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Technology Stocks : DSSI/DATA Systems & Software -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: jtechkid who wrote (786)	10/29/1998 2:30:00 PM
From: yosi s	Respond to of 1061

WHIPPANY, NJ/ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 1998--Comverge Technologies Inc., a subsidiary of DSSI (Nasdaq: DSSI) and GTE Wireless, part of GTE Corp. (NYSE: GTE), today announced an agreement to co-market an innovative energy management solution to the rapidly deregulating utilities industry. Under the agreement, Comverge will deploy its recently introduced CDC (Comverge Distributed Connection) solution for electric, gas and water industries using GTE's wireless packet data technology. Through the joint efforts of GTE and Comverge, utility companies will benefit from automated meter reading, better energy management, home automation and environmental monitoring. "By working with Comverge, GTE can offer utility customers state-of-the-art business advantages such as remote meter reading, improved detection and response to power or water outages, better energy management and other new features," said Mike Pawlowski, GTE Wireless director of business marketing. "This is a partnership that will bring true innovation to the utility marketplace." "The current trends toward deregulation and increased competition are driving utilities to seek new and innovative means of improving their communication and information systems," said Frank Magnotti, president of Comverge Technologies. "The agreement between Comverge and GTE will help these companies reduce costs and improve operating efficiencies. We feel there is a very strong and growing market for this unique combination of Comverge hardware and software and GTE's wireless packet data." GTE's wireless packet data service provides fast, reliable and cost effective data access from locations in which conventional communications may not be easily accessible. GTE Wireless provides wireless, voice, paging and data telecommunications services to more than 4.5 million customers in 17 states. GTE Wireless is a part of GTE Corp. (NYSE: GTE). With 1997 revenues of more than $23 billion, GTE is one of the world's largest telecommunications companies and a leading provider of integrated telecommunications services. Comverge Technologies, a global subsidiary of Data Systems and Software Inc. (Nasdaq:DSSI) is a provider of end-to-end, two-way communication solutions for energy-related data, home automation, environmental monitoring and distributed generation monitoring. Their open-architecture solutions work with a variety of wide-area networks including CDPD, cable TV, telephone and personal communication services (PCS). Comverge has deployed systems in the United States, Venezuela, Argentina, Israel and Mexico. Comverge's U.S.-based operations are headquartered in Whippany, N.J. International operations are based in Israel. For additional information, please visit the Comverge website at www.comverge-tech.com.

To: jtechkid who wrote (786)	10/29/1998 2:35:00 PM
From: yosi s	Respond to of 1061

"agreement to co-market" Does this mean that GTE can do the marketing and sell Comverge product to utilities. any comments

To: jtechkid who wrote (786)	10/29/1998 2:39:00 PM
From: Omer Shvili	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 1061

JT, I didn't say Morgenstern should have held on to PHD, I meant he could have gotten a better deal 3-6 months before he sold it. And, by the way, DSSI didn't double their money, they just covered their cost of development and some change. But that's not important, as most start-ups fail, and the fact PHD did OK is quite fine. He could have done better, but ended up doing OK. All I want, is for George to learn from past mistakes. We both agree there were some mistakes with PHD (though it still was a good deal), and that DSSI could have gotten a better deal. I want George to learn from this experience, and not waste time with Comverge. If with PHD he had the potential to hit a double, and hit a sacrifice fly, with Comverge he has a potential to hit a grand slam. I don't want to settle for a solo shot, I'd like to at least get a 3-run shot and if it's possible I'd love a grand slam (like Tino hit against SF in game 1 will be just fine). George is a very smart man. He bought Tower for change, and brought up two fine start-ups (PHD and Comverge) while having one loser with CybrCard (every VC fund would love such a ratio). He also got a great deal with Lucent. However, buying great assets for little money is only half the job. The other half, is taking such great assets with great potential and turn them into money making companies. It didn't quite work with PHD, and the odds with Comverge are looking a lot better. I want him to focus on Comverge and make the right moves with regards to its developments. Meaning, if the Venezuela deal is delayed (no big deal, if you remember the financial crysis we had this year), you shouldn't let it change your entire long-term strategic plans. They were about to raise money, and this delay must not change the plan. They can still raise money (less cash at a lower valuation, but still not too dillutive). They planned on raising $15 million, but they don't need that much, and $5 million will be quite fine. They need that cash to increase marketing efforts, in order to be able to o what they claim on their web-site (be the leader in AMR and other communication tech. for utilities). Morgenstern is a smart man, so let's see him use his intelligence for the shareholders sake as well. Omer