Connected Expands Management Team With Executive From Peregrine Systems; The Company Adds European General Manager To Spearhead Global Expansion.

Business/Technology Editors

NATICK, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 5, 2001

Connected, the leading provider of eSupport solutions, today announced that Leo Merkel has joined the company as European general manager. Merkel, who will report to John Clancy, senior vice president of sales and marketing, will be responsible for Connected's European expansion, with a focus on business development, sales and marketing.

"Leo's credentials are exactly what Connected was looking for to further our success as we continue our international expansion," said Bob Brennan, chief executive officer at Connected. "During his tenure at Peregrine Systems, Leo proved to be a driving force with establishing the company's global presence. Leo brings a great mix of industry sales and marketing experience that will prove invaluable as we bring the benefits of Connected TLM to companies in Europe."

Prior to joining Connected, Merkel most recently served as Director of Central Europe at Peregrine Systems where he had P&L responsibility for $40M in annual revenue, established a senior management team and increased the European employee base by fifty percent. Merkel also held similar European General Manager positions at Borland GmbH, ADP Employer Services and GUPTA GmbH prior to his stint at Peregrine Systems.

"Working in this industry, I am well aware of Connected's value proposition and its complimentary offerings to helpdesk systems like those from Peregrine and Remedy," said Merkel. "A company's most important asset, its data, primarily resides on an individual's system, unprotected from theft, breakage or new virus'. This problem goes largely unsolved in most companies and Connected's nonintrusive approach to data protection is revered in the industry. The professional opportunity Connected offered is a once in a lifetime chance to broaden the international reach of a U.S.-based organization and establish a powerful European presence."

About Connected

Connected provides eSupport solutions, including application healing, migration, asset discovery, disaster recovery and backup for enterprises of all sizes. Connected's Internet-based solutions are designed to reduce the total cost and burden associated with supporting PCs by solving the problems that occur during the life of a PC. Connected's solutions are used worldwide by many of the largest corporations and have garnered numerous industry awards including: PC Magazine's "Editor's Choice" and "Best of 1999;" InfoWorld's "Hot Product," "Best of Test Center," and "Hot Companies;" CNET's "Buy It;" PC Computing's "4 Star Award;" and Upside's "Hot 100." Connected is based in Natick, Massachusetts. For more information visit www.connected.com or call 1-800-353-3078.

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