AT&T Launches Application Service Provider Platform
Cisco, EMC, HP, IBM and Sun Support Network Services Provider 'Ecosystem' for ASPs
WASHINGTON, Jan. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- At ComNet 2000, AT&T (NYSE: T - news) announced ``Ecosystem for ASPs,' a network services platform with a comprehensive co-marketing and distribution program that will enable Application Services Providers to quickly and easily deliver high-performing and reliable network-based applications. Building on its existing Internet assets, AT&T also introduced a new, intelligent content distribution service, as well as enterprise information storage services as elements of the new platform.
The hosted applications will reside in AT&T's network and help businesses eliminate the costly overhead associated with managing complex software applications. These applications range from packages for small and mid-sized businesses up to enterprise-wide manufacturing and supply chain management applications.
The ASP co-marketing program allows ASPs to leverage the power of AT&T's brand through multiple levels of co-marketing support. Additionally, qualified ASPs will be able to market and promote a broad range of AT&T Internet services in their offers.
``It's simple. The network is the environment for business,' said Kathleen Earley, president AT&T Data and Internet Services. ``We're targeting about $250 million of our current infrastructure investments to enable this critical segment of the Internet marketplace to grow and flourish.'
``Sun has been a leader in the drive to make network-based applications and services as reliable as dial tone, as demonstrated by our SunTone(SM) certification program that offers a branded mark of quality for service providers,' said Ed Zander, president and chief operating officer, Sun Microsystems, Inc. ``The entry of AT&T into the ASP services market clearly demonstrates the momentum of remotely-hosted applications for both small and large businesses. AT&T has for many years been one of our most
important customers and partners, with Sun Starfire servers being used for mission-critical data center functions. Now, Sun looks forward to working with AT&T to help it establish comprehensive AT&T centers that will use Sun technology to ensure optimal application performance and reliability.'
AT&T Ecosystem for ASPs
The new infrastructure enhancements AT&T is adding to its core network to build the Ecosystem for ASPs address their need for intelligent content distribution and managed storage services. In particular these services will provide the following:
AT&T Intelligent Content Distribution
-- Accelerates website performance through caching and optimal server
selection with technology from AT&T Labs as well InfoLibria, Inktomi
and Novell.
-- Improves site reliability by reducing single point-of-failure
vulnerabilities.
-- Provides scalable capacity on demand to protect against unexpected
spikes in site traffic.
-- Available today in controlled introduction.
AT&T Enterprise Storage Services
-- Protects and manages customer data with intelligent enterprise storage
systems at AT&T's Internet Data Centers.
-- Technology provided by EMC -- an industry leader for enterprise
storage systems, software, networks and services.
-- Fully managed storage services available in select Internet Data
Centers by March delivered in conjunction with StorageNetworks.
Facilities for Testing Applications
-- Sun Competency Centers will be available to AT&T under this program.
ASPs will have the facilities for benchmarking, tuning, sizing,
capacity-planning and testing of application suites.
-- ASPs will also be able to take advantage of the benefits of the
SunTone program. SunTone identifies applications that have been
specifically designed and architected for quality delivery over the
Web in the applications hosting model.
Along with its relationships with leading technology suppliers, AT&T's customer list includes a number of top flight Internet companies including Adero, Akamai and Digital Island.
``Fast, continuous access and available, reliable information are the two critical elements of any successful Internet infrastructure,' said Mike Ruettgers, chief executive officer at EMC Corporation. ``By marrying bleeding edge network technology with the world's leading information storage solutions, AT&T's Intelligent Content Distribution and Enterprise Storage Services will provide ASPs with quick, consistent access to the information that is their business.'
The AT&T Ecosystem for ASPs is built on a foundation of core data and IP infrastructure resources:
AT&T's Internet Data Centers (26 centers planned for hosting and co-location services).
OC-48/OC-192 IP backbone.
A complete portfolio of broadband services for businesses including DSL which is available in more than 50 markets.
A broad portfolio of private label and virtual Internet Service Provider offers.
A continuum of VPN offers with access to 2000 dial POPs around the world.
Value added design and implementation professional services from AT&T Solutions.
Monitoring and management services to ensure end-user performance and content delivery.
These assets will provide ASPs with an unprecedented way to deliver secure, high performing and reliable access to hosted applications. ``AT&T is aggressively investing in its IP infrastructure. We were the first major ISP to carry traffic on an OC-192 link, and we're well ahead of schedule on building out 26 Internet Data Centers around the world,' said Earley.
``AT&T's Ecosystem for ASPs will provide application service providers with the tools and resources to deliver high-performance and reliable network-based applications,' said Eugene Lee, vice president of marketing for Cisco's Applications Technology Group. ``ASPs can now offer value-added differentiated services through the combined strength of AT&T's infrastructure and Cisco's network of partners, and superior technology including intelligent network services and scalable architectures.'
``A key element to the value proposition of the ASP market is to have the most reliable, stable and secure IT infrastructure -- especially for delivering e-services and handling heavy volumes of transactions,' said Nick Earle, chief marketing officer for Hewlett-Packard Company's Enterprise and Commercial Business. ``HP is working with AT&T's Internet Data Centers to create environments for mission-critical, high-availability e-commerce and application hosting.'
ASP Co-marketing Program
AT&T is launching its ASP co-marketing program designed to ensure the success of ASPs of all sizes. The program -- available in the first quarter of 2000 -- will allow ASPs hosting in AT&T's data centers to leverage the power of AT&T's brand through multiple levels of co-marketing support. Qualified ASPs can apply for membership in the company's award-winning Alliance Program, a complementary sales channel that will enable ASPs to market and sell AT&T's Internet services. AT&T also will make available a broad set of online sales and support tools for ASPs.
``IBM is teaming with AT&T on its Ecosystem initiative to make it easier for ASPs to deliver high-performing network-based services,' said William A. Etherington, senior vice president and group executive, IBM Sales and Distribution. ``IBM will leverage our extensive business partner network and programs, including ASP Prime which gives ISVs the tools to deliver Net-based applications. We also will deliver our full range of e-business tools for the ASP market, from servers and storage technology to software.'
Businesses interested in more information about AT&T's programs and services should visit www.att.com/ipservices.
Sidebar
AT&T Ecosystem for ASPs Participating Companies
Adero www.adero.com
Akamai Technologies, Inc. www.akamai.com
Cisco Systems, Inc. www.cisco.com
Digital Island www.digisle.net
EMC Corporation www.emc.com
HP www.hp.com
IBM www.ibm.com
InfoLibria www.infolibria.com
Inktomi www.inktomi.com
Intelligroup www.intelligroup.com
Intervu www. intervu.net
Mail.com www.mail.com
MessageBlaster www.messageblaster.com
Mi8 www.mi8.com
Novell www.novell.com
StorageNetworks Inc. www.storagenetworks.com
Sun Microsystems, Inc. www.sun.com
VideoSnap.com www.videosnap.com
SOURCE: AT&T
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