Quest moves into FastLane

Quest Software Inc., a provider of software for managing business-critical

applications, recently acquired FastLane Technologies Inc. in a move designed

to offer government and industry a new choice in Windows 2000 deployment

and management.

FastLane, a producer of directory management software for Microsoft

Corp. platforms, has an impressive list of federal customers, including

the Navy, the Army, the Air Force, the Internal Revenue Service and the

Social Security Administration.

The acquisition enables Quest to offer enterprise deployments and ongoing

management of Windows 2000. It immediately makes the Irvine, Calif.-based

company a player in the Microsoft systems management market, said Vincent

Smith, Quest chairman and chief executive officer.

"Government agencies and subcontractors will be deploying Windows 2000

and Active Directory over the next couple of years. [That's] a major but

essential undertaking in order to prepare for Exchange 2000 — a business-critical

messaging application," said Scott Harlin, public relations manager for

Quest Software. "Exchange 2000 will not operate without a fully and properly

deployed Windows 2000 and Active Directory implementation."

Under terms of the agreement, Quest will acquire privately held FastLane

for a combination of cash and stock totaling about $100 million. The deal

should be complete by the end of this month or early August. FastLane, based

in Ottawa, Ontario, will operate as a separate division of Quest once the

purchase is completed.