Elitegroup Teams with i-Planet for Delivery of Unique Internet Communications Solution.

SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 1996--Elitegroup Computer Systems, Inc. (Fremont, Ca.), one of the largest motherboard and OEM systems manufacturers in the world, is expanding its position as a leader in the motherboard industry and becoming a major player in the emerging Internet communications platform OEM market.

Elitegroup has signed an agreement with i-Planet Inc, (Sunnyvale, Ca.) to market the i-Planet Solution (IPS) product family.

i-Planet, headquartered in Sunnyvale, Calif., develops integrated hardware and software solutions that enable businesses to become more competitive via the use of public networks, such as the Internet. ECS will manufacture IPS-168 products for i-Planet as the hardware and system supplier for i-Planet. With ECS's strength in the OEM market, ECS will market i-Planet hardware and software products in the top-tier PC OEM market.

The i-Planet IPS-168 is a platform for Internet communications services integrating hardware, router, gateway, Internet server, Web server, Firewall, seven proxies, Mail server (IMAP, POP, SMTP), Telecommuting (RAS) server, and LAN server, in a single, pre-installed system administered from any browser.

In addition, users of the IPS-168 can choose from a suite of optional modules to utilize Internet-powered applications and services while lowering operational costs. Other services include Internet-based Virtual Private Networking (i-VPN) with i-Planet CypherSpace, Internet-based Fax routing with the Faximilator, and the i-Planet MailSuite.

"We are pleased to partner with such a renowned and quality-oriented company such as Elitegroup," said David Vereeke, President of i-Planet. "Elitegroup's broad international presence and our innovative Internet-based communications products will empower a large community of businesses to benefit from the largest public data network in the world: the Internet."

"i-Planet's technology leadership in Internet and Intranet areas will certainly help our OEM/ODM customers to stay competitive in the emerging Internet/Intranet market," said James Lin, Vice President and General Manager of the OEM/ODM Business Unit of ECS. "With our strong manufacturing and marketing arms, coupled with i-Planet technology, ECS maintains clear differentiation in the eyes of our customers."

Corporate Background

ECS, founded in 1987 with just $200,000 in capital, has grown to be a $600 million dollar company with over 1,000 employees worldwide with factories and offices in Taiwan, China, Hong Kong, England, Germany, Canada, Japan and Singapore. A designer and manufacturer of motherboards, add-on boards and most recently, multimedia products for the OEM and VAR channels, ECS bases its success on strong R&D, total commitment to quality, and a highly experienced and efficient manufacturing team.

With active membership in standards organizations and close relationships with major chip manufacturers, ECS is well positioned to remain at the forefront of development for Pentium and PCI processor products. Its new multimedia focus, developed and priced for the home market, is supported by ECS' manufacturing expertise, economies of scale and existing relationships with major national distributors.

The multimedia products, by focusing on a broader market segment, are expected to expand ECS recognition in consumer markets. ECS is committed to providing a broad range of products that meet OEM and VAR requirements. Superior quality in manufacturing at ECS' ISO 9002 certified manufacturing facility has established ECS as a premier supplier of products to OEMs and VARs worldwide.

i-Planet develops and sells integrated hardware and software solutions that enable businesses to become more competitive via the use of public networks, such as the Internet. i-Planet's goal is to remove existing barriers which currently prevent companies from exploring their Internet options.

i-Planet was formed in January 1996 by Silicon Valley veterans and currently is headed by President David Vereeke. For more information on i-Planet, its services and its products, call 408/745-1500, send e-mail to [e-mail] or visit the homepage at http://www.i-planet.com. -0-

Note to Editors: i-Planet, i-Planet Solution, IPS, CypherSpace, Faximilator, PonyEspresso, APX, and iVPN are trademarks of i-Planet, Inc. All other trademarks and tradenames are the property of their respective holders and are hereby acknowledged.

CONTACT: i-Planet

Kristina Klein, 408/745-1500

[e-mail]

or

Miller/Shandwick Technologies

Stacy Libby, 415/962-9550

[e-mail]

or

EliteGroup

Sharon Wang, 510/226-7333

[e-mail]