Quest Software Unveils Its Strategy for Unix, Linux, Windows Cross-Platform Infrastructure Management

1 January 1970

Quest Software Inc. (Nasdaq:QSFT), a leading provider of application, database and infrastructure management solutions, today unveiled a strategic expansion of its mission to help customers get more performance and productivity from their IT infrastructure. With the addition of the recently acquired Vintela products, Quest moves into an adjacent market from its position of strength in Windows infrastructure management. New functional integration between Quest ActiveRoles and Vintela Authentication Services is the first demonstration of this new direction.

"As the market shifts with new technology dynamics, our customers help us know when it is time to expand our vision," said David Waugh, vice president, product management, Quest Software. "Industry research shows that while adoption of Linux is growing rapidly, customers are also increasing their investments in Windows. There is a growing need for interoperability and efficient cross-platform management.

"Our customers want to leverage their significant investments in Windows, even as they adopt or acquire Unix and Linux servers for specific applications," Waugh continued. "They also want to make the most of their investments in systems management products from Quest. Audit and compliance pressures are increasingly driving them to look for ways to manage their full heterogeneous infrastructure in a unified manner. We believe the best strategy is to integrate Unix and Linux systems with the Windows environment, rather than continue to duplicate systems management efforts."

The recently acquired Vintela products allow widely used Microsoft infrastructure and management products -- such as Active Directory, Windows Group Policy, Systems Management Server (SMS) 2003, and Microsoft Operations Manager (MOM) 2005 -- to expand to systems outside the realm of Windows. As a natural, native, and platform-specific implementation of the same standards used in the Windows products, Vintela allows Unix and Linux systems to act as full participants in the Active Directory domain. Similarly, a Unix, Linux or Mac system can appear as an SMS Advanced Client in the SMS Admin Console.

The cross-platform integration capability gained with Vintela will also extend the benefit of Quest's solutions for Windows infrastructure management. Where appropriate, integration will be built between classic Quest and Vintela products to improve ease of use for IT professionals.

The first example of this type of integration is the Quest Active Roles Support Packs for Vintela Authentication Services. These support packs, available for both ActiveRoles Direct and ActiveRoles Server, provide customers with the ability to delegate the management of attributes of Unix- and Linux-enabled users, groups or computers from within ActiveRoles. This capability is also available through the ActiveRoles web interfaces.

In addition, Quest Password Reset Manager supports the Mozilla browser, making it possible for Unix and Linux users who are members of Active Directory through Vintela Authentication Services to reset their passwords using the Quest product.

"Taken together, Vintela's products allow organizations of any size to centralize once disparate elements into a cohesive directory structure, with one authentication point and single sign-on," wrote Scott Crawford of Enterprise Management Associates in his Impact Brief, Turning Up The Management Heat: Quest Acquires Vintela. "By correctly interpreting the need and executing accordingly, Quest has established a prominent place in the industry for itself. The Vintela acquisition now brings an even more powerful force to bear."

About Quest Infrastructure Management

Quest Software, Microsoft's 2004 Global Independent Software Vendor Partner of the Year, provides solutions that simplify, automate and secure Active Directory, Exchange and Windows, as well as integrate Linux and Unix into the managed environment. Quest's Infrastructure Management products deliver comprehensive capabilities for secure management, migration and integration of the heterogeneous enterprise.

About Quest Software, Inc.

Quest Software, Inc. delivers innovative products that help organizations get more performance and productivity from their applications, databases and infrastructure. Through a deep expertise in IT operations and a continued focus on what works best, Quest helps more than 18,000 customers worldwide meet higher expectations for enterprise IT. Quest Software, headquartered in Irvine, Calif., can be found in offices around the globe and at www.quest.com.

Quest and Quest Software are registered trademarks of Quest Software, Inc. The Quest Software logo and all other Quest Software product or service names and slogans are registered trademarks or trademarks of Quest Software, Inc. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Forward Looking Statements

This release may include predictions, estimates and other information that might be considered forward-looking statements, including statements concerning the anticipated benefits of our acquisition of Vintela. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ from those anticipated as a result of various factors, including the impact of economic conditions on our customers, variations in the size and timing of customer orders; competitive products and pricing; rapid technological change; risks associated with the development and market acceptance of new products; disruptions caused by acquisitions of companies and/or technologies including risks relating to integration of the combined companies; risks associated with international operations; and the need to attract and retain qualified personnel. For a discussion of these and other related risks, please refer to our recent SEC filings, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004 and the Current Report on 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2005. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date thereof. We undertake no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date thereof.