Expert Panel Divided on Tech Mergers & Acquisitions Outlook

NEW YORK, NY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 5, 2007 --According to Ken Marlin, one of five expert panelists quoted in the Dec. 29 Wall Street Journal article, "The Year in Technology 2006," the market for tech deals will continue to be strong, but spending growth is likely to slow in 2007. The article reports that some experts see the frenetic pace of dealmaking continuing in 2007 fueled by flush buyout firms and cash-rich corporations, while others caution that a shrinking pool of attractive targets and rising prices could cool the tech M&A market.

"Rising prices are making some potential deals less attractive," said Marlin, founder and managing partner of Marlin & Associates. "There are a limited number of good companies available to be bought. We are seeing buyers become extremely selective. Potential targets that are not niche leaders or growing rapidly might get left behind."

The complete Wall Street Journal article can be found at http://online.wsj.com/page/2_1267.html?

Marlin & Associates

Founded in 2002, Marlin & Associates is a boutique investment banking and strategic consulting firm focused on providing highly strategic and specialized, transaction-related services to U.S. and international middle-market firms engaged in technology, information, on-line media and business services. The firm has offices in New York City and Washington, DC.

Marlin & Associates' professionals have advised on over 200 successfully completed transactions in the technology and information services sector.

Recently, the firm was recognized by The M&A Advisor for leading the "Financial Technology Deal of the Year." Marlin & Associates received the award for its role as the exclusive strategic and financial advisor to Brainpower N.V., in its sale to Bloomberg L.P. The M&A Advisor award winners were chosen based on the importance of the transaction, unique deal characteristics, transaction difficulty, and overall impact on the industry. Marlin & Associates was nominated for awards in three different categories.

In addition to Brainpower N.V., Marlin & Associates was the exclusive advisor to numerous technology-related firms that recently made strategic moves, including:

-- Hugin ASA of Oslo, Norway, which Marlin & Associates advised on its sale to Euronext N.V., the pan-European exchange (AMS: NXTA) (PARIS: ENX).

-- Triple Point Technology of Westport Connecticut, which Marlin & Associates advised on the sale of a majority interest to ABRY Partners, one of the most experienced and successful private equity firms in North America.

-- Cameron Systems (Vic) of Sydney, Australia, which Marlin & Associates advised on its sale to Orc Software of Stockholm, Sweden (STKM: ORC).

-- Derivative Solutions, of Chicago, which Marlin & Associates advised on its sale to FactSet Research Systems (NYSE: FDS).

-- Beauchamp Financial Technology Ltd. of London, England, which Marlin and Associates advised on its sale to Linedata Services of Paris, France (PARIS: LIN).

-- Global Securities Information, of Washington, D.C., which Marlin & Associates advised on its sale to the Thomson Corporation (NYSE: TOC).

-- Interactive Technologies, Inc. of Summit, NJ, which Marlin & Associates advised on its sale to Fiserv (NASDAQ: FISV).

-- europrospectus.com, of East Sussex, UK, which Marlin & Associates advised on its sale to FactSet Research Systems (NYSE: FDS).

For more information go to www.MarlinAndAssociates.com

Contact Information: Contact: Michael Maxworthy (646) 495-5141 Email Contact