Cornerstone Systems Solutions Implements Integrated Lawson Software Solution at Vertical Networks.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 18, 2002

Rapid Implementation Methodology Achieves Successful

Deployment in Less Than 90 Days

Cornerstone Systems Solutions, a technology consulting company, announced today that it had completed an Enterprise Resource Planning conversion project for Vertical Networks of Sunnyvale, Calif. Cornerstone, which prides itself in utilizing an advanced proprietary methodology to implement integrated Lawson solutions in very short cycles, completed the conversion to Lawson Software (Nasdaq:LWSN) from Vertical Networks' prior PeopleSoft solution in less than 90 days. Included in the conversion was a re-organization of the corporate accounting structure, the creation of an Inventory Management process, and a re-engineering of the Order Administration and Accounts Receivable functions.

Doug Sinclair, CFO and vice president of finance, who joined Vertical Networks in September 2001, made one of his top priorities the selection of a new ERP system to replace its current solution. "Choosing Lawson was an easy decision. We wanted to reduce our costs and bring in a solution that met our functional as well as budgetary needs very quickly," said Sinclair. "Cornerstone partnered with Lawson to help in both areas. They have accomplished much more and in a shorter time frame than what was initially expected."

Vertical Networks, the market leader in Integrated Communications Platforms with its InstantOffice(TM) system, expects the company to grow with its fully integrated Lawson system. With enhanced and fully integrated financials, procurement, and sales order capabilities, Vertical Networks has eliminated a vast amount of manual work done mostly in Excel spreadsheets and Word documents to communicate with its outside vendors, customers, partners, and internal staff. Many of these paper processes have been replaced with automatic purchase orders, batch replenishment, online order submission and integrated accounting workflow. "A month-end close that takes almost two weeks to complete is expected to take two to three days now," said Arleen Teranishi, assistant controller, Vertical Networks. "The Cornerstone team made sure that I understood the entire system flow so we could compress all our processes to less than half the effort."

Cornerstone's Rapid Implementation Methodology has had great success in implementing many of its Lawson clients in relatively short time frames. Vertical Networks was particularly challenging because it involved the implementation of over 15 Lawson modules, the conversion of financial data from 1999, and a Business Process Re-engineering overhaul of the Order Administration and Inventory Control functions against the background of a tight deadline. Tim Salaver, principal consultant from Cornerstone, led the implementation.

"Our success comes from our ability to understand the customer needs very early on and to build solutions that meet their immediate needs and allow them to grow," said Salaver. "We were also not afraid to provide our business knowledge and help build solid processes to create efficiencies and time savers. Once we created the new accounting environment and workflow it was a rapid succession of successes in meeting our milestones. We are very pleased with meeting the timeline given us."

About Cornerstone Systems Solutions, Inc.

Cornerstone Systems Solutions Inc. is a client server technology consulting firm that specializes in the design, development, implementation and testing of Lawson Software's client server systems and software for companies throughout the nation. Cornerstone's skilled staff works with mainframe, midrange and PC systems; database systems; data warehousing; data storage; e-commerce; networking; web development and hosting.

For more information about Cornerstone Systems Solutions, contact Dotti Gubisch-Yells at [e-mail] or visit the company's Web site at www.go-css.com.

About Vertical Networks, Inc.

Vertical Networks is the leading provider of Integrated Communications Platforms (ICPs), the first systems that combine voice, data, and applications support into one remotely manageable platform. With a unique focus on the needs of enterprise branch offices and small to medium-sized businesses worldwide, Vertical Networks delivers business solutions to a wide range of industries, including financial services, medical, publishing, and retail. To ensure total customer satisfaction, Vertical Networks' strategic network service provider, reseller, and systems integration partners offer comprehensive support services, including 7x24 on-site support.

For more information about Vertical Networks or its products, visit the company's Web site at www.vertical.com or call 408/523-9700.