Telcordia Technologies Spins Out Network Design Tools, Inc. to Provide Design Tools for Next Generation Optical and Wireless Networks.

Business Editors

MORRISTOWN, N.J.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 19, 2001

Network Design Tools Receives $15M in Equity Funding from Pequot

Capital Private Equity

Communications software and solutions provider Telcordia Technologies, Inc. announced today the spinout of technology into a new company, Network Design Tools, Inc. (NDTI). Headquartered in Monmouth County, NJ, NDTI provides optical and wireless design software for next generation network simulation, modeling and economic forecasting. Much of the software and product design team originate from the Telcordia Applied Research Organization, one of the industry's leading centers for telecommunications research and development. In connection with the spinout from Telcordia, NDTI has received $15M in equity funding from Pequot Capital Private Equity to expand and accelerate the development and marketing of the company's design software.

"As the communications market grows and becomes increasingly complex, carriers must seek ways to efficiently and cost-effectively deploy the components within their networks. Similarly, system and component suppliers need to optimize their product lines to meet the needs of the rapidly changing market. By utilizing NDTI's design tools, service providers can seek to maximize the financial return of their already deployed assets as well as bring new technologies to market on an accelerated basis," said Gail Lalk, acting president, Network Design Tools, Inc. "Working closely with Telcordia, Network Design Tools is well-positioned to become a key player in this nascent but growing market."

Network Design Tools provides flexible, vendor-neutral solutions to help carriers, system integrators and system equipment providers navigate the difficult choices available to them at every level of the network, from component and systems to overall network architectures. The initial customer offerings from Network Design Tools will include three families of products.

The optical component and device simulation tool family is designed to reduce product cycle times, and model the performance of components and subsystems in complex networks. It provides a framework for system integrators and component suppliers to evaluate tradeoffs among different vendors' products, and improve the quality and reliability of optical networks. Carriers that employ these tools have the potential to reduce product design and development times by up to a factor of five.

The network modeling tool family identifies lowest cost solutions for increasing network capacity and deploying new technologies. Initially, the product family will focus on optimizing the configuration of SONET and WDM rings to best meet the needs of a serving area. Customers who use these tools can potentially realize significant savings in equipment costs.

The economic forecasting tool family is a powerful strategic planning device. This tool enables users to rapidly evaluate the technical and economic merits of a complex wired or wireless next generation network (NGN), or legacy network evolution plan. It has been used successfully to determine prudent bids for new spectrum in the wireless arena, and by several equipment manufacturers to determine features and specifications needed for their equipment to succeed in target markets.

"We are thrilled that these tools, which have already been used successfully with leading global service providers for the introduction of leading-edge technologies in their networks, will now be available commercially," said Robert Lucky, corporate vice president, Applied Research, Telcordia Technologies. "Network Design Tools has the potential to unleash tremendous value by turning these solutions into commercial products."

In connection with the formation of NDTI, Gail Lalk has been appointed Acting President. Ms. Lalk has more than 15 years of experience in the industry, the majority of which has been spent at Telcordia. She has a broad range of research experience in optical network technologies and applications, extensive contacts in the industry, and operational and business management experience.

"NDTI's family of tools allows component and equipment manufacturers to design products that achieve optimal network performance and compatibility, while giving service providers the ability to evaluate the most cost effective and technically sound solution for increasing network capacity. The tools' rich history of providing results for Telcordia customers give them great credibility," said Gerald Poch, managing director, Pequot Capital Management.

About Telcordia Technologies, Inc.

Telcordia Technologies, Inc., an SAIC company, is one of the world's largest providers of operations support systems, network software and consulting and engineering services to the telecommunications industry. A leader in the development of Next Generation Network technologies, Telcordia employs more than 7,000 professionals, and has revenues of more than $1.5 billion. Telcordia (www.telcordia.com) is headquartered in Morristown, NJ with offices throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Central and South America and Asia Pacific.

About Pequot Private Equity

Pequot Private Equity is the venture capital arm of Pequot Capital Management, Inc., a leading investment firm with more than $10 billion under management in 23 funds. Leveraging Pequot Capital's in-depth global research, market access and proven lifecycle investment expertise, Pequot Private Equity helps early stage start-ups and emerging companies build sustainable competitive advantage in fast-moving technology markets. Pequot Private Equity invests in young and growing companies pursuing leadership in such dynamic market sectors as telecommunications and network infrastructure, eBusiness, and technology-enabled healthcare. Pequot Capital manages investments across all stages of a portfolio company's growth, from start-up to maturity. Pequot Capital is 100% employee-owned and has offices in New York, Westport, San Francisco and London. For more information visit www.pequotcap.com