Compaq Adds eBusiness Technology Center to Global Network of Solutions Centers; New Silicon Valley Center Scores with Internet Leaders.

HOUSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 29, 1999--

Continuing to demonstrate its leadership in continuous system availability and reliability for the Web, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE:CPQ) today announced the opening of its new e-business center for enterprise solutions in Silicon Valley. The IQ Center, the latest addition in a growing global network of Compaq Solutions Centers, has recently worked with enterprise leaders in the online economy to provide comprehensive business and technical expertise for Compaq NonStop(tm) eBusiness solutions. Focused on cross-platform interoperability and cross-vendor integration in complex application environments, the IQ Center combines the technology behind the company's proven track record in Compaq NonStop(tm) availability, massive scalability and end-to-end security with its expertise in running mission-critical business infrastructure worldwide.

Ellen M. Hancock, president and CEO of Exodus Communications - one of the first companies to work with the IQ Center, Silicon Valley - said, "Exodus builds the most technologically advanced Internet Data Centers (IDCs) and we will have 22 operational sites worldwide with 1.5 million square feet by the end of this year. Designed for 24x7 operations, Exodus IDCs are a virtual extension of the corporate enterprise, and our customers rely on our network and IDCs to be up and running 365 days of the year. We chose Compaq as an electronic commerce supplier because they are a leader in true mission-critical Compaq NonStop(tm) computing expertise, and they will enable us to bring this level of availability and scalability to our customers."

As part of Compaq's investment in a global network of 70 Solution Centers, the IQ Center, Silicon Valley brings together technology architects, business development experts, and Internet application specialists who work directly with account teams and enterprise customers to define, architect, and prototype leading-edge e-commerce solutions. Using this extensive network of Solution Centers, Compaq is able to share and exchange information and knowledge gained at each center, thus enhancing the benefits to customers. In addition, the Solutions Centers provide a vehicle for customers to have access to value-added services provided by Compaq's worldwide Professional Services organization. The IQ Center offers expertise in application public key infrastructure; Internet payment systems; secure, scalable mail and messaging; and cross-platform integration to Web-enable applications. Customers typically include:

--Companies building e-commerce infrastructure such as Internet payment gateways;

--Global entities or government agencies that are moving to a "click & mortar" model, such as Merita Nordbanken, the top-rated Internet bank in the world;

--Dot-coms that require massive scalability and Compaq NonStop(tm) availability, such as Quokka Sports;

--Service providers that rely on mission-critical technology, such as Digital Island, Exodus Communications, and DataCentric.

"In the online economy, a Web-based business can instantly succeed itself into failure when it can't manage massive volumes of transactions," said William "B.J." Johnson, vice president of the Compaq NonStop(TM) Solutions Division. "Customers interested in true mission-critical computing-corporations, dot-coms and government agencies alike-are finding that the expertise available to them in Compaq Solutions Centers like the IQ Center, reduces risk, cost and time to market for their Web businesses."

Compaq's network of Solutions Centers include enterprise consulting labs, benchmarking centers, application specific labs, and customer demo centers. Examples are the latest Manufacturing Center in Michigan; the Compaq Telecommunications Center in Valbonne, France; Finance & eCommerce in Munich, Germany; Finance in London, United Kingdom and; the soon-to-be-opened e-business center in Shanghai. Compaq Solutions Centers provide extensive engineering and consulting services such as architectural design, solution benchmarking and program management, solution integration, and proof-of-concept tests, i.e., validating specific configurations in simulated, stress-test environments adding value for business partners and for customers.

For further information on the Compaq IQ Center, Silicon Valley, contact your local Compaq account manager or visit http://www.compaq.com/solutions/iqcenter. For more information on the global network of Compaq Solutions Centers, please visit: http://www.compaq.com/solutions/portfolio/ccc.html.

About Compaq

Compaq Computer Corporation, a Fortune Global 100 company, is the second largest computer company in the world and the largest global supplier of computer systems. Compaq develops and markets hardware, software, solutions, and services, including industry-leading enterprise computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, enterprise and network storage solutions, commercial desktop and portable products and consumer PCs. The company is an industry leader in environmentally friendly programs and business practices.

Compaq products are sold and supported in more than 100 countries through a network of authorized Compaq marketing partners. Customer support and information about Compaq and its products are available at http://www.compaq.com.