O-STA

Platinum Equity Company NextiraOne Europe Completes Acquisition of Core Computer; Strategic Acquisition Strengthens Business in Czech and Slovak Republics

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 16, 2004--

Second Acquisition for NextiraOne Europe in the Past Two Months

Platinum Equity portfolio company NextiraOne Europe has completed the acquisition of CORE Computer Ltd., a leading provider of data network communication solutions to customers in the Czech and Slovak Republics. Financial terms were not disclosed.

"Platinum Equity is committed to supporting NextiraOne's pursuit of acquisitions that will expand its product and service offering and further strengthen its capabilities in convergence," said Brian Wall, Platinum Equity's managing director for Europe. "The Platinum team worked closely with NextiraOne management to execute the CORE acquisition and we are very excited about integrating CORE's capabilities with NextiraOne."

The acquisition of CORE strengthens NextiraOne's converged communication capabilities in the Czech and Slovak Republics and positions it as the leading supplier of data and voice-over-IP solutions. The complementary business will double the size of NextiraOne's operations in both countries, expand its customer portfolio and reinforce NextiraOne's vendor relationships in the region. Additionally, CORE brings NextiraOne an additional Cisco Gold certification, signifying that the business and its technicians have met or surpassed the stringent personnel, training, customer satisfaction, specialization and post-sales support requirements set forth by Cisco.

CORE is the second strategic acquisition in as many months for NextiraOne, which in October acquired the System Integration and Managed Services division of Citee in the Netherlands. Citee's data communication strengths in server-based computing, storage, Windows applications and security complement NextiraOne's expertise in converged data and voice communications.

About Platinum Equity

Platinum Equity (www.platinumequity.com) is a global M&A&O(SM) firm specializing in the merger, acquisition and operation of mission-critical services and solutions companies. Since its founding in 1995, Platinum Equity has acquired more than 40 businesses and built a portfolio of companies with more than 38,000 employees, more than 600,000 customer sites and annual revenues of $8 billion. In 2004, Platinum Equity was named the 32nd largest private company in the United States.

About NextiraOne

Headquartered in Paris and Houston, NextiraOne is a leading global provider of integrated enterprise network solutions and services that enable effective, reliable business communications. The company covers everything from planning and design to the implementation, support and management of voice, data and converged communications networks. They provide best-in-class technologies from leading partners including Alcatel, Cisco Systems, Genesys and Nortel Networks, and offer consultation and solutions development ranging from contact centre applications to network infrastructure outsourcing. Discover more at www.nextiraone.com. NextiraOne is owned by Platinum Equity.

CONTACT:

Platinum Equity

Mark Barnhill, 310-228-9514

mbarnhill@platinumequity.com