FTG Farmstead Telephone Grp.

Farmstead Launches its Small and Medium Business (SMB) Group EAST HARTFORD, Conn., March 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. (AMEX:FTG) today announced that it has launched the first element of its strategic re-direction by creating a new, national sales organization to sell products and services to small and medium businesses with 200 and fewer employees ("SMBs"). The new organization will sell small and medium business solutions and services from Avaya (NYSE:AV). Farmstead's SMB Group, as well as its Enterprise Systems Group, will be led by Vel Johnson, the Company's newly appointed Executive Vice President. The Avaya portfolio of products designed for SMBs that Farmstead will offer includes Avaya IP Office, an "all in one" converged communication system that brings together voice, data and communication applications; PARTNER(R) Advanced Communications System, a telecommunications system that supports advanced telephony capabilities, including messaging and wireless applications to enhance company productivity; and Merlin MAGIX(R), a simple and cost- effective telecommunication system with flexible growth to 200 stations. Jean-Marc Stiegemeier, Farmstead's President and CEO, said: "The addition of Farmstead's SMB Group, and the industry-leading portfolio of Avaya solutions for small and medium businesses, will complement Farmstead's Enterprise Systems Group, as well as other products and services we currently offer. We believe that the SMB market represents the fastest growing segment of the telecommunications systems and services business nationally, and we are delighted to be working with a market leader such as Avaya. Our goal is to provide Avaya customers nationally with the support and service they need to keep their communications systems running smoothly." Stiegemeier said Farmstead will announce new business solutions to its customers as they become available, evidencing its commitment to provide the products and services required to meet the continued paradigm shift the telecommunications industry is currently experiencing. "Small and medium businesses want the sophistication and features of the latest communications solutions at a price they can afford. Plus they need the support to go along with it because the person responsible for the communications system could very well be the business owner or the office manager," said Morag Lucey, Global Vice President of Marketing, Small and Medium Business Solutions, Avaya. "By creating a special team for small and mid-market customers, Farmstead can provide those businesses with the dedicated services and support that truly address their specific needs." About Farmstead Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. is an Avaya Inc. Gold Business Partner, selling, installing and maintaining both new and refurbished Avaya business communications products nationwide. Further information about Farmstead Telephone may be found at http://www.farmstead.com/. We are interested in your feedback and comments. To respond to questions from our management team, click here: http://www.b2i.us/sendFeedBack.asp?B=1042&RL=7853&S=12204 To add yourself to our email distribution list, click here: http://www.b2i.us/frame.asp?BzID=1042&to=ea&Nav=1&S=0&L=1 About Avaya Avaya Inc. designs, builds and manages communications networks for more than 1 million businesses worldwide, including over 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500(R). Focused on businesses large to small, Avaya is a world leader in secure and reliable Internet Protocol (IP) telephony systems and communications software applications and services. Driving the convergence of voice and data communications with business applications -- and distinguished by comprehensive worldwide services -- Avaya helps customers leverage existing and new networks to achieve superior business results. For more information visit the Avaya website: http://www.avaya.com/. This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In addition to historical information, investors should consider carefully the risks associated with an investment in the Company's securities as previously outlined by the Company in its prior filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CONTACT: Robert G. LaVigne, CFO Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. Voice: 860-610-6002 Fax: 860-610-6001 DATASOURCE: Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. CONTACT: Robert G. LaVigne, CFO of Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc., +1- 860-610-6002 Web site: http://www.farmstead.com/ http://www.avaya.com/

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