Covergence Introduces Eclipse, Industry's First Secure SIP Access Manager; Offers Service Providers and Enterprises a Unified Solution for Securing and Managing Real-Time Communication and Collaboration at the Edge of the Network.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Today at the Gartner Symposium/ITxpo 2005, Covergence (booth #1840) unveiled Eclipse(TM), the industry's first unified security and management solution for Voice over IP (VoIP) and other real-time services based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). Eclipse was specifically designed to ensure the security and reliability of real-time communications, without sacrificing performance or quality of service.

After years of promise, Voice over IP (VoIP) is shifting from an emerging technology to a viable mass market solution. Cost savings is one reason. Yet even more compelling is the fact that the SIP protocol enables a new generation of applications and services allowing users to communicate and collaborate - in real time - without regard to location, device, application, or communication mode. The reality is, however, that SIP must be secured and managed like all other IP protocols.

"Although we have steadfastly adhered to the notion that SIP will transform the landscape of business communications, issues of security, control, monitoring and interoperability provided a very real deterrent to deploying SIP-based applications," said Dan Bunker, Director of IT at Boston.com, part of the New York Times Digital Media company. "With Eclipse, those concerns have been addressed. For the first time, we have access to a solution that ensures rock solid security and the highest performance levels enabling us to take advantage of the benefits of real-time communications."

Eclipse applies security and management policies to all SIP traffic at the access edge of the network, which is the access point between real-time services and users. At the enterprise edge, the challenge is securely connecting remote employees, customers, or partners to VoIP or other real-time services. Eclipse provides the security, control, monitoring and interoperability necessary to safely and efficiently connect remote users. For service providers the edge of the network is the "subscriber edge" where the requirement is to be able to secure and manage large numbers of concurrent connections. The remarkable performance and scalability of Eclipse enables it to meet this challenge while ensuring optimum service quality and reliability.

"The problem for service providers and enterprises alike is that the traditional VoIP service architecture makes it virtually impossible for them to deliver secure, reliable and high-quality real-time services at the 'access edge'," said Bob O'Neil, president and CEO, Covergence. "Eclipse ensures success at the 'access edge' enabling enterprises and service providers to address performance and quality of service with a single, unified solution for securing, managing and controlling SIP-based applications and services. We've developed a solution that gives our customers and partners what they need to fulfill the promise of VoIP and real-time communications."

Eclipse enables enterprises and service providers to:
--  Assure connectivity to remote users and across applications
    and devices
--  Ensure the confidentiality, integrity and authenticity of all
    communications
--  Secure the network from internal and external intrusions or
    attacks
--  Monitor and manage to ensure performance and quality of
    service
--  Enable high availability for reliable communications
--  Securely extend SIP services to remote users over untrusted
    networks
--  Reduce costs by managing all SIP service from a single domain
--  Scale to carrier levels of users and sessions
--  Secure and manage real time SIP services without degrading
    performance

For more information about Eclipse visit www.covergence.com or call at 978-823-5200.

About Covergence

Founded in October 2003, Covergence has developed the industry's first unified security and management solution for applications and services based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP). The Covergence Eclipse family of network-based appliances give organizations the knowledge and confidence that their real-time IP communications have the same security, reliability, performance and quality that they get today from the existing PSTN service. Comprised of a team of industry veterans that have worked in the networking industry for the past 20 years, the company's product line spans the needs of the Fortune 2000 up to the most demanding service provider requirements. Based near Boston, Covergence is funded by Highland Capital Partners and North Bridge Ventures Partners. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.covergence.com.

About Gartner Symposium/ITxpo

Gartner Symposium/ITxpo is the IT industry's largest and most strategic conference, providing business leaders with a look at the future of IT. For more than 10,000 IT professionals from the world's leading enterprises, Gartner's annual Symposium/ITxpo events are key components of their annual planning efforts. Attendees are responsible for more than $35 billion in IT spending for their respective companies, and rely on Gartner Symposium/ITxpo to gain insight into how their organizations can use technology to address business challenges and improve operational efficiency. For more information, please visit www.gartner.com/us/symposiumorlando.