CrossKeys Initiates New Program to Manage Multivendor Networks: Service Providers Will Be Free To Select Best-of-Breed Solution Without Compatibility Concerns.

KANATA, Ontario--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 24, 1999--

CrossKeys Systems Corporation (NASDAQ:CKEY)(TSE:CKY), a leading supplier of software for telecommunication service providers, today announced that it is initiating a program to develop the necessary software solutions that will break down the boundaries between vendors in a service provider's broadband network.

This initiative responds to the industry's need for software that bridges proprietary management systems when service providers deploy equipment and transport technologies from multiple vendors.

"For the past six years ISVs such as CrossKeys have provided pieces of the OSS puzzle with varying degrees of success in integrating with an operator's infrastructure," said Jeff Cotrupe, Senior Analyst, with telecommunication research and consulting firm, RHK. "This new initiative ups the ante by positioning CrossKeys as central to integrating the still-disparate components of every major operator's network management system."

CrossKeys is developing a generic interface framework that will enable one vendor's network management system (NMS) to speak with another vendor's NMS. This means one NMS will be able to manage any network device belonging to another vendor. In this way, service providers are free to select whatever equipment they feel is best, based on features and value, without worries over management compatibility issues.

"The telecommunications industry is at the stage the personal computing industry was about a decade ago," says Ian McLaren, President and Chief Executive Officer, CrossKeys. "The service providers are demanding more open systems. In personal computing, this led to interoperable solutions rather than rigid single-vendor networks. Service providers today require the freedom to select the best supplier for the need, which is the purpose of this initiative."

CrossKeys has considerable expertise in this area. It already supplies multivendor interfaces for companies such as Alcatel, Lucent, Newbridge, Nortel and Siemens. It will leverage this expertise to enable leading network management systems to communicate with each other.

This brings many benefits to service providers. They can be assured network faults are reported rapidly and appropriately, network equipment can be configured remotely, and new telecom services can be provisioned faster and with greater accuracy. These factors add up to savings and the potential to generate more revenue for the service provider.

For telecommunication equipment manufacturers, it means they can broaden their addressable market to include service providers with another vendor's network management system or equipment.

"This initiative will place CrossKeys at the heart of service provider networks," Mr. McLaren adds. "Further, by enabling multivendor networks to work seamlessly, we are improving the richness of the data we can collect for our industry-leading performance management solution."

CrossKeys Systems Corporation www.crosskeys.com is a leading developer of service, network, and element management solutions for over 180 of the world's telecommunication service providers, helping them gain a competitive advantage in deregulated markets. CrossKeys combines a commitment to research and development with experience in the world's most demanding telecommunication markets to deliver highly advanced software applications. A strategic partner with telecommunications equipment manufacturers such as Newbridge, Siemens and Ascend as well as Systems Integrators such as EDS, CrossKeys products help service providers deliver differentiated services, implement new technologies, and manage multiple vendor networks. CrossKeys has been ISO 9001 certified since 1995.

CrossKeys Systems Corporation is a public company whose common shares are listed for trading on NASDAQ (CKEY) in the United States and on The Toronto Stock Exchange (CKY) in Canada.

CrossKeys and logo are registered trademarks of CrossKeys Systems Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders and are acknowledged by CrossKeys Systems Corporation.