MINNEAPOLIS, MN--(Marketwired - Apr 15, 2013) - Transition Networks Inc. ([ www.transition.com/ ]), the fiber access technology expert, a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: [ JCS ]) ([ www.commsystems.com/ ]), today announced the release of Converge™ 1.1 Element and Service Management System. Converge™ 1.1 adds a comprehensive CE 2.0 service management suite for quick and efficient provisioning of end-to-end Carrier Ethernet services. The rapid service activation uses service templates built with predefined service definitions for EPL, EVPL, E-LAN, and EVP-LAN services, in addition to custom service offerings. Converge™ EMS 1.1 drastically accelerates the service turn-up, helping to significantly reduce a service provider's time-to-revenue or time-to-service. Converge™ EMS addresses the needs of our customers deploying CE 2.0 services, bringing simplicity to the provisioning and monitoring of services.

"With this release of Converge EMS, Transition Networks recognizes the value of adding a simpler way to manage functionality with the intent of making Service Providers lives easier," said Jon Collins - Sr. Product Manager at Transition Networks. "Service providers will benefit tremendusly by dramatically reducing the number of operational tasks and the cost associated with managing a complex Carrier Ethernet network."

Key Product Features
As part of the complete lifecycle, Converge ™ EMS 1.1 includes an on demand and proactive OAM fault performance management with service based performance statistics in both real-time and historical measurements. Converge™ 1.1 helps Service Providers offer differentiated services from a catalog of granular service offerings, which can be easily created using service templates. This also includes the automation of Service Centric OAM setups in Converge™ with point-and-click loopback, linktrace, Service OAM and real-time Fault and Performance monitoring to make it easy for Service providers to monitor their networks and assure their customers of SLA Compliance.

One Simple Solution
Transition Networks understands the complexity of your network and the operational expenses associated with its management, which can account for up to 80% of your budget. Converge™ helps to abstract the simplicity and reduce the complexity out of today's multi-vendor management systems with a seamless integration into your existing front and back office B-OSS or NMS systems. This interoperability within a multi-vendor ecosystem is assured through our open service provisioning and operations APIs and the implementation of MEF Standard CE 2.0 service definitions. Converge's™ open service API's are critical for easy service creation and the unified delivery of network services and when used with Transition Networks' network interface devices have been shown to save an average of 44% on OpEx costs and an average CapEx savings of 35%. This simplified networking approach allows for automated provisioning of complex end-to-end tasks and a centralized point for service activation testing.

Product Availability
Please contact Transition Networks at (800) 526-9267 or +1-952-941-7600 for pricing and more information on CONVERGE™ EMS. Or visit [ www.transition.com/EMS ] for the latest product information, including datasheets and manuals.

About Transition Networks Carrier-Grade Products
Transition Networks has achieved international recognition as a major manufacturer of high-quality access and backhaul equipment for data communications and telecommunications applications. Transition has been a long-time active member of the MEF and a pontificator for the proliferation of Ethernet technology in Carrier access networks. Transition Networks has achieved Carrier Ethernet 2.0 certification and has previously achieved Carrier Ethernet Generation 1.0 certification (MEF 9, 14, and 21).

About Transition NetworksInc.
Transition Networks Inc. is a top manufacturer of high quality access and backhaul equipment for data communications and telecommunications applications. Based in Minneapolis, Transition Networks distributes hardware-based connectivity solutions exclusively through a network of resellers in 50 countries, including Ingram Micro and Tech Data. Transition Networks is a wholly owned subsidiary of Communications Systems, Inc., a publicly traded company (NASDAQ: [ JCS ]).

Statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in 2013 are forward-looking and involve risks and uncertainties, including but not limited to: competitive products and other factors discussed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.