Voda One Partners with Extreme Networks to Provide Enhanced Convergenc

    Business Editors/Technology Editors

    TARRYTOWN, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 21, 2005--

    - Specialty Distributor will Provide Design and Implementation Assistance and Dealer Preparedness Training Program for its Solution
    Provider Customers -

    Voda One, a specialty distributor of networking and communications products and a division of the global Westcon Group, Inc., announced that its portfolio now includes switching solutions from Extreme Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq: EXTR). Voda One offers solution providers new levels of interoperability, increased performance and reduced deployment costs on converged and wireless network installations.
    Voda One is distributing the full range of Extreme Networks' convergence solutions, including Avaya's IP-based Communication Manager applications, media gateways and servers, and Extreme Networks' Ethernet switching platforms that include the BlackDiamond(R) and Alpine(R) chassis-type switch families with integrated Layer 3 data switching and routing capabilities. Voda One is also distributing Extreme Networks' Access-enabled wired and wireless switches, including the Summit(R) 300 and Altitude 300(TM) wireless access points. These products enable enterprises to simplify the installation and operation of wired and wireless applications with a unified infrastructure.
    Extreme Networks and Avaya jointly develop and market network and communication solutions that accelerate the adoption of converged infrastructures by customers, including IP telephony, advanced contact centers, IP messaging, systems management and unified communications. The Avaya-Extreme Networks IP telephony solution integrates with existing circuit switched infrastructure, allowing enterprises to protect investments while building out new network segments with integrated VoIP.
    "The Avaya-Extreme solution represents a real win for Voda One's reseller customers," said Anthony Daley, senior vice president and general manager, the Americas, Westcon Group North America. "With this solution, we are able to drive next generation IP networks to new levels of interoperability while reducing costs and increasing network security. By helping our solution providers demonstrate a greater ROI to their end-user customers, we plan to increase their opportunity for these kinds of networks."
    Voda One will provide pre-and post sales assistance in designing and implementing next generation IP solutions that combine Avaya and Extreme Networks products, such as Avaya gateways and edge devices and Extreme Networks solutions. Voda One will also be launching a dealer preparedness training program for its solution provider customers who wish to become certified to resell Extreme and Avaya solutions.
    Dan Sibille, director of Americas Channel Sales for Extreme Networks, commented: "We are partnering with Voda One because of its highly defined customer base which centers on convergence, security and other complex, emerging technologies. With its broad training and professional services capabilities, a highly complementary product portfolio and a demonstrated success with Avaya's products, Voda One plays a key role enabling us to broaden our convergence reseller base."
    Jerry Verzino, senior account executive at NW Comm, Inc., a Marshfield, MA-based solution provider, added: "Voda One is increasing our ability to deliver convergence systems smoothly to enterprise customers. They are creating a single source from which we can obtain best-of-breed product solutions, in this case the Avaya-Extreme solution, certified training and implementation support."

    About Voda One

    Voda One is a division of Westcon Group, Inc. and a specialty distributor of voice, data and video-integrated technology products and solutions. The division is a significant sales channel for Avaya and other manufacturers, offering products and services for convergence technology, telephony, IP-based communications, call center technology, Internet messaging, virtual private networks and wireless connectivity. Voda One provides a breadth of training programs, technical support and logistics services to complement its solution portfolio. For more information, visit www.vodaone.com.

    About Extreme Networks, Inc.

    Extreme Networks is a leader in open converged networks. Its innovative network architecture provides enterprises and metro service providers with the resiliency, adaptability and simplicity required for a true converged network that supports voice, video and data, over a wired and wireless infrastructure, while delivering high-performance and advanced security features. For more information, please visit www.extremenetworks.com

    Extreme Networks, BlackDiamond, Alpine, Altitude, and Summit are either trademarks or registered trademarks of Extreme Networks, Inc. in the United States and/or other countries.

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CONTACT: Westcon Group, Inc. Jeffrey Touzeau, 914-829-7388 jtouzeau@westcongroup.com Jenny Pappas, 914-829-7196 jpappas@westcongroup.com

KEYWORD: NEW YORK INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE SOFTWARE TELECOMMUNICATIONS NETWORKING MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Voda One

Copyright Business Wire 2005