Released on: July 2, 2008, 12:19 pm

Press Release Author: Anne Ward

Industry: Telecommunications

Press Release Summary: Innovative business telephony company chooses Rochester for
its high tech talent pool and business growth opportunities

Press Release Body: Rochester, NY- Manhattan-headquartered M5 Networks, Inc.
celebrated the opening of its Rochester office today as Mayor Robert Duffy and
Carlos Carballada, The City of Rochester\'s Commissioner of Economic Development,
officiated at a ribbon-cutting ceremony at the company\'s new space at 4 Commercial
Street, Suite 103, in downtown Rochester. M5 Networks is a leading VoIP provider and
is the pioneer in developing a \'Voice as a Service\' platform and infrastructure,
which delivers breakthrough solutions for mid-size business phone communications.
Industry experts predict that in ten years businesses will replace traditional phone
system technology and capabilities with on-demand, managed Internet-based services.
More than half of Fortune 1000 companies have already converted to IP phone
technology because they know that a state-of-the-art telephony system can transform
the way a business operates. Unfortunately, these systems rarely meet the
expectations of midsize companies. Business and technology leaders traditionally
lack the resources to coordinate multiple phone companies, manage hundreds of
details, and sort through thousands of features, which ultimately place great
demands on their companies.
M5 serves a rapidly growing base of mid-sized businesses that recognize that
unlocking the power of their phone system is essential for building their business,
enhancing client relationships, and increasing customer satisfaction. These
companies benefit from phone system capabilities delivered as an on-demand, managed
service over an IP network optimized for voice - something M5 calls, \'Voice as a
Service.\' M5\'s Voice as a Service platform delivers three major advantages and
benefits: Active Service Management, or proactive, transparent service from
deployment through ongoing management and maintenance; Embedded Continuity, or
\"baked-in\" business continuity that goes far beyond simple redundancy; and On-Demand
Solutions, which provide the actionable business breakthroughs for marketing, call
center, staffing and client service functions.
M5\'s other offices are in New York City (corporate headquarters), Philadelphia and
Chicago. Recently M5 began looking at other cities to host its technology support
staff function. One of M5\'s top sales people, Phelim White, recommended Rochester
because his extended family was there and he was considering relocating. Another top
supporter of this move was M5\'s Manager of Client Services, Jason Klinger, a R.I.T.
alum who began his career in Rochester, then moved to New York City but frequently
spent his weekends with friends in the area. M5\'s Director of Client Services, Brent
Barbara, also has a local tie - he is a graduate of the University of Rochester, and
was very eager to tap the area\'s strong technological community for partners,
clients and staff.
\"We have a growing commitment to Rochester,\" says M5 President and CEO Dan Hoffman.
\"The area offers a technologically savvy labor market and experienced business
professionals, who are attracted to the region\'s quality of life, plus greater cost
efficiencies. Having a presence in Rochester also gives us the ability to personally
connect with the growing numbers of mid-size businesses from Albany to Ohio.\"
M5 is already signing on key clients and partners in the area and now has eight
full-time employees in the Rochester office. Some of M5\'s Rochester clients include:
pm&l, inc., Christa Construction, LLC, Consilium1, ICM, and Total Computer
Solutions. M5 is currently hiring and sees the local labor market as strategic to
the company\'s growth.
Hoffman, White, Klinger, and Barbara were joined at the grand opening today by M5\'s
Executive Vice President and co-Founder Phillip Kim, VP of Sales Brian Klansky, and
VP of Service Delivery Kerrin Parker. The M5 team was welcomed to Rochester by their
partner Paetec, represented by CEO Arunas A. Chesonis, as well as Commissioner
Carballada, and Mayor Duffy.
By making an investment in its future and in Rochester, M5\'s office opening
qualifies as part of New York State\'s Empire Zone program. This program was created
to stimulate economic growth through a variety of State tax incentives designed to
attract new businesses to New York State and to enable existing businesses to expand
and create more jobs.
About M5 Networks
Headquartered in New York City, M5 Networks, Inc. is very different from most
companies that offer hosted or premises-based phone systems. M5\'s network is
optimized for voice, their software is customized end-to-end, delivered via a Voice
as a Service platform, and their staff is committed to delivering business change
and client satisfaction. M5 has received considerable recognition and was named to
the 2006 Inc. 500 (#272) and the 2007 Deloitte\'s Technology Fast 50. M5 was
recognized by CRN as one of the top 15 Key VoIP Players in 2007. Internet Telephony
magazine named M5 Networks an Excellence Award Winner of 2007 for their Call Center
solution and awarded 2007 Product of the Year recognition to M5\'s Sales Engine. M5
has also been included on the Pulver100 list for six consecutive years in addition
to receiving numerous other accolades. To learn more about M5, please visit
www.m5net.com.
For more information contact:
Anne Ward
M5 Networks
646.747.1634
award@m5net.com



Web Site: http://www.m5net.com

Contact Details: M5 Networks, Inc.
245 West 17th Street
New York, NY 10011
tel: 646.230.5000
fax: 646.230.5001