WASHINGTON, D.C., August 21, 2002 - Bantu, Inc., the leading provider of secure, web based instant messaging and presence solutions, announced today that it has teamed with WebEx Communications, Inc. the leader in Web infrastructure for business communications, to embed seamless access to WebEx's communications services into the Bantu IM and Presence platform. The integration enables Bantu users to easily launch interactive WebEx sessions directly from the Bantu IM and presence platform.

"Bantu provides persistent desktop presence that directly complements WebEx's visual communications services," said Praful Shah, Vice President of Strategic Communications at WebEx Communications. "Bantu customers can use presence information to initiate a WebEx meeting with their colleagues at a moments notice, increasing collaboration and productivity across the enterprise."

Bantu integrates presence (the ability to see who's online) and instant messaging (real-time text communication) into virtually any software or Web-based service. Using the WebEx Interactive Platform's application programming interface (API), Bantu has developed a means for users of the Bantu system to create, host and attend WebEx meetings directly from their contact list or an active message session. The registration of users on the WebEx Network can also be tied directly to a Bantu registration event, allowing users to move between the two communications sessions without re-entering login information. Additionally, the Bantu alerting engine can be used to deliver interactive notifications to give users a direct path to scheduled or ad-hoc WebEx meetings. Using Bantu's IM and Presence tools, users will be able to see immediately if their associates are online and available to instantly enter into a WebEx session. This makes it faster and easier to launch and join Web-based meetings, and it will improve communications for geographically dispersed work groups, real-time document sharing, client meetings, distance training, and more.

"Our relationship with WebEx teams Bantu with another strong leader in the real-time collaboration market," said Dave Basil, Vice President, Sales and Marketing, Bantu. "By working together, we offer users a full complement of interactive communication tools to select from and use to get their work done. The integration augments both companies' platforms and helps our business customers increase communication and collaboration with colleagues, partners, and customers, increasing productivity."

Additional information on the WebEx integration option is available by visiting www.bantu.com or calling 1-(800) 515-2432.

About Bantu, Inc.: \ban' too\ 1 : Ancient root language of the African people; 2 : Washington, D.C.-based leader in secure, business-grade Instant Messaging and Presence solutions. The Bantu IM & Presence Platform enhances communication and collaboration in industries such as financial services, telecommunications, government and education. Bantu is secure, platform-independent, interoperable, and it easily integrates into any application or service. Bantu's customers and partners include Blackboard, Citrix, The George Washington University, Johns Hopkins University, SAIC, Sprint and the U.S. Army. (www.bantu.com)

About WebEx Communications, Inc. Founded in 1996, WebEx Communications, Inc. is the leader in Internet infrastructure for interactive business communications. WebEx provides Web-based carrier-class communication services using its multimedia switching platform deployed over a global network. WebEx's services enable end-users to share presentations, documents, applications, voice and video spontaneously in a seamless environment. WebEx's services are used across the enterprise in sales, support, training, marketing, engineering, and various other functions. With its modular framework, standards-based APIs and unique MediaTone technology, WebEx's multimedia communications platform is the "dial-tone" for meetings on the Web. Please call toll free (877) 509-3239 or visit http://www.webex.com for more information.

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Bantu is a trademark (™) of Bantu, Inc. All other product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned for identification purposes only.