Vertical Xcelerator IP™ Wins 2007 TMC Labs Innovation Award

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. (January 23rd, 2008) -- Vertical Communications (VRCC.OB) (“Vertical”), a leading provider of next-generation, IP-based phone systems and applications that help businesses better serve their customers, today announced that Walter Kenrich, vice president of product management, will present two panel sessions at TMC’s INTERNET TELEPHONY® Conference & EXPO East 2008 at the Miami Beach Convention Center in Miami, Florida.

On Thursday, January 24, 2008 at 1:15 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time, Mr. Kenrich and Mr. Richard Alexander, president of The Alexander Group (www.alexandergroup.biz), a leading telephony and data integrator, will co-present “SMB Contact Centers Go Mainstream.” This session will examine how small- to medium-sized businesses (SMBs) can leverage integrated contact center capabilities, such as skills-based routing and caller ID, to enhance everything from improving business processes, to acquiring new customers, to strengthening customer loyalty – without hiring dedicated contact center employees.

Vertical will also lead a panel discussion, “Navigating the Technology Wave: An SMB Tutorial,” on Friday January 25, 2008 at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. Mr. Kenrich, along with Michael Howard, president of TelNet of Virginia (www.telnetva.com) and a leading Vertical business partner, and his customer, Ray Shifflett, director of information technology at KTA Group, Inc.(www.ktagroup.com), will discuss how employees within SMB organizations have learned how to streamline the procurement process and make the right decision for their company, and more importantly, learn the challenges and best practices to purchasing a new IP communications system.

 “We are very pleased that Vertical will be participating in this year’s show.  Vertical is widely recognized and respected as an industry leader, and I am confident that our attendees will appreciate and value the opportunity to hear their perspectives,” said TMC president and conference chairman, Rich Tehrani.  “Over the past twelve months, widespread deployment of IP Communications services by global service providers, businesses and governments has reinforced that this exciting technology is a viable, cost-effective communications solution.  As a result, we are seeing a significant number of senior-level executives attending INTERNET TELEPHONY Conference & EXPO as a means of learning about the technology so they too can take advantage of its benefits.”