installed base of ViewPoint products.

Configuration Management -- AGENT allows for the creation,

viewing and editing of complex server configurations.

User Management -- AGENT manages user accounts containing names,

passwords, and lists of server access permissions and server

groups. This allows senior IT managers to easily partition and

manage secure access to server groups throughout the network.

Security Management -- AGENT's advanced security features include

support for on-demand login validation and user partitioning.

Administrative Management -- In order to provide greater control

over secure network systems, AGENT allows system administrators

to view and update the status of server connections, message

delivery and user intervention.

The ViewPoint Family -- Availability and Pricing

ViewPoint 64 systems will be available later this month, and with other ViewPoint family products, will be available from Apex directly, or from the Apex's growing network of distributors and resellers worldwide. Pricing and technical information on the new ViewPoint 64 will be posted on the Apex corporate web site at www.apex.com. Current ViewPoint systems, which address populations of up to hundreds of servers, begin at an entry price of $7,300, and continue to be available. Specifications for all ViewPoint models are also available on the Apex web site.

About Apex

Apex Inc., based in Redmond, Wash., is committed to helping IT professionals manage their growing server populations. Apex develops server management products, including console switching systems, remote server management products and integrated server cabinet solutions. Apex's OutLook(R), ViewPoint(R), and Emerge(TM) product families help manage servers in thousands of companies worldwide.

Top server manufacturers, including Compaq, Dell, and IBM continue to choose Apex products for their rack-mounted server offerings. Additionally, Apex was recently ranked fifth in Business Week's 1999 listing of "100 Hot Growth Companies" in America. More information on Apex products and services is available by calling [phone], via email at [e-mail], or on the World Wide Web at www.apex.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 

This press release contains statements that are forward-looking statements as defined within the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These include statements regarding product availability and Apex's engineering and design activities. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including the risks associated with reliance on a limited number of component suppliers and single source components and risks associated with product design efforts. Other factors which could cause Apex's operating and financial results to differ are described in Apex's Securities and Exchange Commission filings, including its Forms 10-K and 10-Q, and include other risks detailed from time to time in Apex's reports to be filed with the SEC. Apex undertakes no obligation to publicly release the result of any revisions to forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.