PRESS INFORMATION

Goteborg, Sweden
31 March 2009

Hill-Rom and Ascom Increase Partnering Opportunities

New solution with Nurse Call communication system increases efficiency and effectiveness

Research Triangle Park, NC, and Batesville, Ind. – March 31, 2009 – Ascom and Hill-Rom announce the development of several new modules for Ascom and Hill-Rom IT Solutions’ products. These modules should enable hospitals to more cost-effectively and rapidly roll out unified communication solutions to caregivers and staff.

Ascom and Hill-Rom have just completed integration and interoperability testing to Hill-Rom’s new NaviCare® platform utilizing Ascom’s UNITE Messaging Suite. Hill-Rom’s NaviCare® platform is a standards-based, services-oriented architecture that supports communication and data connectivity in the clinical setting, ultimately saving time and steps for caregivers as well as enhancing patient safety. The first solution introduced on this enhanced platform is Hill-Rom’s NaviCare® Nurse Call. Ascom and Hill-Rom also have jointly funded the development of integration for Hill-Rom’s legacy nurse call system in order to provide the same benefits and capabilities.

Hill-Rom and Ascom offer solutions within the health care environment to improve work flow and streamline operations of employees throughout a hospital. One way work flow improvements are realized is through sending automated text messages and alerts directly to caregivers and staff using hand held devices. This process enables staff to immediately act upon the alert wherever they are. Hill-Rom has been successful in providing hospitals with a complete connectivity solution using Ascom handsets because they specifically handle both voice and two-way messaging with large displays and soft keys.

“Ascom helps us extend the benefits and functionality of our IT Solutions’ applications,” said

Eric McDonald, director, Wireless Business Unit for Hill-Rom IT Solutions. “Caregivers need devices that are multi-purpose and can integrate easily with Nurse Call and other clinical systems. Ascom handsets make this easy with large displays and context sensitive soft keys for acknowledging, escalating or sending information back to the system.”

“Ascom is delighted to strengthen its partnership with Hill-Rom,” said Tom McKearney, executive vice president of Marketing and Business Development for Ascom. “Both of our organizations understand the importance of providing solutions that improve workflow and ultimately provide increased patient safety and satisfaction. Our sales organizations are fully committed to working together to provide the best integrated voice and messaging solutions to hospitals throughout North America.”

Hill-Rom has been a Strategic Certified Solution Partner (S-CSP) with Ascom for the past two years and has progressively won more and more business with the Ascom FreeNET VoWiFi, Freeset IP-DECT and UNITE Messaging Suite. Ascom (US) Inc. is committed to distributing its solutions through a select group of S-CSP’s, Master Distributors (MDs) and Value Add Distributors (VADs) throughout North America.

For more information please contact:

Media Contact Ascom:
Tom McKearney, 919-234-2507, Tom.McKearney@ascomwireless.com

Media Contact Hill-Rom:
Lauren Green-Caldwell, 812-934-8692, lauren.green-caldwell@hill-rom.com

Investor Contact Hill-Rom:
Andy Rieth, 812-931-2199, andy.rieth@hill-rom.com

ÜBER ASCOM
Ascom ist ein internationaler Lösungsanbieter mit umfassendem Technologie-Know-how in Mission-Critical Communication. Das Unternehmen fokussiert sich auf die Bereiche Wireless Solutions (hochstehende, kundenspezifische On-site-Kommunikationslösungen) und Network Testing (ein weltweiter Marktführer für Test- und Optimierungslösungen von Mobilfunknetzen). Das Unternehmen mit Sitz in der Schweiz ist mit Niederlassungen in 20 Ländern vertreten und beschäftigt weltweit rund 2'300 Mitarbeitende. Die Ascom Namenaktien (Symbol ASCN) sind an der SIX Swiss Exchange in Zürich (Schweiz) kotiert.

This document does not constitute an offer or solicitation to subscribe for, purchase or sell any securities. This document is not being issued in the United States of America or the United Kingdom and should not be distributed in any jurisdiction in a manner where such distribution would not comply with regulatory requirements. In particular, this document may not be distributed into the United States, to United States persons or to publications with a general circulation in the United States. In addition, the securities of Ascom have not been and will not be registered in any jurisdiction outside Switzerland. The securities of Ascom may not be offered, sold or delivered and no solicitation to purchase such securities may be made within the United States or to U.S. persons absent an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the United States securities laws or within any other jurisdiction and in a manner where such offer, sale, delivery or solicitation might not be in compliance with regulatory requirements (including the United Kingdom).