Computone Helps Create Infrastructure for Growth of Linux Hardware Supported by Linux Kernel, Plus Service and Support.

Business & Technology Editors

ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 14, 2000

Perry Pickerign, president of Computone Corporation (OTC BB: CMPT) says that more and more often, when his phone rings, callers "are asking about the wave of interest in Linux(R)." And, he said, the callers run the gamut from longtime Computone customers, strategic allies and distribution partners to even his former college football teammates at the University of Minnesota.

"It's no secret that Linux is very hot right now," Pickerign said. "From our perspective, it's going to get even hotter. We'll know a bit more about how the investing public feels this week when Caldera(R) Systems, a leading distributor of Linux, has its initial public offering."

Pickerign will be more than just a casual observer of Caldera's IPO, much as he and his company have been far more than bystanders as Linux has taken off.

"Last year, we took part in more than a dozen Linux industry events with Caldera as part of our ongoing commitment to the Linux industry," he said, noting that drivers for Computone's Gold Card RS-232 serial PCI controllers and its IntelliPort II family of high-speed serial communications products, are incorporated in the Linux kernel source code base.

Computone announced yet another major stride in its commitment to Linux three weeks ago when it said it would acquire Multi-User Solutions, Ltd., of Norcross, a third party provider of service and support specializing in SCO(R) UNIX(R), Linux, Windows(R) NT and other Open Systems.

Multi-User, which celebrates its first anniversary as Caldera's inaugural Authorized Service Center (ASC) this month, also handles operational responsibilities for Caldera's internal Help Desk and telemarketing sales for support contracts. In addition, Multi-User has a very strong relationship with Santa Cruz Operations (SCO), which has some 70 percent of the UNIX marketplace on Intel(R) platforms, and was SCO's first ASC in North America. Solid Infrastructure Needed for Future Growth

Pickerign said the future growth of Linux in the U.S. and abroad requires solid infrastructure. "The new combined Computone/Multi-User more than meets that requirement, and should be a catalyst for the industry it serves. Computone is a `Linux enabler', having first laid down the tracks with hardware by providing the physical connection. Today, service and support are essential for the success of Linux -- or any network operating system -- and is the fuel needed to power the Linux train and bring it to the masses."

A pioneer and leader in the worldwide IT industry since 1984, Computone Corporation (OTC BB: CMPT, www.computone.com) designs, manufactures and markets a comprehensive line of remote access communications servers for Internet, LAN/WAN and Windows NT/SCO UNIX/Linux and other Open Systems. Computone is also a leading producer of high-speed multiport I/O boards, serving vertical markets including healthcare, retail/point-of-sale, banking and financial, telecommunications, Internet service providers (ISPs), transportation, hospitality and education. Based in the Atlanta suburb of Alpharetta, Computone sells through a worldwide network of authorized and certified distributors. For the nine months ended December 31, 1999, Computone reported an increase of 29 percent in net sales over the same period a year ago.

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. With the exception of historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement.

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