Data Communications editors name ISOCOR`s MetaConnect a winner in the 1999 Hot Products Awards

The editors of Data Communications scoured the industry for the best and brightest networking technology products and services. After months of rigorous research, the editors selected 50 winners each boasting a key technology differentiator that sets them apart from the competition and results in clear and quantifiable financial benefits (e.g., increases productivity, cuts administrative costs, prevents theft, etc.).

Winners were selected in the following categories: IP Tools, Internetworking, WAN Services, Network Software, WAN Gear, Security, Network Management/Analysis, LAN Gear and Carrier-Class Equipment.

As corporations continue to grow into global entities, their information networks and data resources have grown exponentially. According to a report from Forrester Research, Inc., the average Fortune 1,000 company had 181 different directories last year, including network databases, internal and external email lists, human resource systems, telephone extensions and others. Maintaining these directories has been exceedingly difficult and expensive. They also raise security issues, as removing personnel and vendors is not a simple or timely task.

According to Network World magazine, 1999 is "The Year of the Meta-directory." The need for a unified directory infrastructure is essential for organizations that desire a leadership position in the global electronic economy. "ISOCOR`s MetaConnect family of products is the first solution that delivers the full meta-directory functionality necessary to compete in the e-commerce arena," said ISOCOR President and CEO Paul Gigg. "With business to business electronic commerce expected to grow to more than US$200 billion by 2001, meta-directory solutions will be a differentiating factor between success and failure for many companies."

"The need for enterprise directory integration has escalated," said Dan Blum, analyst with The Burton Group. "ISOCOR`s MetaConnect allows companies to enhance a directory of their choice and offers `true` join capabilities." The HOT PRODUCTS award is a significant endorsement of a new product or service`s `promise` in terms of the technological advancement or enhancements it intends to provide to networking professionals," according to Data Communications editor in chief, Lee Keough. "This year we identified more than 50 HOT PRODUCTS - from 40 a year ago, which indicates that vendors are getting better at designing technology that meets a clearly defined need or business case."