Network General and I-NET to deliver industry leading fault and performance management solutions; Network General expands distribution into government market; I-NET chosen as expert solutions provider and agent to carry products as GSA reseller

Business Wire, April 1, 1996

FOSE, Washington--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 1, 1996--Network General Corporation (NASDAQ:NETG), a leading network fault and performance management solutions provider, and I-NET Inc., a leading systems integrator for federal and commercial markets, today announced an agreement under which I-NET becomes a Network General Expert Solutions Provider adding Network General's entire line of industry-leading products and services to I-NET's existing General Services Administration (GSA) schedule.

This relationship extends Network General's presence in the channel while enabling federal customers to purchase their networking components locally and from an external source.

"This relationship is significant for Network General because it's the first time we're allowing agents to carry our products on their GSA schedules," commented John Stringer, vice president of North American Sales at Network General.

"The benefit to GSA customers is that this agreement allows them to purchase our network management products and services through an additional source while ensuring they receive the same high quality of service and support they expect from Network General. I-NET's expertise in handling GSA contracts was particularly attractive."

Effective April 1, this agreement establishes I-NET as an authorized Network General reseller targeting GSA customers, federal customers purchasing outside the GSA schedule, as well as the commercial market.

"Network General's products enhance our existing offerings and allow us to ensure constant network availability for our customers," said Lee Watenpaugh, vice president of Network Products at I-NET.

"The addition of Network General technology provides a key element for a total network solution and a business that provides a total solution has a definite competitive edge over a business that provides only part of the picture."

Growing Market Demand for Network Management

The market for network monitoring and analysis systems is being driven by increased network size and complexity. As a result, network visibility is becoming more critical, fueling corporate budgets for network fault and performance management.

According to Stringer, "Network General is well-positioned to benefit from the growing demand for network management products and so will our resellers. Our goal is to select partners carefully so as to minimize competition and conflict as well as to maintain the high quality of service that customers have come to expect from NGC."

The Expert Solutions Providers Program

The Expert Solutions Providers Program (ESP) has been designed to provide all the support and assistance required to successfully market and sell Network General products, including a Reseller Starter Kit. A key differentiator for this program, the Reseller Starter Kit contains materials valued at approximately $40,000 but will be available to ESPs for $5,500.

The package includes fully functional demos of five top-selling Network General products, a starter pack of sales support tools, plus five days of Sniffer University education and ongoing technical and sales training.

In addition to the starter kit, ESPs will also have access to dedicated channel representatives, field sales support, special pricing and volume discounts, corporate and channel marketing support and pre-sales technical support. An 800-number, World Wide Web access and a monthly channel newsletter will help maintain effective communications.

For more information about the Network General reseller program, please contact Network General at 415/473-2068.

About I-NET

I-NET, headquartered in Bethesda, MD, with over 3,000 employees and 55 offices worldwide, is a recognized leader in network integration. It provides a wide range of network-based computing services to the D.O.D., civilian government agencies and some of the largest commercial organizations in the world.

I-NET has a high level of expertise in handling GSA contracts and, in just four years, has become the third largest GSA reseller in the business.

About Network General

Network General Corporation (NASDAQ:NETG) is a leading provider of fault and performance management solutions for enterprise networks worldwide.

Founded in 1986, the company has extensive experience in complex heterogeneous network environments and offers a comprehensive suite of products and services designed to provide total network visibility. Worldwide headquarters are located at 4500 Bohannon Drive, Menlo Park, Calif., 94025. URL: http://www.ngc.com; Telephone: 415/473-2000, or 800/SNIFFER (764-3337). -0-

Note to Editors: Network General and Sniffer are registered trademarks of Network General Corporation. Experience Technology is a trademark of Network General Corporation. All other companies, products and brands as they appear in this release are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. All specifications may be changed without notice.

CONTACT: Network General

Nancy Genovese, 415/473-2914

nancyg@ngc.com

or

I-NET

Lee Watenpaugh, 301/214-0900