Network Engines, Microsoft and InTechnology partner to sell security a

Network Engines, Microsoft and InTechnology partner to sell security appliances to the European market

    Business Editors/High-Tech Editors

    CANTON, Mass. & LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2005--Network Engines

--	Network Engines enters European market
--	Microsoft builds compelling security offering for Europe
--	InTechnology to be exclusive pan-European distributor

    Network Engines, NASDAQ:NENG, InTechnology and Microsoft, NASDAQ:MSFT announced today a pan-European security appliance partnership.
    Network Engines, a leading OEM appliance partner for Microsoft security solutions, has signed an exclusive one-year pan-European agreement with InTechnology, to distribute the Network Engines NS Series of Security Appliances. Network Engines NS Series is a family of security appliances powered by Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration Server 2004 (ISA). Under the terms of the agreement, InTechnology, one of Europe's largest distributors of IT infrastructure solutions, will market the security appliances across Europe via its network of consultants, systems integrators and resellers.
    Specifically designed to defend Microsoft server assets, these appliances provide customers with the best available perimeter and application firewall protection for critical Microsoft products and services, including Microsoft Exchange Server, Internet Information Services (IIS) and SharePoint(R) Portal Server. Additionally, businesses are able to connect to a strong Virtual Private Network whether they are working centrally, remotely or in branch offices. Other benefits available to customers include web caching and web access control, each providing Microsoft users the peace of mind that they are doing business securely.
    "NEI is committed to building best in breed security appliance solutions based on Microsoft ISA Server 2004," said John Curtis, CEO of Network Engines. "We were looking for a partner who could properly represent our products in this very important market. We are delighted to be partnering with InTechnology, which brings a pan-European presence and focused commitment to providing high quality security products and services. InTechnology has a well thought out growth and investment strategy, supported by Microsoft, which we believe will enable us together to accelerate the penetration of NS Series appliances into the European marketplace."
    Niall McGrane, divisional director of InTechnology Security Solutions, (Spokesperson to be Frederick Ordronneau outside UK) comments on the benefits of this agreement to the reseller community, "We have seen interest escalate within businesses working in a Microsoft environment for an increase in security, particularly in relation to Microsoft Exchange server deployments. These companies now have the ability extend their Microsoft assets such as Exchange server out to the Internet with confidence. Our established network of the best channel partners across Europe are now able to provide businesses with a comprehensive security solution, which is easy to implement and maintain. This agreement with Network Engines and Microsoft will also encourage those resellers that are new to security to enter the market with this "appliance-style" product".
    Microsoft has moved into the security arena, with the further development of its ISA server product. Mark Dodds, regional director security, storage and systems management for Microsoft adds, "The initial deal provides Microsoft with a unique opportunity to build a strong channel-based security business in Europe. By bringing together InTechnology's tremendous channel reach and capability and the leading edge products of Network Engines, we can continue to build a very strong security proposition for customers of all sizes. This alliance is a major milestone for Microsoft in our quest to build a compelling security offering for customers across the region."

    About InTechnology

    InTechnology plc is a 22-year old AIM listed public company, with an annual turnover approaching EUR 0.5billion, employing 500 people in France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and headquartered in the UK.
    InTechnology provides IT infrastructure solutions, products and services to business, through a network of value-added resellers, systems integrators and consultants.
    The company's offering unifies all areas of IT infrastructure to help organisations:

    -- Store data in the face of 100% year-on-year growth in data
    volumes

    -- Manage data for optimum business efficiency and reduced
    operational cost
    -- Protect data against ever increasing threats from
    malicious attack to data loss
    -- Network data to maximise network computing opportunities
    -- Liberate corporate data to maximise its value for the
    organisation

    More details about InTechnology (LSE, AIM: ITO) are available at www.intechnology.co.uk.

    About Network Engines

    Network Engines is a leading developer and manufacturer of security and storage appliances. The Company works with its software partners to develop storage and security networking appliances for mission critical applications. Network Engines is headquartered in Canton, Massachusetts and trades on the Nasdaq exchange under the symbol NENG. For more information about the company's products and services, visit www.networkengines.com.

    About Microsoft

    Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.

    Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements

    Statements in this press release regarding Network Engines' (the "Company") future financial performance and any other statements about Network Engines' management's future expectations, beliefs, goals, plans or prospects constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those stated or implied in forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including those factors contained in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended September 30, 2004 under the section "Factors That May Affect Future Operating Results" as well as other documents that may be filed by the Company from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements include statements regarding the Company's expectations, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future and can be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should," "will," and "would" or similar words. The Company assumes no obligations to update the information included in this press release.

    Network Engines and the Network Engines logo are trademarks of Network Engines, Inc. Microsoft and SharePoint are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries All other trademarks are the property of their respective holders.

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CONTACT: For Network Engines Joni Moore, 508-308-7900 joni.moore@networkengines.com or For Microsoft Microsoft Press Centre Tel: 0870 20 77377 or 0870 20 PRESS Fax: 0870 20 77329 or 0870 20 PRFAX ukprteam@microsoft.com http://press.microsoft.co.uk/ or For InTechnology Jo Brice or Edward Taylor, +44 20 7269 7246 jo.brice@fd.com or edward.taylor@fd.com

KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS UNITED KINGDOM INTERNATIONAL EUROPE INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE COMPUTERS/ELECTRONICS SOFTWARE INTERNET E-COMMERCE MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Network Engines

Copyright Business Wire 2005