Asante expands channel programs for reseller market; Enhanced StAR Program and New K-12 Distribution Program Strengthen VAR Distributor Relationships.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 1996--Asante Technologies, Inc. (NASDAQ: ASNT), a leading provider of Ethernet and Fast Ethernet networking products, today announced two new programs to enhance its marketing channels, including an expansion of the company's Strategic Asante Reseller (StAR) program to help broaden its distribution channel and a new K-12 distribution program to expand education sales and expedite fulfillment to resellers, VARs and system integrators.

"Both of these programs allow Asante to build its channel by improving VAR productivity and profitability," said Don Miller, vice president of sales at Asante. "Expanding the StAR program and introducing a K-12 distribution program will help increase resellers' revenue potential while enabling them to provide the end-user with a high level of service and support."

StAR Program

Introduced in 1994, Asante's StAR program authorizes resellers, VARs and network and systems integrators to sell and support the Asante product line. As part of the program, members receive free technical support, assistance with sales calls and free demo units for a 45-day testing period.

This year, Asante is adding two new elements to the existing program. Asante is now offering free self-paced training and audio response testing as an easy and efficient way for StAR resellers to add sales training into their busy schedules. Asante is also adding a new incentive called the All StAR Awards Program. StAR members or new VARs who register for the StAR program can easily sign up for the All StARs program to earn points every time they sell specific Asante products.

Under the program, a balance of accumulated points is held on Asante's unique awards card, the Exclusively Yours(R) MasterCard. Similar to a frequent flyer credit card program, the reseller can cash in points earned by selling Asante products for retail, travel and merchandise awards. Prizes can be selected from the "Exclusively Yours" Awards Catalog that includes products from top-name vendors such as The Sharper Image, Eddie Bauer or SONY.

The Exclusively Yours MasterCard can even be used to purchase airline and cruise tickets or a trip to Disney World. Resellers may also opt to re-invest their earnings to finance Asante-specific advertising, direct mail promotion, seminar enrollment or trade show participation costs.

"Asante is one of the first companies to offer this type of cutting-edge reseller program," said Kari Pendray, channel programs manager at Asante. "We designed this as a long-term strategic program to attract new resellers to the StAR program, while rewarding current Asante resellers for their loyalty in selling our industry-leading products."

K-12 Program

While continuing to build its distribution channels, Asante is also focusing particular attention on the education segment, traditionally one of the company's strongest markets in the reseller channel. Asante's new K-12 program is designed to broaden reseller support and sales in the K-12 education market.

The program provides education resellers with a variety of Asante's managed and unmanaged hubs, adapter cards, and other networking products at a special education discount through distribution. It also gives resellers the option of buying directly from the distributor, through Asante or both. By offering products at a lower price, Asante hopes to expand its reseller base while remaining competitive.

"The education market is a major portion of Asante's business and key to the company's continued success," said Russ Cook, director of education sales for Asante. "Asante is committed to supporting education resellers in all efforts to provide K-12 customers with the cost-effective networking solutions they need."

Products available through the new K-12 program include: the AsanteHub 2072, a chassis-based managed hub; the NetStacker(TM) stackable hub with optional management capability, Asante's Plug-And-Play unmanaged 10BASE-T hubs in eight-port, 12-port and 24-port configurations; and the Micro AsantePrint(TM) Ethernet-to-LocalTalk converter. A series of Macintosh and IBM PC-compatible network adapter cards are also included, such as the AsanteFAST(TM) 10/100 NuBus Adapter, the MacCon ComSlot and the FriendlyNet(TM) PC Card. The products are available through Ingram Micro, Gates, Merisel, TechData and MicroAge.

Products available through the StAR program include the following Asante Fast Ethernet products: AsanteFAST(TM) 100 Hubs, AsanteFAST(TM) 10/100 Bridge, AsanteFAST(TM) 10/100 Adapters for PCI and NuBus, AsanteFAST(TM) 10/100 Switch and the Asante Ready Switch.

About Asante

Founded in 1988, Asante Technologies Inc. (NASDAQ: ASNT) designs, manufactures and markets a full line of high-performance products for Ethernet and Fast Ethernet networks, including adapter cards, intelligent and non-intelligent hubs, bridge products and network management software. Asante products are available through a worldwide network of VARs, system integrators and distributors. For additional information, contact Asante Technologies at 800-662-9686 or browse the company's World Wide Web home page at http://www.asante.com. -0-

Note to Editors: AsanteFAST, AsanteHub, AsantePrint, Exclusively Yours MasterCard, FriendlyNet and NetStacker are trademarks or registered trademarks of Asante Technologies Inc. All other brands or products are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders and should be treated as such.

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