Hello Direct to Be Strategic Product and Information Provider To Smalloffice.com Online Telephony Ministore - Company Business and Marketing

Edge: Work-Group Computing Report, Nov 15, 1999

Hello Direct Inc., the leading developer and direct marketer of desktop telephony and equipment interface products, and the leading online source of telecommunications information, products and services, Friday announced that it has been chosen to be the exclusive equipment and information provider for the online Telephony Ministore recently launched by smalloffice.com at http://static.hellodirect.net/index-smalloffice.htm . smalloffice.com is a leading provider of online information, news and support for the small business market.

This agreement marks a further step in the expansion of Hello Direct's e-commerce alliance partner program, which allows consumers easy access to the Company's products and services through partnerships with leading e-commerce and content providers. Hello Direct's alliance partners linked to this marketplace now number 500.

"We are very pleased to add smalloffice.com to our affiliate program, and to be providing telephony equipment and services through their excellent website," said Brian McConnell, Hello Direct's e-commerce director. "This partnership allows us to further build upon our profitable and rapidly growing online sales efforts, and to bring valuable service to an ever larger customer base."

Visitors to the smalloffice.com site will find Hello Direct's products and information featured in the Telephony Ministore, a minisite linked to the smalloffice.com homepage. The Ministore features a regularly updated assortment of products, tutorials and articles, as well as access to the entire Hello Direct product line through Hello Direct's own website.

"smalloffice.com is delighted to offer Hello Direct's handpicked small business solutions," said Charles Ward of smalloffice.com. "smalloffice.com is adding ecommerce services to the news, community and product information it has offered its small business users. Since our goal is to deliver best solutions for our audience, we are particularly pleased that Hello Direct thoroughly tests all products before adding them to their online store."

Hello Direct, Inc. is the leading developer and direct marketer of desktop telephony and equipment interface solutions, including headsets, teleconferencing, wireless, digital adapters, and related desktop products. Through a combination of distinctive catalogs, outbound telemarketing and Internet sales channels, the company offers a broad selection of commercial grade products and information which provide solutions to its customers' evolving communications needs. FMI: www.hellodirect.com.

Based in Malibu, Calif., smalloffice.com (http://www.smalloffice.com) is a resource destination for small businesses and home office professionals, providing a wide variety of information on technology, communications, and e-commerce solutions. smalloffice.com draws its content from sources such as Home Office Computing and Small Business Computing and Communications, and provides value-added resources like the online community chat group Small Talk.