CrossComm provides new nationwide network to UK home improvement chain; Deal worth $1.5 million helps B&Q chain migrate to LAN-based applications.

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 25, 1996--CrossComm Corp. has announced the completion of an order worth approximately $1.5 million in products and services from UK-based B&Q Home Improvement Stores.

The nationwide chain has chosen CrossComm's XL5 branch routers to connect all 285 B&Q stores in the UK to its headquarters site near Southampton -- enabling the company to migrate from its existing SNA environment towards LAN-based applications. The roll-out of the new network is expected to take place over the next three to four months.

Peter Hanson, technical services manager at B&Q said, "One of the main reasons for opting for CrossComm was its ability to support the existing mainframe environment while at the same time supporting a number of newer LAN-based applications running across a variety of different platforms. It was important for us that CrossComm was able to provide LAN-to-LAN access in multiprotocol environments."

B&Q also chose CrossComm's internetworking equipment because of the advanced management functionality offered as part of the CrossComm solution. The home improvement company went with CrossComm's Integrated Management System (IMS), their Virtual Onsite Technology (VOT), and additional software developed and delivered by CrossComm's engineering team.

"Functionality was a major factor in our decision process," said Hanson. "The XL5 routers feature integrated SDLC to LLC conversion -- which enables continued use of the existing 3270-based file transfer applications. The installation process has also been important: the management and diagnostic capabilities of CrossComm's routing equipment enable us to establish a stable environment in a complex application. This is a vital concern when one is installing the multiprotocol and multivendor networking structures for our largest branches."

"We are delighted that B&Q has chosen CrossComm internetworking equipment for the roll-out of its nation-wide network," said Alan McGibbon, CrossComm's European sales and marketing director. "It follows on successful CrossComm installations at other retail customers such as Kwik Save, Empire Stores and C&A."

About CrossComm and ClearPath

CrossComm Corp. (NASDAQ:XCOM), founded in 1987, designs, develops, manufactures and sells high-performance networking solutions. The company's product line philosophy, ClearPath, is the industry's first fully-integrated communications and networking strategy that provides IT professionals with a smooth transition from hub and router-based networks to the next generation LAN switching and ATM-based network environments.

ClearPath products -- integrating LAN switching, ATM, routing and LAN hubs within a single, fault-tolerant platform -- offer complete, high performance, modular solutions that can grow as bandwidth demands increase. Worldwide headquarters are located at 450 Donald Lynch Boulevard, Marlborough, Mass. 01752. UK headquarters are located at Swan House, Peregrine Business Park, Gomm Road, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire. -0-

All CrossComm product names herein are trademarked by CrossComm Corp. All other product or company names are trademarked by their respective companies.

CONTACT: Nancy Baptiste

CrossComm Corp.

508/229-5341

[e-mail]