Elematics Participates in OIF Interoperability Demonstration at OFC 2003; Control Plane Solution Automates Service Delivery with Optical UNI/NNI Signaling.

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

OFC 2003

BEAVERTON, Ore.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 25, 2003

Elematics, an innovator of multi-carrier, multi-vendor control plane software, today announced that it is a leading participant in the Optical Internetworking Forum's (OIF) UNI/NNI Interoperability Demonstration at OFC 2003 in Atlanta, GA from March 25-27, 2003.

The demonstration highlights Elematics' compliance with the OIF's pioneering User Network Interface (UNI) and Network-to-Network Interface (NNI). Live demonstrations will show real-time end-to-end service provisioning across a multi-vendor network topology of both legacy and next generation network infrastructure.

The public demonstration at OFC 2003 is the first showcase of the OIF's integrated UNI/NNI solution. The OIF NNI Implementation Agreement (IA) represents a significant milestone towards achieving an open transport network, with the objective to utilize control planes to achieve dynamic, end-to-end service provisioning between client equipment and optical network elements. Operating in a multi-vendor, multi-node network environment, the demonstration network includes a wide range of optical network equipment and software from eleven vendors.

Elematics' participation in the OIF demonstration at OFC 2003 showcases the Intelligent Network Control Plane's(TM) (INCP) ability to interoperate with various control plane implementations from vendors using the NNI standard recommended by the OIF. The INCP's flexible architecture supports control plane capabilities on network elements from multiple vendors, including network elements already deployed in carriers' networks. The INCP peers with these control planes, and extends the UNI/NNI signaling over network elements that do not support embedded OIF signaling. Elematics embraces the OIF standards, and is committed to interoperate with equipment vendors' embedded control planes.

Elematics plans a new release of the INCP with OIF NNI Implementation Agreement (IA) signaling which will be generally available in the second quarter of 2003. The new capabilities were successfully demonstrated at a qualifying test event that was conducted by the OIF earlier this month, as well as at OFC 2003. The INCP solution currently supports OIF UNI 1.0 signaling.

"In the interoperability demo at OFC 2003, the OIF demonstrates that UNI/NNI signaling enables carriers to deliver optical services more quickly and efficiently," said Clive Cook, Elematics' CEO. "Our participation in the OIF demo highlights the unique capabilities of Elematics to extend the benefits of OIF signaling across next generation optical equipment, as well as established electrical and optical equipment installed in carriers' networks."

About the OIF's UNI/NNI Interoperability Demonstration

The Optical Internetworking Forum (OIF) will sponsor the broadest demonstration of optical networking capabilities at OFC 2003 in booth #7620, Hall B. The event will be the first-ever demonstration of the OIF's integrated UNI/NNI solution. The goal of the event is to achieve dynamic, end-to-end connection establishment between client devices and optical network elements in the Control Plane. OIF is a rapidly growing non-profit organization with 250+ member companies to date, including many of the world's leading carriers, component and system vendors. The purpose of the OIF is to accelerate the deployment of interoperable, cost effective, and robust optical internetworks and their associated technologies. More information on the OIF and the interoperability demo can be found at www.oiforum.com.

About the Intelligent Network Control Plane (INCP(TM))

Elematics' Intelligent Network Control Plane delivers multi-carrier, multi-vendor connectivity for both legacy and next generation network. The product integrates with existing network management applications and provides comprehensive, real-time operations management of carrier networks. By breaking down the barriers between the islands of multiple network domains and elements, the INCP offers an enhanced level of interoperability that allows carriers to operate their networks more efficiently, reduce reliance on proprietary implementations, and offer compelling new services. These features result in new service revenue, faster delivery of existing services, improved service assurance, fewer service activation failures, and greatly reduced capital and operating expenditures. All of the INCP's core applications -- automated service provisioning, inventory discovery, and optical VPNs -- offer an ROI in less than twelve months.

About Elematics

Elematics, formerly known as QOptics, is an innovator of multi-carrier, multi-vendor control plane software that maximizes carrier revenues and minimizes expenses by providing the industry's first software solution for real-time network control and connectivity in global communications networks. The company's unique Intelligent Network Control Plane(TM) allows carriers to provision network connections in real-time, as well as offer new services, recover stranded assets, and seamlessly integrate next generation and legacy transport equipment. By helping carriers do more with what they have today, Elematics is changing the face of global communications. For more information on Elematics, please call 503/716-1060 or visit www.elematics.com.