Business Services Industry

Matsushita Electric Works Information Systems is Named Master Distributor for Ardence Software-Streaming Platform in Japan

Business Wire, Oct 13, 2006

WALTHAM, Mass. -- Ardence Inc., the leader in developing software platforms for the on-demand world, today announced that Matsushita Electric Works Information Systems Co., Ltd. (MEW-IS), a major systems integration and outsourcing service provider, is the sole Master Distributor for Ardence Software-Streaming Platform products in Japan.

In announcing the partnership, both Ardence and MEW-IS said there is growing demand in the Japanese market for desktop and data center solutions that deliver the capabilities and functionality of the Ardence Software-Streaming Platform. The companies said the partnership will accelerate the deployment of Ardence-enabled solutions in the Japanese market, which has been an early adopter of Ardence technology.

MEW-IS, which is headquartered in Osaka, will develop a network of sub-Distributors and Solution Providers - resellers and systems integrators - for Ardence Platform products throughout Japan. MEW-IS will exhibit the Ardence Software-Streaming Platform at its Business Solution EXPO in Tokyo on October 19-20, 2006.

The Ardence Software-Streaming Platform enables on-demand delivery of both operating systems and applications from networked storage. Ardence software provides significant economic benefits and productivity gains on the desktop and in the data center by centralizing IT management and increasing security, reliability and manageability. Ardence Platform products are deployed globally, with significant penetration in Japan's higher-education market.

MEW-IS said Ardence products will enable it to increase sales to universities and professional schools and added that their initiatives will be expanded to include the elementary, junior high, and high school market, which is a good candidate for Ardence-enabled solutions. Call centers and design offices will also be targeted and MEW-IS said it will explore data center opportunities.

"We recognize that in Ardence's global strategy the Japanese market is very important. As Ardence's Master Distributor, MEW-IS will build up the sales channels and will strongly move forward in expanding Ardence's presence in the Japanese market not only in the educational area but also in private companies. Ardence is an excellent partner for MEW-IS and working closely together we will make a great deal of progress. We promise it," said Takeyoshi Kawamura, President, MEW-IS.

Richard J. Davis, Ardence Chairman, CEO and President, said, "When we first brought our software-streaming products to market, Japan's educational institutions were among our early-adopter customers. Since then, we have had steady growth and success in Japan, which is a strategically important market for us. We're pleased that Matsushita Electric Works, Ltd. recognizes the value that the Ardence Platform adds to desktop and data center solutions in the enterprise and we welcome them as our sole Master Distributor in Japan. We believe that MEW-IS' experience and excellent reputation in the market will lead to much wider deployment of Ardence in Japan and we look forward to a successful, long-term partnership."

About Ardence (www.Ardence.com):

Ardence, Inc. is the global leader in developing secure, scalable, on-demand software platforms for deployment on desktops, in data centers and in devices throughout the enterprise. Founded in 1980, Ardence is headquartered in Waltham, Massachusetts, and operates across North America, Europe, and Asia.

About MEW-IS:

Matsushita Electric Works Information Systems Co., Ltd. was established by detachment of the information systems division of Matsushita Electric Works in February 1999. It owns a dedicated computer building (IDC) and has a nationwide network of more than 2,000 locations built around its ultra high-speed network linking Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Besides this infrastructure, its key assets are its deep store of experience and know-how accumulated over many years in the field of information system and network construction and operation. It draws on these strengths to accommodate diverse customer wants and needs in everything from large-scale systems to package software. Thin client systems have been one of its priority businesses right from its founding. Its strength in this field rests on its extensive record of shipment to all kinds of customers and the know-how accumulated thereby.

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