Sprint and ZLand Agree to Develop Network Operations Center; Center Will Reduce the Cost of Deploying Web-Based Applications

Business Wire, May 21, 2001

Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

COSTA MESA, CALIF.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 21, 2001

Further demonstrating its dedication to enabling E-business and helping software companies achieve differentiation through quality-of-service, Sprint (NYSE:FON)(NYSE:PCS), today announced that ZLand Inc. has joined the ranks of the Sprint Enabling ASP (E-ASP) program.

Sprint E-Solutions and ZLand will build a network operations center to host ZLand's suite of Internet-based business applications. When completed, the state-of-the-art facility will provide ZLand customers with access, transport and collocation services backed by Sprint's industry-leading service level agreements for network availability and performance. The blending of Sprint and ZLand technology will substantially reduce the cost of deploying Web-based applications for an estimated 9.5 million U.S. small- to mid-sized businesses.

"As an applications enabler that is helping companies solve their business challenges, Sprint provides customized solutions to meet our customers' unique needs on a global basis, including E-commerce, sales force automation and customer relationship management," said Keith Paglusch, president, Sprint E-Solutions. "The mix of Sprint's customized and scalable network solutions, and ZLand's Internet-based applications, provides businesses services that go above and beyond traditional ASP service levels and provide customers significant cost savings."

Under the agreement, ZLand and Sprint also will engage in co-marketing programs to promote a blending of ZLand's Web-based applications and Sprint's transport products and services nationwide. As part of Sprint's innovative program, ZLand will receive sales support from Sprint's E-business Solutions Managers (EBSMs) to co-market these services to prospects, including Sprint's existing customer base.

ZLand's enterprise wide solution suite includes turnkey applications that are designed to meet the needs of small- and medium-sized businesses by enabling them to utilize the power of the Internet to perform daily business functions at substantially reduced costs. ZLand's product suite of more than 160 applications and value-enhancing services helps companies increase sales, improve customer satisfaction, reduce costs and streamline operations without the need for additional hardware or IT resources.

"The Sprint/ZLand mix of solutions is extremely powerful. Together, we can offer affordable solutions to the smallest of companies that are scalable up to the largest of companies," said John Veenstra, chairman and CEO, ZLand. "ZLand's powerful database application along with Sprint's services will allow customers to experience the lasting benefit of truly sophisticated Internet functionality."

ZLand will enable applications to be installed in 20 minutes and be maintained by customers as part of their daily operations, all for as little as $100 per month. The economic benefit of these combined services should drastically increase the customer's ability to maintain a competitive advantage in the marketplace.

The Sprint Enabling ASP program allows ASPs, ISVs, xSPs, and other E-Business solutions providers to benefit from Sprint's marketing expertise and sales reach while achieving differentiation through quality of service by leveraging Sprint's stable host and transport environments to house and deliver solutions to their customers.

About Sprint

Sprint is a world-class global communications company -- at the forefront of integrating wireline and wireless communications services. Sprint is a large carrier of Internet traffic and a leader in broadband communications. The company built and operates the United States' first nationwide all-digital, fiber-optic network and provides a portfolio of advanced data communications services.

It operates the largest 100-percent digital, 100-percent nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States, already serving the majority of the nation's metropolitan areas including more than 4,000 cities and communities across the country. Sprint has $23 billion in annual revenues and serves more than 23 million business and residential customers.

For more information about Sprint E-Solutions' complete portfolio of products and professional services, visit www.sprintesolutions.com.

About ZLand Inc.

ZLand has headquarters in Costa Mesa, and offers proprietary Internet software solutions that enable small- and mid-sized companies to take their businesses online, conduct commerce over the Web, and automate their daily operations using the Internet. ZLand distributes its integrated suite of software and services through a growing franchise network of local e-business consultants and national OEM licensees to telephone companies and ISPs in North America, Europe and the Middle East. For more information about ZLand, visit the ZLand corporate Web site at www.zland.com or call 866/682-0933.