VNWK Visual Networks (MM)

VoIP Planner Adds to Visual Networks Growing Portfolio of VoIP Lifecycle Management Offerings BOSTON, Sept. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- At the Fall 2005 VON Conference & Expo, Visual Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:VNWK) (Booth #250), a leading provider of network and application performance management solutions, today announced the forthcoming availability of VoIP Planner(TM). This Ethernet appliance generates and analyzes synthetic voice calls, thereby helping enterprises cost-effectively gauge network readiness for an actual VoIP deployment without having to purchase and roll out VoIP equipment in advance. VoIP Planner is the newest component of the company's flagship Visual UpTime(R) Select(TM) product suite, which provides in-depth, real-time and historical information that enables enterprises to intelligently manage application and network performance and availability across the entire enterprise. VoIP Planner allows users to strategically place synthetic voice calls throughout the network in order to gain visibility into key network metrics that directly impact VoIP performance. The appliance analyzes the performance of simulated call at each site and delivers on a per-call basis detailed measurements including MOS (Mean Opinion Score), R-Factor, jitter, packet loss and latency. Users receive a number of rich reports, including a report that indicates the impact an increasing number of VoIP calls has on overall VoIP performance. Additionally, VoIP Planner can continue to be utilized once VoIP is deployed to test site-to-site performance, thereby helping identify the cause of VoIP or other network and application performance problems. "VoIP Planner is a natural complement to Visual UpTime Select by adding flexible but targeted synthetic testing to Visual UpTime Select's traditional passive monitoring strengths," said Dennis Drogseth, vice president, Enterprise Management Associates. "This announcement will help to consolidate and strengthen Visual Networks' presence in the VoIP management marketplace while honoring core product attributes such as ease of deployment, flexible administration, and precision in optimizing the network infrastructure for application delivery and performance." With the addition of VoIP Planner to Visual UpTime Select, enterprises have the flexibility to assess VoIP readiness via synthetic testing, detailed analysis of actual pre-VoIP network and application performance, or a combination of the two. Leveraging VoIP Planner with Visual UpTime Select's traditional network management strengths, users can gain in-depth information on how VoIP traffic will impact other applications and how other applications will affect VoIP performance. "To determine whether enterprises can effectively incorporate voice into their data networks, VoIP Planner provides the requisite granular insight into the impact VoIP traffic will have on the network once VoIP is deployed," said Wayne Fuller, Executive Vice President of Operations at Visual Networks. "The combination of synthetic call data with the actual network and application performance visibility puts enterprises on the path to successful VoIP deployments." And for VARs and distributors, the VoIP Planner is a cost-effective solution that can be used multiple times in professional services engagements and leveraged across multiple customers and prospects. The VoIP Planner may be used for pre-assessment and baselining during the evaluation and deployment of VoIP solutions and can be used as an on-going management tool. The company anticipates general availability of VoIP Planner in the fourth quarter of the current calendar year. About Visual Networks Visual Networks, Inc. (NASDAQ:VNWK) is a leading provider of network and application performance management solutions. The company's technologies enable enterprises to reliably and securely manage the delivery and performance of key applications such as Voice over IP (VoIP) across their infrastructures. Visual Networks' products increase application and network availability, optimize the use of bandwidth across the network, and reduce operating costs across traditional and IP-based infrastructures. For more information, visit http://www.visualnetworks.com/. Forward Looking Statement Certain statements in this press release may constitute "forward-looking statements" with respect to Visual Networks, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company"). Forward-looking statements are based on management's views and assumptions regarding business performance and future events as of the time the statements are made. These statements involve risks and uncertainties, including the risks detailed in Visual Networks' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which may cause actual results of the Company to differ materially from the statements. By making these forward-looking statements, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revision or changes after the date of this release. DATASOURCE: Visual Networks, Inc. CONTACT: David Peikin of Visual Neworks, +1-301-296-2262, cell: +1-301-706-9996, or Web site: http://www.visualnetworks.com/

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