Cambridge, Mass. (January 11, 2005) --Artisoft, Inc. (ASFTE.OB), a leading provider of next-generation, IP-based phone systems for small, large and distributed businesses, announced today that the company has changed its name to Vertical Communications, Inc. The adjustment reflects the company's strategic vision to meet the demands of the growing business communications market. In connection with this name change, the company has changed its website to www.vertical.com.

"The new name more accurately represents the Company's focus on providing next-generation communications systems to businesses across several vertical markets, and will also enable the company to leverage its brand-building investments," said Vertical's chairman and CEO, William Y. Tauscher.

Artisoft is a leader in IP-PBX software and systems for small businesses. Vertical Networks, which Artisoft acquired in September of 2004, is a provider of IP-PBX systems for large, distributed enterprises. The Artisoft acquisition of Vertical Networks has brought together two IP-PBX companies, with established product offerings and a significant base of installed customers, under one roof. The new name more accurately represents Vertical's next-generation, IP-based phone system offerings and will also enable the company to leverage its brand-building investments.

About Vertical

Vertical Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of next-generation IP-based voice and data communications systems for business. Vertical combines voice and data technologies with business process understanding to deliver integrated IP-PBX and application solutions that enhance customer service and business productivity. Vertical's customers are leading companies of all sizes -- from small to large and distributed -- and include CVS/pharmacy, Household International, and Apria Healthcare. Vertical is headquartered in Cambridge, Massachusetts and delivers its solutions through a worldwide network of systems integrators, resellers and distributors. Visit http://www.vertical.com for more information.

"Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements regarding the growth of the communications market, the execution of our current business strategy, the potential benefits of our name change and our ability to leverage our brand-building investments, our ability to provide products and services that enhance customer service and business productivity, the benefits of our September 2004 acquisition of the business assets of Vertical Networks, Inc., as well as other statements that are not historical facts are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements rely on a number of assumptions concerning future events and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. These include, but are not limited to, uncertainties surrounding whether the communications market will grow in the future; whether our name change will be perceived positively by our customers and investors; whether we will be able to successfully execute our business strategies; whether we will be able to successfully integrate our historic business operations with those of the recently acquired Vertical Networks, Inc.; whether our customers will perceive our products and services as valuable and beneficial; volatility in our stock price as a result of the matters discussed above; the volatility of semiconductor industry cycles; our ability to achieve forecasted revenues and maintain and improve gross margins, to reduce operating expenses, and to manage cash flows (and the timing and degree of any such improvements in gross margins, reductions in operating expenses and management of cash flows); failure to integrate in an efficient and timely manner acquired companies; failure to retain and attract key employees; and other factors more fully detailed in the company's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended June 30, 2004. Vertical Communications and the Vertical Communications logo and combinations thereof are trademarks of Vertical Communications, Inc. All other brand and product names are used for identification only and are the property of their respective holders.