NEC Designates SpikeSource as its Strategic Global Open Source Solution Provider

NEC Designates SpikeSource as its Strategic Global Open Source Solution Provider

October 03, 2006

NEC Makes Strategic Investment in SpikeSource to Bring Open
Source Infrastructure and Solutions Software on NEC Hardware
for the First Time

    REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and TOKYO, Oct. 3
/Xinhua-PRNewswire/ -- SpikeSource, a provider of open
source solutions, and NEC (Nasdaq: NIPNY), today announced
a strategic agreement to deliver SpikeSource certified open
source infrastructure and solutions software on the NEC
server hardware.  This marks the first time NEC is bundling
open source infrastructure and solutions software on their
hardware.  The agreement is significant because it
designates SpikeSource as NEC's strategic global open
source solution provider.

    SpikeSource delivers open source applications and
infrastructure software via a global market of solution
providers. By becoming NEC's strategic global open source
solution provider, SpikeSource will extend its application
portfolio in Japan and other regions to support NEC
customer requirements.  NEC will refer Independent Software
Vendors (ISVs) to SpikeSource for inclusion on the Spike(TM)
Ignite infrastructure platform.  NEC will deliver
SpikeSource infrastructure software on the NEC Express5800
Server product along with additional open source software
solutions that will be included on the platform.

    "We look forward to offering our customers
comprehensive hardware and software solutions through our
partnership with SpikeSource.  They have developed
world-class solutions for small and large businesses and
are a perfect fit for the NEC Express5800 Server
platform," said Toshihiko Takahashi, NEC Executive
Vice President.

    NEC is a global leader in server and desktop computing
systems with a global network of channel partners.  By
collaborating with SpikeSource, NEC will now be able to
offer its network of channel partners a hardware platform
complete with open source infrastructure and application
software that has been tested and updated by SpikeSource.

    "SpikeSource is passionate about bringing low-cost
solutions to enterprises of all sizes with our channel
partners," said Kim Polese, CEO of SpikeSource. 
"As we open up new global markets for open source
software, we are pleased to be doing so with NEC."

    NEC contributed to SpikeSource's Series B round of
funding that closed in September 2006 and resulted in a
total US $24 million.  Other investors included Kleiner
Perkins Caufield and Byers, Fidelity Investments, Intel
Capital, Omidyar Network, CMEA Ventures and Duff Ackerman
Goodrich. The funding will support continued investment in
solutions and expansion of channels across the globe.

    About SpikeSource
    SpikeSource is a software company which distributes,
integrates, manages and supports open source applications
to enterprises through trusted solution providers. 
SpikeSource integrates applications with the right
components and then builds, tests and distributes these
open source solutions on an automated test framework with
over 100,000 daily tests.  By testing and certifying open
source applications, SpikeSource offers a portfolio of
SpikeCertified and SpikeIgnited solutions for enterprises
that may not have deployed open source before.  These
solutions are delivered with a comprehensive update and
support service called Spike(TM) Net.  Through
SpikeSource's trusted solution providers, companies can be
assured that the applications have been deployed and
customized for their unique business requirements.  For a
list of SpikeSource solution providers, visit
www.spikesource.com .

    About NEC Corporation 
    NEC Corporation is one of the world's leading providers
of Internet,¡@ broadband network and enterprise business
solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its
diverse and global base of customers.  NEC delivers tailored
solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and
electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in
IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor
solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation.  The NEC
Group employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and had
net sales of approximately 4,825 billion yen (approx. $41.2
billion) in the fiscal year ended March 2006. 

    For additional information, please visit the NEC home
page at: http://www.nec.com
    * Newsroom: http://www.nec.co.jp/press/en/

    CONTACT:  

    Japan
    NEC Corporation
     Public Relations
     Yasuhito Jochi 
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

    Sparkpr
     Melissa Shapiro
     Tel:   [phone]
     Email: [e-mail]

SOURCE  SpikeSource, Inc.