Vixel Chooses Ingram Micro as New Distributor; World's Largest Wholesale Provider of Technology Products and Services Expands SAN Initiative through Agreement with Vixel BOTHELL, Wash., Nov 2, 1999 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Vixel Corporation (Nasdaq:VIXL) today announced Ingram Micro (NYSE:IM), the world's largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, will begin distributing Vixel's broad array of Fibre Channel interconnect products. Through this agreement, more Value Added Resellers (VARs) and systems integrators will have greater access to Vixel's hubs, switches, transceivers and management software. Vixel is the first Storage Area Network (SAN) vendor with a comprehensive interconnect portfolio to sign on with Ingram Micro. As customers' storage requirements grow at an increasing pace, management of storage becomes critical. Increased availability to Vixel's cutting-edge products enables VARs and integrators to more efficiently implement and support SAN solutions to a variety of data-intensive industries, including organizations deploying high-performance e-commerce, multi-media and backup systems. The entire Vixel product line is designed for flexible, scalable implementations of SANs, delivering a reliable, interoperable solution to address customers' management of mission critical applications. "By partnering with Vixel, Ingram Micro is poised to take full advantage of the booming SAN market," said Tim Jeffries, vice president and general manager for Ingram Micro's storage and components division. "The underlying rationale of our decision to team with Vixel is their ability to provide each of the critical components within the SAN interconnect, including proactive management software to speed SAN deployment and maximize uptime." The partnership between Vixel and Ingram Micro augments Vixel's ability to meet the increasing demand for SAN solutions. Ingram Micro is recognized as the industry leader with more than 1,500 product lines in distribution. Through its diverse array of marketing programs, Ingram Micro will provide Vixel the vehicles to efficiently and effectively communicate with a larger community of top VARs and integrators in North and South America. Ingram Micro VARs and system integrators also will have access to the Vixel Integration Partner (VIP) Program. This innovative program for resellers of SAN solutions offers comprehensive sales and technical training to ensure the highest level of service and support for SAN customers. "A relationship with Ingram Micro is an exciting and important development for Vixel," said Ron von Trapp, vice president, worldwide sales, Vixel Corporation. "The partnership will enable additional resellers to have ready access to Vixel's total end-to-end SAN solution. Because Vixel provides one-stop-shopping, our mutual customers benefit from an integrated solution that minimizes implementation issues and increases the overall efficiency of the SAN." Vixel offers a broad range of SAN interconnect products, including Fibre Channel switches, hubs and transceivers, all manageable under one software umbrella, SAN InSite(TM). The company recently announced the Vixel 2100 Zoning Managed Hub, featuring a zoning capacity of up to four loops. Also recently announced is Vixel's SAN InSite version 2.2, a Java-based software program that enables the user to manage all of Vixel's interconnect products in a SAN, including the zoning capability of the Vixel 2100 Zoning Managed Hub. The Vixel 5100 V-GLM is the company's latest transceiver innovation, incorporating a Vertical Cavity Surface Emitting Laser (VCSEL) to increase the reliability and performance of high-speed data transport. Except for historical information contained herein, this news release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such a difference include risks affecting development of the storage area network, or SAN, market, the competitiveness and performance of Vixel's products in this rapidly changing market and the ability of Vixel to meet evolving product standards required by customers and others involved in the distribution channel for SAN products. Further information on the factors and risks that could affect Vixel's business, financial condition and results of operations are included in the Risk Factors section of Vixel's public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Registration Statement of Form S-1 (File No. 333-81347), that are available at www.sec.gov. About Ingram Micro Inc. Ingram Micro Inc., headquartered in Santa Ana, Calif., is the world's largest wholesale provider of technology products and services, and a leader of assembly and integration services with sales of $26.5 billion for the past four reported quarters. The company and its subsidiaries operate in 34 countries and distribute more than 225,000 products to more than 140,000 resellers in 130 countries. About Vixel Corporation Vixel Corporation is a leading provider of Storage Area Network (SAN) solutions. The company's comprehensive product portfolio of switches, hubs and transceivers with an integrated management software application delivers a reliable, interoperable solution to its customers and partners. SAN InSite is Vixel's comprehensive management software for SANs, providing remote control and diagnostics for Fibre Channel switches, hubs and transceivers from a single console, reducing the administration and overhead of implementing a SAN. Established in 1991, the company continues to develop innovative Fibre Channel products to optimize the deployment, performance and management of SAN solutions. Vixel products are available through its network of value-added resellers, alliances and OEMs. For more information, visit Vixel's web site at www.vixel.com. Vixel Corporation is headquartered at 11911 North Creek Parkway South, Bothell, Washington 98011 and can be contacted by phone at 425/806-5509 or e-mail at marketing@vixel.com. Copyright (C) 1999 Business Wire. All rights reserved. Distributed via COMTEX. -0- CONTACT: Vixel Corporation Christine Goetz, 425/806-4511 cgoetz@vixel.com or Imagio Technology Public Relations |