NEC Internet Business Unit Signs Ingram Micro, Tech Data To Distribute PrivateNet Firewall Appliance; NEC to Sell Exclusively Through VARs with TCP/IP Networking Expertise.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 12, 1996--NEC's newly formed Internet Business Unit (IBU) announced here today that it has signed Ingram Micro Inc. and Tech Data Corp. to distribute its new firewall product, called PrivateNet, and that the IBU will sell exclusively through VARs.

PrivateNet is a turnkey firewall appliance based on a highly secure, hybrid generalized and application-specific proxy architecture. Unlike many software-only firewalls, PrivateNet was designed from the ground up to make installation, service and support fast and easy for resellers. Key design features include:

--An integrated hardware/software design that allows PrivateNet to be installed, configured and operational in less than a day on most networks that support TCP/IP 

--System software pre-integrated with a secure operating system on a single CD-ROM, simplifying installation and support

--Distribution of new product releases on CD-ROM, making system updates as easy as inserting a new CD and rebooting

--Industry-standard Pentium-driven hardware that meets NEC's high-quality standards, for exceptional reliability at minimal cost

According to Austin L. Stanford, national sales manager for the IBU, "PrivateNet, unlike firewalls from most other major vendors, will be sold exclusively through VARs, supported by NEC and the networking products divisions of Ingram Micro and Tech Data. We have given PrivateNet a suggested list price of $14,950 for an unlimited node version. That's a very competitive price, and we offer good margins and other substantial channel incentives. With the NEC name behind it, resellers can be sure PrivateNet will be promoted to capture significant market share."

NEC's reseller training, incentive and support programs include:

--A national security expert referral program Resellers can align with authorized PrivateNet security experts for audits of customers' networks and consultation on security policies

--Extensive national print media and World Wide Web advertising and promotional campaign, backed up by professional database marketing, lead profiling and distribution. This includes customer network profiling during lead qualification

--A free, comprehensive sales and technical training program, including a video, a workbook, regional bootcamp training sessions, and an 800-number VAR hotline

--Seven-day/24-hour software and hardware customer telephone support and a one-year on-site parts and labor warranty with a four-hour guaranteed response time

"PrivateNet is a solid technical offering, but the area where we intend to compete most aggressively is service to the reseller and the end customer," said Greg Xenakis, national marketing manager.

"Client/server networks are increasingly complex and demand for secure Internet connections is skyrocketing. But the real job of net admins is supporting and enhancing the productivity of users, and they're often not trained to handle complex network security problems. With PrivateNet, we're offering the equivalent of an in-house security expert. We have a turnkey firewall system, a network of VARs, and a unique Security Expert Referral Program. We think that customers will find that very attractive," he added.

Two Distinct Sales Targets

PrivateNet is based in part on SocksPlus, NEC's commercial implementation of the popular SOCKS firewall protocol, which has been used extensively by early Internet users to build custom firewalls. SOCKS is generally regarded today as the defacto proxy standard on the Internet.

NEC has served the community of SOCKS users for the last three years by maintaining the publicly-available free version of SOCKS. In doing so, the company has gained substantial firewall expertise while making significant improvements for its new SocksPlus implementation.

In addition to the primary market of system and network administrators who are not security experts, VARs can also sell to organizations with a substantial investment in SOCKS. PrivateNet is an excellent commercial alternative for network managers who want to focus on mission-critical objectives rather than the time-consuming task of maintaining a firewall.

About NEC Technologies' Internet Business Unit

NEC Technologies' Internet Business Unit was formed in July 1995 to address the needs of organizations that require secure and productive Internet connection and use. The unit's first technologies, products and services are security-related. Further information can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.privatenet.nec.com.The Internet Business Unit is located in San Jose, California.

About NEC Technologies

Headquartered in Boxborough, Mass., NEC Technologies Inc. is a leading manufacturer of computers and peripherals for the North American market. Award-winning product lines include the PowerMate and Ready System products, RISC-based workstations and servers, Versa notebook computers, the MultiSync X-Series of monitors and presentation products, Silentwriter and SuperScript printers and MultiSpin CD-ROM readers. NEC Technologies is a subsidiary of NEC Corporation.

Note to Editors: SocksPlus, PrivateNet, and SuperScript are trademarks and PowerMate, Versa, MultiSync, Silentwriter and MultiSpin are registered trademarks of NEC Technologies.

CONTACT: Hamilton Communications

Nancy Teater, 415/321-0252

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NEC Internet Business Unit

Deborah Buffington, 408/433-1531

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