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EXHIBIT 1
APERIAN TO ACQUIRE OUTERNET
AUSTIN, TEXAS, JULY 17, 2000 -- Aperian [Nasdaq: APRN], a leader in providing
managed services and scalable bandwidth for content-intensive e-businesses,
today announced that it has signed an agreement to acquire OuterNet, a privately
held professional services firm specializing in Internet and network services.
The acquisition, subject to approval by OuterNet shareholders, is expected to be
completed within 30 days.
Under the agreement, OuterNet will become a division of Aperian,
initially operating under the OuterNet name. OuterNet shareholders will receive
one million shares of Aperian stock in the transaction. OuterNet, which has been
operating in Austin since 1994, currently serves approximately 300 customers.
With the acquisition of OuterNet, Aperian can offer customers an
advanced level of professional services, such as network design, systems
administration, and security auditing. These services are particularly important
for e-businesses looking to save costs by outsourcing their end-to-end
infrastructure management.
"Aperian's goal is to provide the highest level of professional
services and reliability for our customers. OuterNet's value-added services are
a key ingredient for meeting that goal," said Robert J. Gibbs, Aperian president
and chief executive officer. "OuterNet CEO Mike Erwin, who will serve as
Aperian's vice president of professional services, is a recognized industry
leader within the field of Internet services. His experience, combined with the
excellent staff of employees that he has built, will allow us to continue our
rapid growth rate and expand our product offerings."
"We are excited about the potential for future growth as we join forces
with Aperian," added OuterNet's Erwin. "This natural combination of skills
allows us to leverage the qualities of both companies in a more powerful
business. Together we form a stronger and even more competitive infrastructure
services company that can offer greater benefits for our customers."
ABOUT APERIAN
MSI Holdings, Inc. dba Aperian (Nasdaq:APRN) enables scalable
growth for content-intensive e-businesses by providing latest-generation
broadband capabilities and turnkey application infrastructure. Through strategic
alliances with Genuity (Nasdaq:GENU) and MCI WorldCom (Nasdaq:WCOM), Aperian
offers unique direct access to the Internet backbone via its Direct Optical
Co-location Connection (DOCCTM) technology. In addition, Aperian provides
value-added services that allow web-centric businesses to deliver a reliable and
efficient web site experience to their end users. Aperian is an end-to-end Cisco
(Nasdaq:CSCO) Powered Network. Aperian has been certified for network
architecture, security architecture, and facilities design by GTE/BBN
Technologies. Information about Aperian and its services can be found on the
World Wide Web at www.aperian.com.
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ABOUT OUTERNET
Headquartered in Austin, Texas, OuterNet Connection Strategies
Incorporated is a technical network services firm providing business customers a
variety of world class Internet products and services. Products and services
provided by OuterNet include high-speed commercial Internet connectivity, online
banking and commerce services, network design, and co-location of Internet and
network servers. OuterNet serves the growing market of outsourced Internet
network services and is a recognized industry leader. Information about OuterNet
can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.outer.net.
# # #
The statements made by Aperian (the Company) may be forward-looking in nature.
Actual results may differ materially from those projected in forward-looking
statements. Aperian believes that its primary risk factors include, but are not
limited to: the need for substantial financial requirements; the need to develop
effective internal processes and systems; the ability to attract and retain high
quality employees; changes in the overall economy; changes in technology; the
number and size of competitors in its markets; changes in the law and regulatory
policy; and the mix of product and services offered in the company's target
markets. The statements and opinions presented here represent the views of the
Company.
Aperian disclaims any proprietary interest in the marks and names of others.
