Quest Consolidator Version 5.0 Features New Storage Actions Functionality for Ongoing Data Management; Quest Consolidator Also Complements New Microsoft Data Protection Server

Business Wire, Sept 20, 2004

CHICAGO -- Quest Software Inc. (Nasdaq:QSFT), a leading provider of application, database and Windows management solutions, today announced at Storage Decisions version 5.0 of its Quest Consolidator product for data storage management and server consolidation. Consolidator 5.0 features Quest's new Storage Actions, designed for proactive network data management. Consolidator will also be an ideal addition to Microsoft Data Protection Server (DPS), a new member of the Windows Server System, announced today by Microsoft. Microsoft Data Protection Server will provide continuous, disk-based backup and rapid, reliable data recovery taking advantage of the inherent manageability of the Windows platform. Quest Software is exhibiting in the Microsoft Partner Pavilion at the Storage Decisions Conference.

Quest's Storage Actions allow administrators to schedule data management tasks that automate the deletion, movement and archiving of network data based on administrator-defined criteria. Examples of this include automatically applying attributes such as "compress" for more efficient storage management, or "read only" to ensure a file will not be changed. Storage Actions also permits the scheduling of Consolidator's data exclusion options for identifying and dealing with "junk" data, such as MP3 files.

"Good storage management begins with server consolidation, but many people don't realize it involves a lot more than just copying data," said Brenda Steinsky, product manager, Quest Software. "Migrating data is the easy part. Maintaining access to that data, analyzing disk usage, maintaining correct permissions and rationalizing the data -- those issues are at the heart of good data lifecycle management. The ever-increasing volume of network data must be effectively and efficiently managed, and that need is what Quest Consolidator and Microsoft DPS both address."

Organizations implementing Microsoft Data Protection Server will find Quest Consolidator helpful in several specific ways, including:

--Consolidator's Storage Analyzer feature can identify the critical files that should be stored on the DPS.

--Consolidator's Storage Analyzer can also be used for ongoing assessment of what types of files are on the DPS and to proactively plan capacity increases.

"Customers tell us that their exponential growth of data will eventually make backup and recovery too expensive and complex," said Ben Matheson, senior product manager, Windows Server Division at Microsoft Corp. "Microsoft is pleased to be working with Quest to help customers reduce the cost and complexity of backup and recovery planning, helping IT administrators focus on aligning IT with business goals."

Pricing and Availability

Pricing for Quest Consolidator 5.0 starts at $995 U.S. per source and target server, with volume discounts available. For more information and to download the software, visit http://wm.quest.com/products/consolidator.> About Quest Windows Management

Quest Software, now including the people and products of Aelita Software, provides solutions that simplify, automate and secure Active Directory, Exchange and Windows environments. The Quest Windows Management group delivers comprehensive capabilities for secure Windows management and migration. Quest has been honored as Microsoft's FY04 Global Independent Software Vendor Partner of the Year. For more information on Quest Software's Windows Management group, please visit http://www.quest.com/microsoft.> About Quest Software, Inc.

Quest Software, Inc. provides software to simplify IT management for 18,000 customers worldwide, including 75 percent of the Fortune 500. Quest products for application, database and Windows management help customers develop, deploy, manage and maintain the IT enterprise without expensive downtime or business interruption. Headquartered in Irvine, Calif., Quest Software can be found in offices around the globe and at www.quest.com.

Quest and Quest Software are registered trademarks of Quest Software, Inc. The Quest Software logo and all other Quest Software product or service names and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of Quest Software, Inc. Microsoft, Windows, Exchange and Active Directory are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.