Copyright © 2002 NLThomas
All Rights Reserved

STILWELL, OK - XETA Technologies (NASDAQ: XETA) announced today that it has established a strategic alliance with Cherokee Nation Industries (CNI). This alliance enables XETA to participate in the multi-billion dollar Federal set-aside program for Hub Zone, 8A designation and Corporate Minority Diversity projects.

"I would like to acknowledge the entrepreneurial spirit and cooperation among Cherokee Nation Industries, Avaya and XETA Technologies which allowed us to establish this creative alliance", stated Larry Patterson, Senior Vice President of Sales and Services for XETA. "This agreement opens up new market opportunities for all of us and enables each of us to significantly expand our Federal Government marketing initiatives. From a customer perspective, it also provides the Federal Government with a qualified, single-source supplier for their communications-related, set-aside program needs", Patterson said.

"Building a strategic alliance with XETA is a natural expansion for CNI's current telecommunications division", said David Stewart, President and CEO of CNI. "The agreement also provides higher-tech jobs for our people. This strategic alliance will give CNI access to quality communications products and services and will provide XETA with a new contracting vehicle as government contract opportunities arise", Stewart said.

"Avaya believes this alliance will benefit everyone involved: the Cherokee Nation will benefit through additional employment opportunities; XETA will have new avenues to pursue their professional goals of providing communication solutions to the government and Avaya will gain access to new market opportunities", stated Sue Padalino, Federal Channel Sales Director, Government Solutions for Avaya. "We are pleased to engage in a business arrangement that will benefit the Cherokee Nation and will strengthen our on-going relationship with XETA Technologies."

About XETA Technologies

XETA Technologies is a leading communications integrator with sales and service locations nationwide. XETA has grown from being the lodging industry’s leading provider of call accounting solutions to a major national integrator of enterprise communications solutions. Through internal growth and corporate acquisitions, XETA is positioned to serve and lead the growing market of converged communications network solutions for voice and data applications. XETA is also building upon its success as one of the largest integrators of Avaya voice and data systems, serving national business clients in sales, consulting, engineering, project management, installation and service. As proven technologies come to the market place, XETA is at the forefront of providing communication solutions and consulting services that support such platforms as Microsoft Exchange 2000 and the growing demand for Unified Messaging and Voice-over Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications.

XETA Technologies was recently named to the Fortune Small Business magazine’s Top 100 Fastest-Growing Companies list. XETA was also recognized by Fortune magazine as one of the 100 Fastest-Growing Companies in the United States. XETA has been named numerous times to the Forbes list of the Best 200 Small Companies in America and twice to BusinessWeek’s Top 100 Hot Growth Companies. For more information on XETA Technologies, visit the Company’s website.

About Cherokee Nation Industries

Cherokee Nation Industries, Inc., a tribally owned corporation of the Cherokee Nation, headquartered in Stilwell, Oklahoma, is comprised of distribution, medical services, telecommunications and environmental divisions, a cable and wire harness and electronic component assembly manufacturing facility. CNI was incorporated in 1969 to serve as the economic and workforce development arm for the tribe. The company has 365 employees worldwide and over 30 years contracting and distribution experience in the aerospace, defense and telecommunication industries. For more information on Cherokee Nation Industries, visit the Company’s website.

About Avaya

Avaya Inc., headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., is a leading global provider of voice and data networks as well as communications solutions and services that help businesses, government agencies and other institutions, including more than 90 percent of the FORTUNE 500 ®, excel in the customer economy. Avaya offers Customer Relationship Management Solutions, Unified Communication Solutions, Service Provider Solutions, MultiService Networking Infrastructure, and Converged Voice and Data Networks - including the company's no-compromise Avaya Enterprise-Class IP Solutions (ECLIPS) - all supported by Avaya Services and Avaya Labs. Avaya is the worldwide leader in unified messaging, messaging systems, call centers and structured cabling systems. It is the U.S. leader in voice communications systems and services. Avaya is an official sponsor for the 2002 FIFA World Cup™, the FIFA Women's World Cup 2003 and the 2006 FIFA World Cup™ tournaments. For more information about visit Avaya online.