Bell Microproducts Adds Networking Solutions from SMC to Product Portf

Bell Microproducts Adds Networking Solutions from SMC to Product Portfolio

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

    IRVINE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 8, 2005--

World's largest storage-centric distributor offers comprehensive networking solutions through strategic agreement
    SMC(R) Networks (www.smc.com), leading provider of networking solutions for the SMB/e and all the way home, and Bell Microproducts (Nasdaq: BELM), a leading supplier of storage components and solutions in North America, today announced that Bell Microproducts will offer enhanced networking solutions with the addition of SMC to its product offering. The agreement extends through the United States and Canada.
    Effective immediately, Bell Microproducts will offer SMC's full line of more than 300 networking products to its customers, enabling single-source access to more comprehensive solutions.
    "Until now, our customers came to us for storage video and server solutions, but had to go to another source for networking. Adding SMC's networking products to our offerings helps us serve our customers better," said Phil Roussey, Bell Microproducts' executive vice president enterprise sales and marketing. "SMC's expansive line of high-quality networking products gives our solution providers even more options to package networked storage solutions for their customers by working with Bell Microproducts."
    "We're proud to be named as an important networking vendor for Bell Microproducts," said Tom Rizol, SMC's general manager for North America. "The relationship creates new channel opportunities for enterprise solution providers, and streamlines their purchasing process by putting a full line of networking products -- from routers and switches to 10 Gig Ethernet and vDSL hospitality solutions -- at their disposal from the distributor that's providing the rest of the solution."

    About SMC Networks

    A leading provider of networking solutions for the SMB/e and all the way home, SMC puts its more than 30 years' experience to work for every product and solution the company produces. Leveraging strong industry relationships in combination with experienced and talented in-house design and engineering, SMC continues to bring to market a host of affordable, high-performance products. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., SMC Networks supports its worldwide market through regional offices located throughout the United States and 20 other countries. For more information about SMC Networks or its products, visit www.smc.com, or call 800-SMC-4You (800-762-4968).

    About Bell Microproducts

    Bell Microproducts is an international, value-added provider of a wide range of high-technology products, solutions, and services to the industrial and commercial markets. The company's offering includes semiconductors, computer platforms, peripherals, and storage products of various types including desktop, high-end computer and storage subsystems, fibre channel connectivity products, RAID, NAS and SAN storage systems, backup products, storage management software, and extensive support, integration and installation services. Bell Microproducts is an industry-recognized specialist in storage products and is one of the world's largest storage-centric, value-added distributors.
    The company's products are available at any level of integration, from components to subsystem assemblies and fully integrated, tested and certified system solutions. The company adds value with a broad range of services including testing, software loading, kitting, mass storage system integration and computer system integration. Trained and certified technical personnel complete each of these processes at Bell Microproducts' ISO 9001:2000 facilities. Bell Microproducts markets and distributes more than 125 brand name product lines, as well as its own Rorke Data storage brands, to original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), contract electronic manufacturing services (EMS) customers, value-added resellers (VARs) and system integrators in the Americas and Europe. More information can be found in the company's SEC filings, or by visiting the Bell Microproducts Web site at www.bellmicro.com.

    Safe Harbor Statement

    This release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements, which reflect the company's current views of future events and financial performance, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or facts to differ materially from such statements for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: the ability to successfully integrate the operations of recent acquisitions, industry conditions, changes in product supply, pricing, and customer demand, competition, other vagaries in the computer and electronic components markets, changes in relationships with key suppliers, foreign currency fluctuations and the other risks described from time to time in the company's reports to the Securities and Exchange Commission (including the company's Annual Report on Form 10-K). Investors should take such risks into account when making investment decisions. Shareholders and other readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. The company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements.

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CONTACT: Bell Microproducts Rob Watson, 408-501-3315 or SMC Networks Tony Stramandinoli, 949-679-8057 tony.stramandinoli@smc.com or NetPR Kimberly Maxwell, 850-835-2694 kimberly@netpr.net

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE SOFTWARE NETWORKING PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: SMC Networks

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