Bellcore Joins With ESRI to Develop 21st Century Telecommunications Software Applications.

MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 7, 1998--

MediaVantage(R) Network Engineer Features Automated Mapping,

Facility Management and Geographical Information Systems

Bellcore Monday announced a strategic initiative with ESRI to develop state-of-the-art end user software applications for telecommunications service providers in domestic and international markets.

ESRI, a worldwide leader in the geographic information system (GIS) industry, will work with Bellcore, the nation's premier supplier of telecommunications solutions, to provide competitive local exchange carriers (CLECs) with software solutions to help manage and reduce the costs associated with the constant churn of their outside plant facilities.

These solutions help CLECs to generate increased revenue by reducing time to market for new service offerings and by accelerating the delivery of complete end-to-end telecommunications solutions. Together, ESRI and Bellcore will manage implementation, consulting, and systems integration projects.

"Bellcore is a leader in providing telecommunications companies with software solutions that meet their specific market needs," said Jack Dangermond, president, ESRI.

"Combining our spatial technology strengths with Bellcore's industry expertise gives telecommunications businesses the best of both worlds and allows users the advantage of the synergy that results. What customers can look for in the near future are powerful client/server solutions for the enterprise that will let users access a wealth of data and applications quickly and easily."

Introducing MediaVantage Network Engineer

Bellcore's MediaVantage Network Engineer product will be the first product to be offered under this strategic initiative. As a member of Bellcore's extensive MediaVantage family of network operations support systems, this customizable software is an invaluable tool for all fiber- and copper-based CLECs and incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) who are building new networks and/or maintaining existing networks.

"This is our first step in delivering a complete suite of GIS-enabled products for the telecommunications industry where leading ESRI GIS technology is integrated with leading Bellcore Operations Support Systems (OSS) solutions," said Jerry Roberto, corporate vice president, Operations Support Systems, Bellcore. "This relationship delivers a compelling combination of industry-leading telecommunications and GIS expertise and solutions."

Initially targeted to small- to medium-sized facilities-based service providers, the product provides high-performance automated mapping, facilities management, and geographic information system capability in a scalable client/server environment. Users can create customized maps embedded with network and GIS intelligence that can also be accessed by a host of other applications including facilities management, network planning, network operations, customer services, and accounting functions.

The product combines intelligent spatial databases targeted to specific locations with relational database management systems and integrates them with the provider's facility model to document network facilities, trace connectivity between network points, manage network inventories, and solve complex geographical problems. The result is an application that brings a new level of GIS functionality to the telecommunication enterprise.

For more than 30 years, ESRI has been the leading developer of geographic information system (GIS) software with more than 220,000 clients worldwide. ESRI also provides consulting, implementation, and technical support services.

In addition to its headquarters in California, ESRI has regional offices throughout the United States, international distributors in more than 90 countries, and more than 700 resellers and developers. ESRI's goal is to provide users with comprehensive tools to help them quickly and efficiently manage and use geographic information to make a real difference in the world around them.

ESRI can be found on the Web at www.esri.com (http://www.esri.com).

Bellcore, a SAIC company, with headquarters in Morristown, is a leading provider of communications software, engineering, and consulting services based on world class research. Bellcore creates business solutions that make technology work for telecommunications carriers, businesses, and governments worldwide.

Bellcore has sales offices throughout the United States, as well as international offices in Europe, Central and South America, Asia Pacific, and Australia. Information about other Bellcore products and services is available at Bellcore's Web site, http://www.bellcore.com, or by calling 800/521-CORE. MediaVantage is a registered trademark of Bellcore.

ESRI is a registered trademark; GIS by ESRI and the ESRI globe logo are trademarks; and @esri.com and www.esri.com are service marks of Environmental Systems Research Institute Inc. Other companies or products mentioned herein are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective trademark owners.