Vicar Networks and Home Controls Announce Strategic Partnership

ATLANTA (April 26, 2002) - Vicar Networks and Home Controls, Inc. today announced a strategic partnership to deliver Internet-based Home Automation services and products. Home Controls has chosen Vicar's Vicar HomeSM application as its exclusive ASP solution, and Vicar will incorporate Home Control's online services as its exclusive fulfillment provider for digital devices that are controllable through its web-based application.

Home Controls is a leading national distributor of a wide variety of home automation, networking and control products. Homeowners will enjoy comfort, convenience, security and energy savings with the automation devices and software that Home Controls provides. Since 1989, Home Controls has been a full service distributor to homeowners and installing dealers, offering same day shipping, extensive inventory, technical support, and superior customer service.

Vicar HomeSM is a simple, affordable, web-based automation control solution. It's the first hosted application that allows customers to deploy home automation with remote access using a standard PC. Customers can access their home systems through any standard U.S. cell phone or web browser by simply installing the software that automatically synchronizes with web-based tools through a broadband connection. Vicar HomeSM was selected as one of three finalists in the CEA's Mark of Excellence Awards.

"We're excited about this partnership because it makes home automation and fulfillment services available to the mass market," says Robert Donner, President of Atlanta-based Vicar Networks. "Home automation and energy management continue to grow in demand as it becomes more affordable and less complicated for the average homeowner. What previously has been relegated to high-end households is now available in a simple and easy-to-deploy manner for anyone with a PC and a broadband connection. Home Controls provides the necessary billing, shipping, and customer support needed to make the offering practical."

The partnership will allow Vicar HomeSM users to purchase controls for their lights, appliances, HVAC systems, sprinkler systems, entertainment systems, as well as cameras, security products and various other devices directly from within the application. Customers can purchase the application from the Home Controls web site. Home Controls will handle all product fulfillments as well end-user customer support through its California-based distribution center.

"This partnership helps us deploy the quality services our customers have come to appreciate from us. We offer one of the widest selections of home automation and energy management devices in the industry. By integrating the Vicar HomeSM application, we provide our customers with an easy-to-use, web-based control service that offers the added benefit of continuous remote access through the web or any cell phone. It also helps us to distribute more product as end-users gain the ability to scale up simply and easily," says Ken Kerr, President of Home Controls.

Home Controls, Inc. (www.homecontrols.com) distributes automation products nationwide through online and print catalogues. It's a leading distributor for a variety of preferred brand-name devices manufactured by companies worldwide.

Vicar NetworksSM (www.vicarnetworks.com) develops Remote Device Management (RDM) gateway software and services. With its open architecture and cross-platform design, Vicar offers utilities the opportunity to deploy a host of services using third party devices. Vicar facilitates cross-protocol communication so devices of different brands can communicate to control HVAC, Lighting, Security, Entertainment, Information, and other appliances and systems from remote locations. Customers have the added benefit of accessing devices from any remote location that has Internet or cell phone access. Its remote access extends to every US cellular carrier on most every cell phone with text-messaging capability.