Concord Inks Deal with Innovative IT Service Provider in The Netherlands.

MARLBORO, Mass. -- Vertis' Implementation of End-to-End Business Service Management Solution Changes Problem-Handling from Reactive to Proactive

Concord Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCRD), a global provider of Business Service Management software solutions, today announced that it has won a contract with Vertis, a Netherlands-based IT service provider specialized in business-process based information systems for customers in a variety of industries. With an accent on application performance management, the implementation enables business managers of Vertis customers to evaluate the performance of their applications, systems and networks in an easy-to-understand way - from the user's perspective. The solution was sold through and implemented by SMT Simple Management Technologies B.V., one of Concord's principal resellers in the region.

Vertis has signed service level agreements (SLAs) with its customers in varying industries across the Netherlands, and has always provided regular reports on the performance of the systems and applications it provides. But business managers at some customer sites found it challenging to decipher lists of technical detail, preferring to know what the quality of the user experience was in a given time frame, or how the level of application availability and response was seen from a user's perspective. Vertis started moving from a reactive to a more proactive approach in its service provision, using a series of transparent key performance indicators, like application transaction time, rather than technical listings. The company then embarked on an evaluation of a number of different products, followed by two proof-of-concept phases before selecting Concord's eHealth(R) Suite of BSM solutions.

"What makes Concord stand out from the competition is that it's oriented to what business people want and need to know. What's especially important for users is how their applications are responding, like how long it takes to open a standard form or log in to an enterprise application, and the user experience is the ultimate measurement," noted Maarten de Vries, Director of Information and Communications Technologies at Vertis. "In addition, the Concord solution was really easy to implement, so that our customers can start seeing results rapidly. We, and a lot of our customers, use Citrix and the Oracle E-Business Suite and Concord's support for these is excellent. Finally, both active and observational measurement are enabled, making it a high-value solution both for us and for our customers."

"Tying application performance to the underlying infrastructure of networks and systems is fundamental to driving business success, both for service providers and for their customers," said Frank Kettenstock, Concord's Vice President of Product Marketing. "End-to-end visibility and management enables them to get the most from their investment in enterprise applications."

About Vertis

Vertis is specialized in improving its customers' business processes using IT systems and process automation. As a full-service supplier, Vertis' services range from consultancy and implementation of standard software to the development of tailor-made solutions and the administration of these systems. In addition, Vertis supplies the required hardware, licenses and training. Vertis works with technologies of market leaders, including Oracle, Microsoft, and Citrix. Apart from its main office in Groningen, Vertis has four establishments throughout the Netherlands. For more information please visit www.vertis.nl.

About SMT

Simple Management Technologies B.V. operates as a software supplier and integrator of Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) management solutions. The company provides a Service Assurance Management solution, which consists of best-of-breed availability, performance and security software. Founded in 1997, the company's growth and success has been based on providing simple but effective solutions that address customer needs to control their ICT infrastructure supporting their business. For more information please visit www.smtware.com.

About Concord Communications, Inc.

Concord Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq: CCRD) provides an integrated solution that enables companies to map their IT services to business needs, measure their actual end-user experience, and manage their applications, systems, and networks. More than 3000 companies worldwide, including 23 of the world's 24 largest service providers, rely on Concord to optimize IT services to drive business success. Based in Marlboro, Massachusetts, USA, Concord maintains offices around the globe, and can be found on the web at www.concord.com.

Concord Communications, Inc., the Concord logo and Business Service Console are trademarks of Concord Communications, Inc. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Forward-looking statements made in this press release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Readers are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein. Risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks detailed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including but not limited to, the Company's annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. Any forward-looking statements should be considered in light of all these factors. The information contained in this press release is applicable only today and should thereafter be considered historical and will no longer constitute the Company's current expectations. The Company undertakes no obligation to update information contained in this press release.