Opsware Integrates with Micromuse's Netcool Software to Deliver Compl

Opsware Integrates with Micromuse's Netcool Software to Deliver Complete Automation and Monitoring Solution for IT Networks

    Business Editors/High-Tech Writers

    SUNNYVALE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 23, 2005--

Partnership Helps Enterprises Accelerate Utility Computing Initiatives
    Opsware Inc. (Nasdaq:OPSW), the leading provider of IT automation and utility computing software, and Micromuse (Nasdaq:MUSE), the leading provider of ultra-scalable, realtime business and service assurance software, today announced that the Opsware Network Automation System has been certified as a Netcool(R) Ready(TM) solution. The integration with Micromuse's Netcool ultra-scalable, business and service assurance software enables companies to significantly improve performance and response time as well as reduce IT costs and complexity.
    Micromuse's Netcool solutions for consolidated operations and end-to-end management of IT infrastructure provide users with realtime views of networks, and systems and applications. Netcool solutions also provide service and transaction metrics that allow users to assess the reliability and availability of business services. The Opsware Network Automation System automatically makes and tracks changes throughout the infrastructure in realtime across routers, switches, firewalls, and load balancers to provide greater efficiency, accountability, and insight into network changes.
    The integration between the two solutions allows Network Automation System to send notifications regarding device configuration change, device diagnostic, configuration policy violation, and user authentication error notifications directly to the Netcool database. This information is then correlated with other event data that has been collected by Netcool and presented in a business dashboard view to IT administrators who can then take the appropriate actions. Netcool's business dashboards enables users to easily visualize the status of the infrastructure and allows them to right click on an event to drill down into specific device information, ascertain policy and compliance issues, compare previous configurations, and view the most recent changes, to be able to rapidly and effectively adapt to changes in their environment.
    "The ability to dynamically and rapidly adjust to change is a fundamental requirement for building a utility computing infrastructure," said Eric Johnson, vice president of development at Opsware Inc. "The strength of Micromuse's infrastructure management combined with Opsware's award winning network automation helps customers build a fully automated, on-demand environment that dramatically reduces IT operational costs."
    "Through our partnership with Opsware, we are delivering a powerful set of proven capabilities for customers who are beginning to execute against their utility computing initiatives," said Dr. Craig Farrell, CTO of Micromuse. "Both Micromuse and Opsware have an established base of customers who are achieving real cost savings today based on their ability to more accurately monitor performance and automate the management of network devices. When implemented together, the combined solution helps customers to realize the greatest value from their IT investments and to respond on-demand."

    Availability

    Micromuse customers who are current on maintenance may obtain a copy of the certified Integration Module for Netcool at http://support.micromuse.com/downloads/integrations/index.html.
    If you have any questions, please contact: AllianceProgram@micromuse.com.

    About Opsware Inc. (Nasdaq:OPSW)

    Opsware Inc. is the world's leading IT automation and utility computing software company. The growth of the Internet is driving a shift from client/server computing to Web architecture. With this shift comes an overwhelming proliferation of servers, networking devices and applications, creating massive complexity that makes an automated IT model a necessity. Opsware automates the complete IT lifecycle and delivers utility computing by enabling IT to automatically provision, patch, configure, secure, change, scale, audit, recover, consolidate, migrate, and reallocate servers, network devices and applications. Over 280 of the world's largest companies, outsourcers and government agencies use Opsware to deliver this new, automated model of IT. For more information on Opsware Inc., please visit our Web site at www.opsware.com.

    About Micromuse (Nasdaq:MUSE)

    Micromuse Inc. (Nasdaq:MUSE) is the leading provider of ultra-scalable, realtime business and service assurance software solutions. The Netcool(R) software suite provides organizations with the assurance that their IT systems are supporting and driving profits 24 hours a day. Unlike traditional infrastructure management systems, Netcool solutions provide realtime end-to-end visibility and accurate troubleshooting from a business perspective. Such business intelligence allows organizations to respond to problems quickly, streamline workflow processes and improve business uptime. Micromuse customers include BT, Cable & Wireless, Deutsche Telekom, EarthLink, ITC^DeltaCom, J.P. Morgan Chase, MCI, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Headquarters are located at 139 Townsend Street, San Francisco, Calif. 94107; (415) 538-9090. The Web site is at www.micromuse.com.

    NOTE TO EDITORS: There is a caret in the company name between ITC and DELTACOM. This symbol may not appear properly in some systems.

    Opsware is a service mark and trademark of Opsware Inc. Micromuse Netcool is a trademark of Micromuse Ltd. All other product names, service marks, and trademarks mentioned herein are trademarks of their respective owners.

--30--JR/sf*

CONTACT: Barokas PR for Opsware Karli Overmier, 206-264-8220 karli@barokas.com or Micromuse Nicole Fortenberry, 917-602-9834 nforten@micromuse.com

KEYWORD: CALIFORNIA INDUSTRY KEYWORD: HARDWARE SOFTWARE NETWORKING PRODUCT MARKETING AGREEMENTS SOURCE: Opsware Inc.

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