Aramark Uniform Services Purchases Vertical Networks' InstantOffice Systems to Improve Customer Communications at Branch Offices.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 17, 2000

Company Standardizes Office Communications on

Vertical Networks' Platform

Vertical Networks, the leading provider of Integrated Communications Platforms (ICPs), announced today that Aramark Uniform Services (AUS) has standardized on its voice and data platform, the InstantOffice(tm) system, to improve customer communications at its market centers around the U.S. AUS expects to purchase and install 27 Model 5500 and Model 3500 InstantOffice systems this year, and the company will continue to roll out systems in 2001.

"The uniform business is very competitive, so professional voice and data communications are critical to our continued success," said Ash Patel, director of IT infrastructure for Aramark Uniform Services. "Standardizing on the InstantOffice system gives us the infrastructure we need to improve communications with our customers with services such as voice mail, PBX, digital phones, and Internet connectivity. Another plus is that we're saving money while receiving a better level of support."

"Aramark Uniform Services is an ideal customer for the InstantOffice system, and it is using the system's full capabilities," said Alan Fraser, president and CEO of Vertical Networks. "We designed our product specifically with branch office communications in mind. These offices typically require all the functionality of headquarters but have neither the budget nor the IT staff required to purchase and manage complex, multi-product, multi-vendor communications systems. The InstantOffice system provides everything AUS needs in a single solution that the headquarters IT staff can manage remotely."

InstantOffice System Lowers Costs

The InstantOffice system offers AUS a number of advantages. Because AUS connects to an integrated AT&T T1 line, the company saves money by sending both voice and data over a single connection. AUS is also excited about the Voice over IP (VoIP) communications made possible by the InstantOffice system. "We were pleasantly surprised at how easy it is to install VoIP and at how good it sounds over our AT&T Frame Relay network," said Patel. "Using VoIP for calls among our U.S. locations will cut costs even more."

AUS also benefits from the InstantOffice system's remote management capabilities. Previously, each market center had to contract with local support companies, which lead to inconsistencies in costs and services. All InstantOffice systems can be remotely managed from AUS headquarters, where the IT help desk can quickly add, move, or change configurations and monitor all aspects of the systems. The InstantOffice system's backup and restore capabilities ensure complete security for configuration information.

Full-Featured System Provides Substantial Flexibility

While most of AUS's market centers previously lacked voice mail, the InstantOffice system enables voice mail throughout all branches. New attendant features in InstantOffice make it easy to transfer calls and set up conference calls. A seven-digit dial plan allows employees to dial any AUS facility in the U.S. or access corporate voice mail without using 10-digit dialing or an 800 number.

InstantOffice offers both voice and data functionality, and it easily integrates with existing equipment so users buy only the features they need. Thus, AUS offices with an existing data infrastructure purchase only voice functionality, while other offices purchase InstantOffice systems that offer both voice and data communications.

About the InstantOffice System

A new approach to small- and medium-sized-office communications, the InstantOffice system is a modular platform that combines the functionality of multiple communications products into a tightly integrated, robust, and remotely manageable solution. Businesses choose -- and pay for -- only the voice, data, and application services they need, selecting from a range of functions including PBX, voice mail, multiprotocol routing, 10/100 Ethernet LAN ports, and a voice over IP gateway. InstantOffice supports a variety of WAN access types -- T1, Frame Relay, ISDN PRI, DSL, and 56/64K DDS. All features are remotely manageable and support SNMP. In this way, the InstantOffice system addresses all the needs of corporate branch offices and small businesses with fewer than 100 employees that want best-of-breed communications without the cost and complexity associated with today's piecemeal voice and data alternatives.

About Vertical Networks, Inc.

Vertical Networks is the leading provider of Integrated Communications Platforms (ICPs), the first system that combines voice, data, and applications support into one remotely manageable platform. With a unique focus on the needs of branch offices and small and medium-sized businesses worldwide, Vertical Networks delivers business solutions to a wide range of industries, including banking, medical, and publishing. To ensure total customer satisfaction, Vertical Networks' strategic network service provider, reseller, and systems integration partners offer comprehensive support services, including 7x24 on-site support.

For more information about Vertical Networks products, visit the company's World Wide Web site at www.vertical.com or call 800/826-6769.