NETWORKS

LOS ANGELES, CA -- DataDirect Networks, a provider of the world's highest performance storage networking appliances, has named Ted Smith, founder and former chairman of FileNET Corporation to its board of directors. Smith founded FileNET Corporation in 1982, and under his leadership it grew to an approximately $400 million business, becoming the largest software company in Southern California and among the top 50 in the nation. He pioneered the document-imaging and workflow industry and has been recognized as Pioneer of the Year, by Imaging Magazine, and Entrepreneur of the Year, by Venture Magazine. Smith joins previously announced board members Michael S. Kaye, Robert Healy, Alex Bouzari, and Paul Bloch in charting the course of the storage networking company. DataDirect Networks creates highly scalable, simple-to-deploy and easy-to-manage storage networking appliance technology that accelerates application performance, simplifies information management, and establishes an intelligent platform for deploying application-specific storage software. "DataDirect Networks is at a stage where it has advanced technology and a strong customer base that sets it apart from other companies of its size," Smith said recently. "There are interesting parallels between DataDirect today and the early years of FileNET and I'm interested in helping to guide the company through its challenging period of growth that's ahead." "Ted Smith brings a solid foundation of leadership, integrity and vision that's grounded in more than 40 years of business experience to the companies he serves," Alex Bouzari, chief executive officer, DataDirect Networks, said. "Ted's success in building FileNET from founding to one of the top 50 software companies in America is legendary, and we are honored to have him participate on DataDirect Networks' board." In addition to his board affiliation with DataDirect Networks, Smith is a member of the boards of directors of Intershop Communications, SeatAdvisor, and the Apriso Corp. He also is a member of the Executive Council of the Technology Network, an industry political action group of 270 high-tech company CEOs, and chairs its Orange County group. Smith also serves as chair of the UC Irvine Foundation, a volunteer organization comprised of community leaders who manage foundation resources, provide strategic advice to UCI and help increase public awareness and financial support for the university's research, teaching and public service. Smith is chair of the CEO Technology Advisory Board of the UCI Information and Computer Sciences Department and a member and former chair of UCI's Chief Executive Roundtable. Smith's business leadership and philanthropic involvement in the community recently earned him the 2001 National Human Relations Award from the Orange County Chapter of the American Jewish Committee. In addition to their contributions to UCI, Ted and Janice Smith have actively supported the Pacific Symphony Orchestra, Orange County Performing Arts Center, Orange County Museum of Art, Bowers Museum of Art, St. Joseph's Ballet, City of Santa Ana Project Pride and the Business Committee for the Arts. Smith is also an active board member, supporter and fund-raiser for the MIND Institute of Irvine which is a research-based spinout from UC Irvine whose software products are being used in public schools to accelerate learning of elementary school math. For more information visit www.datadirectnet.com