Natural MicroSystems Signs S.A.S. Group of Hong Kong to Expand Distribution in Asia; New Channel Partner Delivers Marketing, Custom Integration, Technical Support

Business Wire, Feb 21, 2001

Business/Technology Editors

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Feb. 21, 2001

Natural MicroSystems (NASDAQ: NMSS), the technology leader enabling a new era of communications, today announced an agreement with S.A.S. Group to expand NMS' distribution channels in Asia. The agreement establishes S.A.S. Group of Hong Kong as an alternate source for the delivery of NMS' next-generation communications hardware and software platforms.

In addition to marketing NMS products to communications solution developers and service providers in Hong Kong and Taiwan, S.A.S. Group will also provide technical support and offer custom integration services to its customers in the region.

"S.A.S is a reputable listed company in Hong Kong with a wealth of experience in the telecommunications components distribution business. The company has successfully operated in the region for two decades, which brings us a proven partner ready to serve the needs of this dynamic market," said Bob Schechter, President and CEO of NMS. "In this critical role, S.A.S. will help NMS continue to grow by acting as an extension to our sales, support and operations groups, and providing best-in-class service and support to our customers in North Asia."

"As the first channel partner in Asia, we are excited to provide NMS customers with a full range of services. We are committed to supplying the telephony community with tools and services for rapid product introduction," said Stanley Yim, Chairman of the S.A.S. Group. "By using NMS' state-of-the-art technology, customers can shorten time-to-market, leverage development resources, and offer truly innovative applications in today's competitive market"

About Natural MicroSystems

Natural MicroSystems (NASDAQ: NMSS) is the technology leader supplying the world's major networking and communication equipment suppliers with the products and services required to create communications infrastructure, applications, and services faster and at lower costs than ever before. The Framingham, MA-based company designs, develops and supplies network-quality hardware and software, and provides design and customization services. These enable the highly reliable and effective creation, delivery and transport of voice and data, services and applications on next-generation public and enterprise network infrastructure.

Deployed in more than 65 countries, NMS' products and technologies are at the foundation of today's high-value communications systems and wireless and wireline networks, including enhanced service platforms for packet and circuit networks; access gateways for voice-over-IP (VoIP), voice-over-DSL (VoDSL) and voice-over-Wireless Local Loop (VoWLL); IP media servers; voice portals and Web-talk applications; virtual personal assistants; and eCRM. The company also provides platform solutions for converged applications in packet networks, enabling carriers and service providers to deliver differentiated services quickly and cost effectively -- with guaranteed levels of quality and service.

NMS has a long history of technology innovations that advance the rapid growth of the communications industry worldwide, including breakthroughs such as the first complete open IP gateway, the first complete open packet media server and leadership in bringing open, scalable CompactPCI to the telecommunications industry. More information about NMS is available at http://www.nmss.com.

Natural MicroSystems is a trademark of Natural MicroSystems Corporation. All other company or product names mentioned may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies.

About SAS Dragon Holdings Limited

Established in 1981, and listed in the Hong Kong Stock Exchange in 1994, SAS Dragon Holdings Limited has become a leading components distribution company in Asia. The range of components that the company distributes encompasses products like computers, telecom equipment, information appliance, audio-video, consumer and digital consumer industry.

With the aim to provide total solution service in order to strengthen its support to customers and suppliers, SAS Group has expanded to comprise more than ten trading and manufacturing companies and has diversified into the distribution of telecommunications products in 1986. In the past twenty years, the group has successfully obtained the distribution rights of products for renowned companies including UMC, Lucent Technologies and National Semiconductor. Its major distribution markets are Hong Kong, the PRC and Taiwan.