The Carlyle Group and Novak Biddle Venture Partners Launch Command Information, a New Company Addressing Fortune 1000 and Government Customers' Migration to the Next Generation of the Internet

Washington, DC – Global private equity firm The Carlyle Group and leading early stage investment firm Novak Biddle Venture Partners today announced that they have created a new company, Command Information which provides Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) strategy, tactical direction and product development services to Fortune 1000 and Government customers. IPv6 is the next generation Internet protocol designed to replace the current version, IPv4, greatly expanding the use of the Internet in our lives. Financial terms were not disclosed. The two firms join Blue Water Capital as investors in the new entity.

Immediately following the establishment of this company, Command Information merged with Herndon, Virginia-based Digital Focus, a leading provider of custom application software and services. Digital Focus helps large firms build custom solutions to improve business performance, reduce costs and maximize IT investment. Digital Focus will remain fully intact, operating as a Command Information company.

Charles O. Rossotti, Carlyle Senior Advisor, said, “IPv6 is vital to the future competitiveness of industry and government. We have invested in Command Information to help organizations realize the benefits that come from this next-generation technology. Under Tom and Jim’s leadership, we will acquire key business units and rapidly develop Command Information to become the largest pure-play IPv6 solutions company in America.”

Tom Patterson, former chief strategist of e-Commerce at IBM, will be Command Information’s Chief Executive Officer. Jim Ungerleider, a former executive with American Management Systems, will serve as President and Chief Operating Officer of the new Herndon, VA-based company.

Tom Patterson said, “IPv6 is important to the growth of our global information-based economy and I’m pleased that such high-caliber investors as The Carlyle Group and Novak Biddle have recognized this fast growing market early in its life-cycle.”

“Command Information’s leadership team brings tremendous energy and deep expertise to a highly specialized, niche industry. The company is well positioned to attract the best and brightest talent and to smoothly transition the government and the private sector from the finite capabilities of IPv4 to the expansive promise of IPv6,” said Tom Scholl, Novak Biddle Venture Partner and Command Information board member. “We believe the market environment is conducive to the establishment of this multi-faceted solutions provider as the demand for IPv6 gains momentum globally and in the U.S.,” Scholl added.

IPv6 is the next generation Internet protocol. In simplest terms, Internet protocol is the set of techniques used by organizations and individuals to transmit data over the Internet. IPv6 was designed to replace the current version, IPv4, and will bring superior reliability, flexibility and security to the internet. IPv6 will have a dramatic impact in corporate security, mobility, supply chain management and other key business functions worldwide.

Background on Tom Patterson and Jim Ungerleider

Tom Patterson is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Command Information and a business advisor in the areas of security, technology and governance. Most recently, he founded the IPv6 Business Council and published a critically acclaimed book, Mapping Security, on information security, privacy and governance around the world.

Mr. Patterson has been the Partner in charge of security operations for Deloitte in Europe, the Middle East and Africa, the Managing Director of KPMG/BearingPoint’s global managed services business, and IBM's Chief Strategist for electronic commerce. He has served as a Board Member for several public companies, has advised all three branches of the U.S. government on Internet and security policy, and is an advisor to company executives across the globe.

Jim Ungerleider is a proven business leader in the areas of professional services, Productization, and complete end-user solutions. As one of the original members of the American Management Systems (AMS) leadership team, Jim has gone on to lead large global divisions and companies. Jim is responsible for all business operations, and is an Executive Member of the board of directors.

Novak Biddle Venture Partners is a leading early stage venture capital firm focused on unique, cutting-edge technology investments in the Eastern United States, as well as targeted opportunities nationwide. With over $350 million under management, Novak Biddle operates four venture funds that currently provide equity financing and management assistance to 31 portfolio companies. Novak Biddle continues to seek business situations where the combination of ideas, dollars, experience, and relationships can create long term, sustainable value. A sampling of companies funded by Novak Biddle include: RFID first-mover Matrics, voice over IP trailblazer Telogy, education technology leader Blackboard Inc. and intelligent video surveillance pioneer ObjectVideo. For more information, visit www.novakbiddle.com/ .

Command Information is the leading IPv6 Solutions provider, offering strategy, tactical direction and application development services for Fortune 1000 companies and government organizations seeking to move to the fast-emerging new version of Internet protocol.  The Herndon, VA-based company focuses on six areas: IPv6 strategy, application development, application and infrastructure security, mobile convergence and telematics, business and information strategy, and network architecture and implementation.