News release

Compaq Delivers Simple IT Management with New Altiris eXpress Compaq Client Manager

Continuing to deliver on its promise to provide easy-to-use, innovative solutions that simplify the business of IT, Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ) today announced the jointly developed Altiris™eXpress™Compaq Client Manager, and the availability of an expanded suite of Altiris eXpress PC lifecycle management solutions for Windows-based access devices.

This expanded relationship makes Compaq the first OEM to co-develop a web-based PC management tool that increases the manageability of all Compaq access devices - from Evo desktop and notebook PCs to iPAQ Pocket PCs- to simplify day-to-day IT management. While Altiris software management solutions are built on an industry standard platform that supports all brands of PCs, the new Compaq Client Manager allows added manageability and increased information resources for customers using Compaq hardware.

"Compaq pioneered PC and server manageability for nearly a decade, and part of that success has come from a longstanding partnership with Altiris, a recognized expert in the development of cost-reducing PC management technologies," said Bob Brewer, vice president of Access Options and Solutions in Compaq's Access Business Group. "Compaq and Altiris have formed a strategic alliance designed to build on those strengths, delivering industry-leading IT management solutions that reduce the cost of owning Compaq desktops, servers, notebooks and handheld access devices."

"As a result of our strong relationship with Compaq, customers will now have a new level of client management resources not available with any other hardware," said Tyler Smith, vice president of marketing for Altiris. "For example, we have simplified the Compaq system software management process by automating the identification and delivery of Compaq system device drivers and ROM updates, proactively helping customers keep their Compaq systems up to date."

The Compaq Client Management Solution assists Compaq customers in the integration of hardware and software management functions, providing a total IT management solution from a single Web-based console. The solution offers full integration with Microsoft Systems Management Server (SMS) and data sharing with other third-party client management tools. The Web-based Compaq Client Management Solution also supports wireless infrastructures, which means customers can remotely manage their IT environments online from anywhere at any time - even from an iPAQ Pocket PC.

The jointly developed solution also provides automated notifications that allow customers to proactively respond to issues such as machines with thermal warnings, machines with memory errors, and memory alerts before they become a problem. Additional features include automatic email notification of changes in the environment, such as discovery of new PCs, missing PCs, "walking memory," and disk drives, as well as health checks and diagnostics.

The expanded Altiris eXpress solutions focus on four key areas of IT management, which include Deployment & Migration, Software & Operations Management, Inventory & Asset Management and Help Desk & Problem Resolution. Altiris eXpress solutions offer Compaq business customers an efficient and effective way to automate existing processes, identify problem areas within IT organizations, and provide solutions to help eliminate each of these problems. This reduces total cost of ownership of IT hardware and helps customers achieve quick return on investment.

In fact, recent Gartner Inc. findings on relative IT costs before and after an Altiris implementation have shown that the second-year return on investment in man-hours was estimated to be 86.4 percent, or 77.9 percent in actual costs.

"Using Altiris eXpress to manage our Compaq hardware, Pendergast's IT staff was able to cut total configuration time from four hours to just 45 minutes, saving more than three hours per PC," said John Moreno, MIS director of the Pendergast School District in Phoenix, Ariz. "The savings in labor costs amounted to more than $60,000."

Compaq understands that IT support is often limited and that IT requirements are varied. That's why Compaq provides a range of products and services through Altiris designed to meet the various and evolving needs of businesses of all sizes. Previously, Altiris solution offerings were standalone products that focused on a single task, such as deployment, migration or inventory. This new set of solutions is designed to work independently or in tandem with other Altiris eXpress applications so customers can mix and match the exact product to their needs and budgets, providing maximum return on investment.

The flexible new design of the solution allows customers to purchase one solution and then add others later, extending the console, database and server-client infrastructure as needed.

In addition, the new Altiris solutions are scalable, customizable to fit the small office or large enterprise customer.

The full array of Altiris eXpress IT management solutions include a variety of solutions and applications bundled in value-oriented suites, with some solutions available individually for maximum flexibility within a customer's IT environment. For more detailed information about the new solutions offerings from Altiris eXpress, visit www.altiris.com.

In addition, all Altiris eXpress solutions are backed by the award-winning service and support provided by Altiris- and Compaq-trained professionals who are ready to give customers an unparalleled depth of service and support at the local level. Around-the-clock telephone and online support are also available.

For more information on the Altiris eXpress Compaq Client Management Solution, contact a Compaq Authorized Reseller or visit the Compaq website at www.compaq.com/easydeploy. The web site includes a "Getting Started" guide that discusses requirements and how to install the various Altiris eXpress solutions. While all Compaq customers will have free access to the Compaq Client Management Solution when it becomes available in November, customers can also download 30-day, full-featured versions of all Altiris eXpress software for evaluation from this site.

Editor's Note: Please see related Altiris press announcement, "Altiris™Broadens and Extends eXpress™Platform to Include Management of New Device Types from a Single Console" at http://www.altiris.com/goto/compaq_announce1/.

Company Background

Founded in 1982, Compaq Computer Corporation ("Compaq") is a leading global provider of enterprise technology and solutions. Compaq designs, develops, manufactures and markets hardware, software, solutions and services, including industry-leading enterprise storage and computing solutions, fault-tolerant business-critical solutions, communication products, and desktop and portable personal computers that are sold in more than 200 countries. Information on Compaq and its products and services is available at http://www.compaq.com.