REDWOOD CITY, Calif. and TOKYO, Oct. 3 /PRNewswire/ -- SpikeSource, a provider of open source solutions, and NEC , today announced a strategic agreement to deliver SpikeSource certified open source infrastructure and solutions software on the NEC server hardware. This marks the first time NEC is bundling open source infrastructure and solutions software on their hardware. The agreement is significant because it designates SpikeSource as NEC's strategic global open source solution provider.

SpikeSource delivers open source applications and infrastructure software via a global market of solution providers. By becoming NEC's strategic global open source solution provider, SpikeSource will extend its application portfolio in Japan and other regions to support NEC customer requirements. NEC will refer Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) to SpikeSource for inclusion on the Spike(TM) Ignite infrastructure platform. NEC will deliver SpikeSource infrastructure software on the NEC Express5800 Server product along with additional open source software solutions that will be included on the platform.

"We look forward to offering our customers comprehensive hardware and software solutions through our partnership with SpikeSource. They have developed world-class solutions for small and large businesses and are a perfect fit for the NEC Express5800 Server platform," said Toshihiko Takahashi, NEC Executive Vice President.

NEC is a global leader in server and desktop computing systems with a global network of channel partners. By collaborating with SpikeSource, NEC will now be able to offer its network of channel partners a hardware platform complete with open source infrastructure and application software that has been tested and updated by SpikeSource.

"SpikeSource is passionate about bringing low-cost solutions to enterprises of all sizes with our channel partners," said Kim Polese, CEO of SpikeSource. "As we open up new global markets for open source software, we are pleased to be doing so with NEC."

NEC contributed to SpikeSource's Series B round of funding that closed in September 2006 and resulted in a total US $24 million. Other investors included Kleiner Perkins Caufield and Byers, Fidelity Investments, Intel Capital, Omidyar Network, CMEA Ventures and Duff Ackerman Goodrich. The funding will support continued investment in solutions and expansion of channels across the globe.

About SpikeSource

SpikeSource is a software company which distributes, integrates, manages and supports open source applications to enterprises through trusted solution providers. SpikeSource integrates applications with the right components and then builds, tests and distributes these open source solutions on an automated test framework with over 100,000 daily tests. By testing and certifying open source applications, SpikeSource offers a portfolio of SpikeCertified and SpikeIgnited solutions for enterprises that may not have deployed open source before. These solutions are delivered with a comprehensive update and support service called Spike(TM) Net. Through SpikeSource's trusted solution providers, companies can be assured that the applications have been deployed and customized for their unique business requirements. For a list of SpikeSource solution providers, visit http://www.spikesource.com/.

About NEC Corporation

NEC Corporation is one of the world's leading providers of Internet, broadband network and enterprise business solutions dedicated to meeting the specialized needs of its diverse and global base of customers. NEC delivers tailored solutions in the key fields of computer, networking and electron devices, by integrating its technical strengths in IT and Networks, and by providing advanced semiconductor solutions through NEC Electronics Corporation. The NEC Group employs more than 150,000 people worldwide and had net sales of approximately 4,825 billion yen (approx. $41.2 billion) in the fiscal year ended March 2006.

For additional information, please visit the NEC home page at: http://www.nec.com/

* Newsroom: http://www.nec.co.jp/press/en/

CONTACT: Japan, Yasuhito Jochi of NEC Corporation, Public Relations,
+81-3-3798-6511, or y-jochi@bp.jp.nec.com; or Melissa Shapiro of Sparkpr,
+1-415-321-1870, or melissa@sparkpr.com, for SpikeSource

Web site: http://www.nec.com/

Web site: http://www.spikesource.com/