NEW YORK, April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Antepo, Inc. ( http://www.antepo.com/ ), a pioneer of secure, scalable Enterprise Instant Messaging (EIM) and Presence technology, today announced that it has formed an alliance with America Online, Inc., and has been named an AOL Enterprise Federation Program partner (EFP). The alliance brings direct connectivity between Antepo's OPN System(TM) and the global AOL(R) Messaging Network -- providing Antepo's enterprise customers with connectivity to the nation's largest public instant messaging (IM) network, including 14 million at-work users. OPN System enterprises can now seamlessly interact with worldwide customers and partners using the AOL(R) Instant Messenger(TM) (AIM(R)) and ICQ(R) services, as well as Netscape(R) and Apple(R) iChat(R) users. Antepo's OPN System ensures that corporate requirements for security, policy enforcement, and compliance are met.

"The AIM service, along with AOL's suite of messaging services, are the most widely used tools for instant messaging in the enterprise, utilized by millions of at-work users to facilitate critical communications and make important business decisions each day. As companies migrate to a behind-the- firewall, enterprise-grade infrastructure for Presence-enabled communications, they need to maintain connectivity with existing communication channels such as the AOL service," said Maxime Seguineau, Chairman and CEO of Antepo. "This alliance ensures that corporate users can continue to benefit from the business-critical features, reliability, and security of an enterprise-grade solution offered by OPN System, while maintaining uninterrupted access to AOL's leading messaging network."

Through its alliance with America Online, Antepo will allow behind-the- firewall OPN System users to interact with their AIM contacts with enterprise- level security and reliability, without disrupting existing business processes or IT policies. Previously, this could only be accomplished by purchasing and installing third-party IM management software. Now, enterprise users can access business contacts on the global AOL Messaging Network, establish their presence and availability, initiate a direct chat, and more -- all from directly within the OPN System Client. At the same time, critical operations such as user authentication, identity management, and message logging and archiving take place behind the firewall to ensure that enterprises continue to address all necessary compliance and security requirements. No additional desktop software is needed. And, because OPN System supports both XMPP and SIP/SIMPLE standard-based protocols, enterprises still have the flexibility to adapt or extend their networks to endure within an ever-evolving IT landscape.

"As a leading instant messaging service provider, we are committed to offering our at-work users best-of-breed alternatives. We view the OPN System as a top-tier enterprise IM solution and are pleased to join forces with Antepo," said Brian Curry, vice president, Premium and Subscription Services, America Online, Inc. "The strength of the OPN System as a ubiquitous EIM platform, and Antepo's continued commitment to an open, non-disruptive deployment approach, are a great fit for the AIM service and the AOL Messaging Network."

"It's a given that companies need to communicate beyond the firewall with partners, suppliers, and customers," noted Jonathan B. Spira, CEO and chief analyst at Basex, a research firm that focuses on Collaborative Business Environments. "With the addition of connectivity to the AOL Messaging Network, solutions such as the OPN system are becoming more and more important, as they allow these organizations to locate people and resources when needed -- regardless of time or place."

Antepo currently has live customers in the Beta phase of its AOL federation rollout, and will begin shipping OPN System exclusively with built- in, licensed AOL connectivity this summer. For more information on Antepo's participation in AOL's EFP program, visit http://www.antepo.com/ .

About Antepo

Antepo provides secure, scalable Enterprise Instant Messaging (EIM) and Presence capabilities to enterprises, carriers, developers, and SMBs through its innovative Open Presence Network (OPN) System(TM). OPN System enables real-time communication and collaboration between employees, customers, suppliers, and partners, while meeting critical requirements for control, security, integration, and compliance. It is also the only EIM solution to support connectivity and server federation across both industry-standard protocols (XMPP and SIP/SIMPLE). Antepo is a FIMA (Financial Services Instant Messaging Association) affiliated vendor, with financial, telecom, healthcare, retail, and other clients worldwide. For more information, visit http://www.antepo.com/ .

All brands and names mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective holders.

CONTACT: Kevin McLaughlin of Antepo, +1-877-505-2258 x902, or
kmclaughlin@publicipartners.com

Web site: http://www.antepo.com/