Press Release

devolo is well positioned for Christmas business

Aachen, November 6, 2002—Agreements with leading distributors in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland ensure that the products from devolo AG of Aachen, Germany will be available from retail outlets everywhere for the coming Christmas season’s business. The Elsa-successor is also starting its own program for specialist resellers.

The full range of devolo products—be it ADSL modems, LAN products for home networking and small offices, or analogue modems—is available now from several distribution channels. “We have been very successful in our search for sales partners; we now have standing agreements with all of the leading distributors,“ says a satisfied Heiko Harbers, CEO of devolo AG. The different sales channels are now very well catered for.

Along with the broadliners Ingram Micro, Tech Data and the Actebis Holding, the Wortmann AG with their 5500 resellers, and the COS Distribution AG based in Lower Saxony’s Linden count to devolo’s direct sales partners. In addition, Switzerland and Austria are covered by contracts with the Asendis AG and the Darius Handels GmbH. “A host of distributors approached us because they wanted to offer their customers the tried-and-trusted MicroLink modems”, reports devolo’s Harbers. This was because the company formed in May 2001 by former employees of the insolvent Elsa AG has taken over the brand name and all products rights for “MicroLink” modems and networking products.

Attractively designed, easy to operate and featuring comprehensive software accessories including communications software, klickWeb, Personal Firewall, Virus Scanner and 0190 Dialler protection, the devolo products pick up on the success of MicroLink modems where Elsa left off. MicroLink modems are Europe’s top selling Internet access devices with overall sales of 15 million units. “The distribution agreements ensure that our products will be on the shelves in retail outlets in good time for Christmas business”, emphasised Heiko Harbers.

The company will also be starting a specialist reseller program to ensure the best possible support in this area too. Registered resellers will be supported with technical documents, dedicated hotline support and sales-promotion materials. Campaigns such as prize competitions, discount systems, low-priced product samples and an online newsletter count to the measures designed to assist sales partners.

Further information and photographs are available from www.devolo.de or personally from the press contact below.

devolo AG was founded in May 2002 by former employees of the now insolvent Elsa AG in Aachen, Germany. devolo has taken over the know-how from the Elsa AG along with the brand names and product rights for “MicroLink” and “Vianect”. 20 years of experience in developing data communications solutions is the basis for a broad spectrum of high-quality products. The current range includes analog modems, DSL modems and networking products for private consumers and professional users. The several years of experience that our employees possess enables even a young company like devolo AG to assure the quality of its products right from the start. The in-house research and development team ensures a constant flow of innovations and the fast reaction to demands arising from the market.

Christoph Rösseler
Sonnenweg 11
52070 Aachen
Germany
Tel: +49(0)241-18279-64
Fax: +49(0)241-18279-99
E-Mail: presse@devolo.de