New entry-level configuration and lower entry cost will reach bigger market and provide end users with unprecedented level of flexibility

FAIRFIELD, NJ, August 4, 2008 – Critical Links, a global provider of unified voice, data and IT solutions for small and medium sized businesses (SMBs), today announced the availability of new entry-level platforms and bundled configurations for its edgeBOX™ multi-service business gateway (MSBG). Now SMB customers can purchase the edgeBOX for as few as 10 users at a low entry cost, and can scale as needed with additional user packs (licenses) for a very attractive per-user cost.

This new “Buy only what you need and Pay As You Grow” model means that users can now minimize both their initial and on-going investment while continuing to have the ability to scale as required. This model increases cost savings by reducing per-seat pricing as the number of users grows.

Industry analyst firm, In-Stat, monitors the small and medium sized business market for MSBGs, including edgeBOX, and recent research indicates that the appeal of the MSBG continues to increase. “The migration to VoIP is increasingly driving MSBG sales,” said Keith Nissen, principal analyst, In-Stat. “Critical-Links is greatly expanding its addressable market by offering a scalable appliance at price points in line with start-up and small business requirements and is well positioned to serve this segment.”

Entry-level configurations start from under $2500 and includes all the edgeBOX features and 10 user licenses. Per user price starts at $50. The Critical Links pricing approach continues to differentiate the edgeBOX by including all components and transparently revealing the user costs up front, unlike the norm in the industry wherein the true costs are often much higher than those initially stated.

“SMBs around the world rely on edgeBOX for their voice, data and IT needs, and with our new entry level configurations, we are making the product even more accessible and easier to deploy,” said Alex Sarin, vice president, product management at Critical Links. “With the ability to scale from as few as 10 users to as many as 300, edgeBOX can accommodate SMBs of almost any size at an aggressive price point that aligns with the customer’s requirements.”

In addition to the new entry-level configurations, edgeBOX is now available to users, via its channel partner network, as a bundled solution that includes Power over Ethernet (PoE) switches and IP phones all preconfigured and ready to go out of the box for predefined office sizes. These preconfigured, “plug and play” solutions further simplify user deployment and reduce set up time.

The edgeBOX provides an MSBG solution for SMBs that includes a full-fledged IP telephony system, smoothly integrated with email, contact database, calendars, security, VPN, file sharing, and more. The voice and data services integration improves employee productivity, simplifies installation, maintenance and upgrades, and dramatically reduces equipment, communications, and maintenance costs for SMBs. It is available on a range of scalable platforms for companies from 10 to 300 users. edgeBOX can be fully managed remotely through a simple browser, which makes it specially suited for system integrators that want to get into the business of providing managed services to SMB customers.

The edgeBOX is sold exclusively through channel partners. For more information, please visit www.critical-links.com/payasugrow.

About Critical Links
Critical Links is a global provider of converged voice, data and IT solutions for small and medium businesses (SMBs) that dramatically simplify and cost-reduce by consolidating over a single scalable and fault-tolerant platform.

Critical Links’ flagship product, the edgeBOX™, is an award-winning multi-function gateway appliance that includes VoIP/IP-PBX, VPNs, security, NAC, QoS and a WiFi access point as well as a fax server, web server, e-mail server, print server and data storage. It is available on a range of hardware platforms that support up to 300 users, with different form factors and a host of broadband interfaces such as BRI/PRI(T1/E1), FX0/FXS, Ethernet, etc. Critical Links typically serves SMBs through a global network of VARs, System Integrators, OEMs and Service Providers. For more information: www.critical-links.com or info@critical-links.com.

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