TMWD Tumbleweed Communications Corp (MM)

Tumbleweed� Communications Corp. (NASDAQ:TMWD), an industry leader in managed file transfer and email security, today unveiled the Lead-to-Deal Lifecycle program, which is designed to spur the continued growth of the Tumbleweed Alliance Program (TAP). The Lead-to-Deal Lifecycle is a fully integrated component of the TAP and is designed to support and reward partners at every step of the sales cycle � including post-sale customer satisfaction. Designed in collaboration with several partners who piloted an initial program at the end of 2007, the newly minted Lead-to-Deal Lifecycle provides easy-to-use opportunity registration and lucrative margins, as well as new levels of support that help ensure both partner and customer success. Premiere partners who participate in the Lead-to-Deal Lifecycle program receive world-class technical support free of charge and can fast-track their customer support requests. �The Lead-to-Deal Lifecycle program is the best I have seen in a very long time,� said Dave Mast, Sales and Marketing Manager with Precision Computer Services. �This program is going to get our guys excited and drive new business.� With a focus on becoming a channel-driven sales organization, Tumbleweed developed the Lead-to-Deal Lifecycle program to quickly and cost-effectively recruit and enable partners. Partners and their reps are rewarded at every step � from referring a lead and registering a deal, all the way through to closing a deal. In addition, those that register an opportunity still receive margin protection � even if the deal is lost to a different partner. Finally, Tumbleweed�s exceptional technical and customer support helps ensure customer satisfaction and success. �Our channel program is getting more traction each day � our differentiated products and programs are drawing star partners, and we are seeing significant booking momentum as a result,� said �channel chief� David Harris, vice president of worldwide channels at Tumbleweed. �As we continue to invest in our partners� success with programs like our Lead-to-Deal Lifecycle, I am confident that we will continue to see record gains � and so will our partners. In fact, several have already told us that we were their biggest growth vendors last quarter in both revenue and margin. Our commitment to building mutually-beneficial partner relationships is stronger than ever.� Tumbleweed shifted to a more aggressive channel model in mid-2007, resulting in impressive gains for the year and pivotal growth between Q3 and Q4. Tumbleweed�s channel partners delivered 37% of non-renewal commercial bookings for the full year of 2007, compared to 19% in 2006. Following the re-launch of the TAP in July, partner bookings doubled from Q3 to Q4, and 48% of non-renewal commercial bookings in Q4 were driven through the channel. Additionally, with the partner program in place, Tumbleweed saw a greater number of bookings among small- to mid-sized enterprises � and a 31% increase over 2006. This is a trend Tumbleweed expects to continue. As organizations mature and regulatory pressures move down market, there exist large pockets of opportunity for Tumbleweed�s suite of differentiated products, notably the managed file transfer product SecureTransport�. More information about the Tumbleweed Alliance Program qualifications and details on the Lead-to-Deal program can be found at the Tumbleweed Web site at http://www.tumbleweed.com/partners/leads-to-deal/. SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT Tumbleweed cautions that forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on plans and expectations as of the date of the press release, and that a number of factors could cause the actual results to differ materially from the guidance given at this time. These factors are described in the Safe Harbor statement below. Except for the historical information contained herein, the matters discussed in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected, particularly with respect to the benefits and program details of the Tumbleweed Alliance Program (TAP), as well as bookings growth for Tumbleweed and members of the TAP program. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as �may,� �will,� �should,� �potential,� �continue,� �expects,� �anticipates,� �intends,� �plans,� �believes,� �estimates,� and similar expressions. For further cautions about the risks of investing in Tumbleweed, we refer you to the documents Tumbleweed files from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission, particularly Tumbleweed�s Form 10-K filed March 17, 2008. Tumbleweed assumes no obligation to update information contained in this press release. Although this release may remain available on Tumbleweed�s website or elsewhere, its continued availability does not indicate that Tumbleweed is reaffirming or confirming any of the information contained herein. About Tumbleweed Tumbleweed Communications Corp. (NASDAQ:TMWD), an industry leader in managed file transfer and email security, provides enterprise-class solutions to organizations of all sizes. Tumbleweed�s innovative products enable organizations to effectively manage and protect business-critical Internet communications, with capabilities that span secure file transfer, email encryption, data loss prevention, and email security. Tumbleweed has more than 3,200 customers worldwide, including blue-chip companies across an array of industries such as Technology, Retail, Finance, Healthcare, Manufacturing, Consumer Packaged Goods, Telecom, Energy, and the U.S. Government. The world�s most security conscious organizations rely upon Tumbleweed technology including Bank of America Securities, JP Morgan Chase & Co., the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and the U.S. Department of Defense. Our award-winning products build on 15 years of R&D and 27 security patents in the U.S. alone � many of which are licensed by other security vendors. More information can be found at www.tumbleweed.com. Tumbleweed and SecureTransport are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Tumbleweed Communications Corp. in the United States and/or other countries. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.