Calence Launches Performance Solutions Practice; New Practice to Help Companies Maximize Existing Network Investments.

Business/Technology Editors

TEMPE, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2002

Calence, a leader in building and managing networks, announced today the launch of its new Performance Solutions practice to help clients maximize their investment in network and business applications. Mark Sullivan, formerly of Compuware and IBM, has joined the company as Director of Performance Solutions to lead this new practice.

Calence's Performance Solutions Practice enables businesses to run more smoothly and cost-effectively by achieving optimal performance from their technology investments. Calence works closely with organizations to understand the impact of new or changing applications on network performance to resolve problems quickly and efficiently. The practice includes three primary services:

-- Baseline systems. Using software tools and standard processes, Calence establishes a baseline to understand all applications currently running on the client's network. The service identifies all application traffic and creates traffic volumes and response time reports.

-- Triage problems. For production applications running slowly, Calence provides triage to quickly identify and resolve the root cause of the performance impact.

-- Profile applications. When working with applications still in development, Calence will profile their performance before they are placed in production, and make recommendations to optimize or adapt operations to insure a positive end-user experience

According to Mike Fong, CEO of Calence, the new practice area will build upon the company's existing performance solutions capabilities. "Using a proprietary methodology in combination with best-in-class tools, Calence has always specialized in helping clients solve problems surrounding the performance of voice, video and data applications as well as networking systems," he said. "Now, as more and more companies are faced with challenges to maximize their investment in network and business applications, the time is right to feature our expertise in this area as a separate practice, expanding our existing capabilities to continue to meet our clients' growing needs."

Mark Sullivan will be responsible for the growth of the Performance Solutions practice. With more than twenty-five years' experience in application performance and testing, Mark's responsibilities have included supporting multiple system platforms, developing operational plans and managing regional business units for international corporations. He has extensive system design and implementation experience for a variety of industries including financial services, manufacturing, healthcare and insurance. For the last nine years Mark served at Compuware Corporation in a variety of technical and sales management roles. Prior to that, he spent more than eleven years with IBM in technical, project management and sales positions.

"Mark is uniquely qualified to lead our Performance Solutions practice," said Mike Fong. "With a background in all aspects of application profiling and assessment tools, combined with years of real-world experience, he is particularly well-suited to help clients deploy software tools and methodologies that will enhance the performance of their business applications."

About Calence

Calence (www.calence.com) builds and manages customized, client-centric networks that are strategically tailored to meet an organization's specific business goals and requirements. Drawing upon both business and technical expertise and experience, Calence designs, implements and manages network solutions that reduce information technology costs, improve internal processes and increase operational efficiency. The company offers strategic services as well as expertise in a wide range of specialty areas, including voice, data, wireless and information security. Calence has earned designation as a Cisco Gold Partner, as well as one of a select group of Cisco AVVID Partners.

Recently named one of the fastest growing privately held companies in the country, Calence is headquartered in Tempe, with additional offices in Chicago, Dallas, Kansas City, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis.