Ben Cowart Joins Verso as VP of Strategic Initiatives.

Business Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 14, 2000

Seasoned IT professional to lead Verso in pursuit of opportunities

in softswitching applications and solutions for next generation

networks

Verso Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: VRSO), a leading full service provider (FSP) of business technology solutions, today announced that Ben Cowart has joined the company as Vice President of Strategic Initiatives.

In this role, Mr. Cowart will be responsible for identifying new business opportunities for Verso, most specifically relating to the application of new technologies to enhance the value added service offerings Verso delivers to its customers. Cowart commented, "Softswitching and next generation network systems have brought about a new way of deploying networks and delivering applications, resulting in a wider array of service options and a much faster course to profitability. Competition among LECs and other service providers has intensified, resulting in the need for these companies to differentiate themselves." Cowart continued, "This competitive landscape represents a huge opportunity for companies like Verso. As a full service provider, we have well established channels and are able to deploy an arsenal of tools, including MessageClick's unified messaging technology; just the type of advanced technology that the service providers need to distinguish themselves and maintain their competitive edge."

Steve Odom, chief executive officer of Verso, commented, "The types of partnerships that Ben is pursuing fit nicely with our business strategy. These initiatives are not a change to the focus of our business; we are strategically expanding our opportunities by applying our experience in networking and application development to capitalize on the growing acceptance of softswitching and next generation network systems. Our expertise in working with communication service providers positions us to work with companies like CLECs and LECs who already have the bandwidth and access, but need companies like Verso to come in and provide the additional services on top of the voice capabilities." Odom continued, "The market is primed for partnering. Ben is charged with the task of identifying companies and their customers who would benefit from the spectrum of services we have to offer. His technical knowledge and background in this area are strong and we believe these initiatives will result in a strong base of LEC partners who are both customers and resellers of our solutions."

Mr. Cowart has over 16 years of research and development and engineering experience, most recently as Director of R&D, Softswitch Development for NACT, the switching division of World Access in Atlanta, Georgia. During his tenure at World Access, Mr. Cowart was responsible for redirecting the research and development division's focus from legacy networks and applications to VoIP and next generation network systems. He established strategic alliances with vendors and was responsible for World Access's partnership program related to VoIP gateways and softswitch applications. He also led the effort to establish the requirements for NACT's softswitch, application server and media gateway platforms, including the application of H323, SIP, MGCP and related protocols.

Previously, Mr. Cowart served as Director of Product Management for World Access and as General Manager of the Technology Division of PolyVision Corporation in Wallingford, Connecticut. As Director of Product Management at World Access, Mr. Cowart was responsible for all aspects of the telecommunications switching product line and associated domestic and international turnkey network deployments. He planned and managed development activities including agency certifications and the incorporation of various protocols and interfaces including SS7/CCS7, ISDN and a wireless local loop interface. Mr. Cowart holds a MBA from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute and a B.S. in electrical engineering. He also holds the prestigious distinction of being a long-time voting member of the International Softswitch Consortium (ISC) and an active participant in the IETF and ITU committees.

About Verso Technologies, Inc.

Headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, Verso Technologies, Inc. is a full service provider (FSP) of application and outsourced IT solutions that seek to add value for clients by giving them the edge they need to stay competitive. Verso's full service solutions include eBusiness consulting, web design and development, application hosting, application and network integration, enterprise management services and outsourced customer resource center services. Based on each client's needs, Verso plans, builds and runs personalized business solutions that seek to improve profitability, efficiency, speed and/or customer service capabilities. Verso can be reached at www.verso.com or by calling 678.589.3500.