CommWorks and TCSI Team Up to Launch Network and Service Management Solution; New Product Helps Service Providers Reduce Network Operations Costs, Boost Revenues.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

MOUNT PROSPECT, Ill. & ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 9, 2001

CommWorks Corporation, a 3Com (Nasdaq:COMS) company, and TCSI Corporation (Nasdaq:TCSI), a leading provider of innovative network solutions for the telecommunications industry, today announced the launch of a product that offers carrier-class network and service management solutions designed to reduce network operating costs for service providers while allowing them to generate more revenue by offering new enhanced services.

The CommWorks(R) 5000 Network and Service Management System, a Web-enabled product, is a key component in the CommWorks' three-tiered architecture, the company's versatile solution for migrating today's analog networks to next-generation, packet-based converged networks. In developing the system, CommWorks licensed TCSI's Catalant(R) network management software, which provides comprehensive, pre-built application components including fault, configuration, provisioning, and performance management.

The CommWorks 5000 network and service management system delivers a management application that:

-- performs operations efficiently on networks of hundreds of devices;

-- interfaces smoothly with existing operational support systems (OSSs) to
automate business functions; and

-- provides a service-oriented view of the network.

"Service providers who are expanding their portfolio of offerings and extending the `reach' of their network are looking for a solution that simplifies their network management and operations support systems," said Irfan Ali, president, CommWorks Corporation. "Our CommWorks 5000 Network and Service Management System meets this requirement by providing a solution that can reduce their operating costs while enhancing their ability to generate new revenues."

"Leading telecommunications equipment manufacturers, racing to meet the demands of service providers, turn to Catalant for its carrier-class service and network management capabilities," said Yasushi Furukawa, CEO of TCSI. "Catalant's scalable and open architecture enables a reduction in operating costs and facilitates the dynamic introduction of new revenue-generating services."

The CommWorks 5000 system integrates its network management functions with service management systems to enable network operations center (NOC) staff to conduct bulk network management functions in a cost-effective manner. In addition, the system will give service providers the opportunity to generate additional revenues by enabling them to deploy services more rapidly, manage service level agreements more efficiently and by providing the tools upon which to offer managed network services offerings to their customers.

Key features and benefits of the CommWorks 5000 network and service management system include:

-- rapid service provisioning and automated service assurance

through integration among systems;

-- ability to integrate in a bi-directional manner with customer

care systems;

-- integrated bulk element management designed to reduce cost of

operations;

-- ability to add support for other vendors' equipment on a

customized basis; and

-- scalability for service providers of various sizes, small or

large.

The CommWorks 5000 system includes a core framework that provides common services and manages technology-specific adapters. These adapters manage a variety of media processing devices and servers. The CommWorks 5100 adapter for enhanced data services is available today while the CommWorks 5200 IP telephony adapter and CommWorks 5300 wireless adapter are scheduled for availability in the near future.

About CommWorks Corporation

Headquartered in Mount Prospect, Ill., CommWorks, a 3Com company, supplies network service providers around the world with access infrastructures and Internet Protocol (IP) services platforms that open new business opportunities and help them establish unique positions in a competitive marketplace. With flexible multi-service hardware platforms and modular software components, the comprehensive CommWorks architecture makes it possible for service providers to integrate their existing infrastructures with innovative technologies to deliver an array of next-generation IP-based enhanced services to their customers. For further information, visit www.commworks.com.

About 3Com Corporation

3Com simplifies how people connect to information and services through easy-to-use, connectivity products and solutions for consumers and commercial organizations. The company also provides access infrastructures and IP services platforms for network service providers. For further information, visit www.3com.com or the press site at www.3com.com/pressbox.

About TCSI Corporation

Established in 1983, TCSI (Nasdaq:TCSI) is a leading provider of software products and services for the global telecommunications industry. TCSI's solutions enable telecom service providers, equipment manufacturers, enterprise network users and systems integrators to rapidly deploy and manage network infrastructure and services. The Catalant product line offers carrier-class network management application and platform capabilities, targeting next-generation voice, data and wireless networks. The InExchange(R) and IncomeConnect(R) products provide integrated Operations Support System solutions, which include universal data and billing mediation for emerging service providers worldwide. TCSI is located in Alameda, California, with offices throughout North America, Europe and the Pacific Rim. For more information, visit http://www.tcsi.com, or call 510/749-8500.

Note to Editors: 3Com, CommWorks and Total Control are registered trademarks of 3Com Corporation. All other company and product names may be the trademarks or registered trademarks of the respective companies with which they are associated.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements as that phrase is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. For example, Catalant may not be able to manage next-generation networks as currently expected. Further risks are detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q.