Avistar's CEO Simon Moss commented, "Eli MurrayMetzger has beeninstrumental in the turnaround of Avistar. He has been a cornerstone to thesuccessful remedying of the very difficult challenges we faced -- fromapplying discipline and rigor to our cost controls, implementing effective andtransparent operational financial reporting and maintaining intense focus onthe firm's margins. I am therefore delighted to announce that Eli has beenpromoted to the role of Acting CFO. His primary objectives will support thecorporate objectives of 2009 -- corporate margin improvement, bottom linemaximization and streamlining the booking to cash cycle. We have an excellentfourth quarter to report and a very bullish 2009 ahead of us and I lookforward to Eli's helping us move the firm forward."

MurrayMetzger brings to Avistar more than 11 years of experience infinancial management, regulatory compliance and operations at technologyorganizations. Prior to joining Avistar, MurrayMetzger served as AssistantController of Centra Software, Inc., a provider of software solutions foronline business communication, collaboration and learning. During his tenureat Centra from April 2004 to January 2006, MurrayMetzger successfullynavigated the company's Sarbanes-Oxley compliance effort and all SEC reportingand compliance functions as the company reached profitability and was sold toSaba, Inc. in February 2006.

"Eli's proven track record in building and managing timely, accuratefinancial operations for global organizations will be instrumental as Avistarpositions itself for sustained growth," said Moss. "My team and I look forwardto working with Eli to maintain the disciplined approach to financialmanagement and operational focus across our business that showed such promiseduring 2008. Given the importance of the role, Eli will be the Acting CFO fora three month review period to ensure that everything we need to continue ourgrowth is in place. No executive search will be undertaken. At the same time,our team would like to thank Bob Habig for his great contribution to Avistarand wish him continued success in his new role."

Prior to Centra, MurrayMetzger worked for the technology audit practice ofPricewaterhouseCoopers from February 2000 to March 2004. He is a CertifiedPublic Accountant and has a Bachelor of Science in Agribusiness with aconcentration in finance from California Polytechnic State University, SanLuis Obispo.

"Avistar has a tremendous opportunity to expand its global footprint ascompanies look at how to more effectively manage travel costs to address thecurrent economic climate and maintain a competitive advantage utilizingAvistar's rich media communications desktop videoconferencing andcollaboration products," MurrayMetzger said. "We have done some amazing thingsin positioning this company for the future and I look forward to helping toaccelerate the next phase of growth with world-class products, customers andemployees."

About Avistar Communications Corporation

Avistar (Nasdaq: AVSR) is a leader in desktop video communications,providing proven business-class technology. Avistar's desktopvideoconferencing installations include more than 100,000 committed desktopseats worldwide, bringing together business users any time and any place.Companies such as IBM Corp., Sony Corp., LifeSize Communications, Inc., andPolycom Inc. use Avistar technology to power their unified communicationssolutions. Avistar works with leading-edge technology partners and resellersincluding CityIS, Beyondis, and Fontel in more than 40 countries. For moreinformation, go to http://www.avistar.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

The statements made in this press release that are not historical factsare "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements, include,but are not limited to, statements regarding Avistar's financial results forthe fourth quarter of 2008 and fiscal 2009 and growth in Avistar's business.Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptionsthat are subject to risks and uncertainties. The company cautions readers ofthis press release that a number of important factors could cause actualfuture events and results to differ materially from those expressed in anysuch forward-looking statements. Such factors include, without limitation, asAvistar's lengthy sales cycle, volatility associated with Avistar's sales andlicensing activities, market acceptance of Avistar's products, increasedcompetition in the market for unified communications, technical challengesassociated with product development, ongoing technological developments andchanging industry standards and challenges associated with protecting andlicensing Avistar's intellectual property. These important factors and otherfactors that potentially could cause actual future results to differmaterially from current expectations are described in our filings with the SEC,including the company's most recent annual report on Form 10-K, quarterlyreport on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Readers of this pressrelease are referred to such filings. The forward-looking statements in thispress release are based upon information available to the company as of thedate of the release, and the company assumes no obligation to update any suchforward-looking statements.

SOURCE Avistar Communications Corporation