FTG Farmstead Telephone Grp.

Customer satisfaction and technical specialists' expertise in convergence are key to attaining certification and providing IP telephony solution to customers EAST HARTFORD, Conn., Oct. 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Farmstead Telephone Group (AMEX:FTG) announced today that it has been named a Platinum BusinessPartner by Avaya Inc. (NYSE:AV), a leading global provider of communications networks and services for businesses. The Platinum certification, the highest Avaya offers, is an industry- recognized designation that indicates Farmstead Telephone Group has met a series of rigorous criteria to ensure superior technical competency and delivers best-in-class customer service and support as measured by an independent survey organization. Farmstead Telephone Group sells Avaya business communications systems, design and implementation services to businesses nationally. Jean-Marc Stiegemeier, Farmstead's Chairman and CEO, stated: "Farmstead and Avaya have a long and successful history together. The step to Platinum status demonstrates our commitment to provide our customers with the highest level of technical expertise that complements our world class customer satisfaction." The Avaya BusinessPartner certification program has three levels of distinction -- Silver, Gold and Platinum. For Farmstead Telephone Group to achieve the Platinum rating, the company had to meet specific customer service and performance criteria that included: * Customer satisfaction ratings of 85 percent or higher from a broad base of customers. Farmstead achieved 93 percent. * Certified employees who have demonstrated expertise in sales, design and implementation. Avaya has one of the industry's leading programs to certify sales and technical professionals in IP telephony, unified communications, contact centers, and services. Avaya Professional Certification is a progressive program with Associate, Specialist, and Expert level credentials. Each level of Avaya Certification requires passing two or more exams in the required application area of expertise. "Avaya's strategy with its BusinessPartner program is to ensure that customers have a consistent, quality experience, whether they buy direct from Avaya or indirect through a partner like Farmstead Telephone Group," said Ken Archer, vice president, North America Channels, Avaya. "Through its commitment to certification, which requires continuous development of support capabilities and consistent delivery of superior customer service, Farmstead Telephone Group has proved its tremendous value both to Avaya and its customers." About Farmstead Farmstead Telephone Group, Inc. (AMEX:FTG) is an Avaya Inc. Platinum 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/. About Avaya Avaya Inc. (NYSE:AV) 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/. Investor Contact: Alex Lewis or Dave Gentry Aurelius Consulting Group 407-644-4256 http://www.runonideas.com/ Mel Lipes, Farmstead Telephone Group Barbara Burgess, Avaya 860-610-6005 908-953-3348 DATASOURCE: Farmstead Telephone Group CONTACT: Investor Contact: Alex Lewis or Dave Gentry of Aurelius Consulting Group, +1-407-644-4256, ; or Mel Lipes, Farmstead Telephone Group, +1-860-610-6005, ; or Barbara Burgess of Avaya, +1-908-953-3348 Web site: http://www.farmstead.com/ http://www.avaya.com/

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