July 06, 1999 06:16
AboveNet and Rand Worldwide Announce
Partnership to Provide Hewlett-Packard E-services
Solutions for Global Businesses
SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--July 6, 1999--AboveNet
Communications Inc. (Nasdaq:ABOV), the architect of a global one-hop
network, and Rand A Technology Corporation (TSE:RND), operating as RAND
Worldwide(TM), a global supplier of Information Technology and Engineering
Services, today announced the signing of a partnership agreement.
This agreement will offer multi-national customers a reliable, scalable and
cost-effective e-services solution by combining Rand's superior expertise in
delivering Hewlett-Packard hardware, software and services with AboveNet's
reliable and secure high-bandwidth connectivity and co-location solutions.
Global companies are demanding complete e-services solutions, as they seek
ways to control costs and maintain a competitive advantage in today's fast
growing Internet markets. The outsourcing of the applications and services
typically owned and managed in-house, allows companies to focus on
product-oriented and customer facing processes while gaining time to market
of application delivery and the flexibility of Internet computing models.
"This is a significant opportunity for Rand to continue to offer its customers a
leading edge technology which is at the forefront of Internet revolution. It's not a
matter of if companies will need mission-critical Internet capability, it's when.
With this AboveNet agreement, Rand is in a unique position to provide our
global customers instant access to high-bandwidth Internet," said Sam Gibbs,
Vice President of Rand Worldwide/President Rand Federal.
Rand is a "Best in Class" HP partner with over 10 years of experience
delivering complex IT solutions to mid to large size corporations. E-services
customers will have a choice of the type of solutions that best fits their needs.
All solutions will include Hewlett-Packard's recently announced line of products
and services targeted at delivering superior Internet computing; the N-class of
servers, Open View and MC256 as well as customized e-services.
Solution packages range in complexity from E-location which delivers server
co-location and Internet connectivity with an intelligent suite of OpenView tools
for monitoring and reactive support services; to E-monitor, which delivers a
higher level of monitoring and proactive support services that includes
application diagnostics and maintenance; to the most complete level of
services E-Sourcing in which all responsibility for design, purchase,
installation, operation and support of applications is managed and delivered by
Rand and HP personnel.
"Hewlett-Packard enthusiastically endorses this business alignment between
AboveNet and our partner Rand," said Kapi Attawar, Director of E-Services,
North America for Hewlett-Packard. "As business increasingly takes
advantage of the Internet for mission-critical computing and e-services(R),
we've seen a need for business models that permit companies to concentrate
on their own core competencies while leveraging new technologies -- Rand's
association with AboveNet will make it easy for companies to do exactly that."
This is truly a unique solution because of the commitment by all partners to
deliver a global Internet solution. AboveNet has a strong presence in the Asian
markets and recently announced plans for strategic joint ventures in Europe
and to further extend the AboveNet Global One Hop Network.
Rand is the leader in delivering global IT solutions to multi-national
corporations. And HP has recently announced a complete line of hardware,
software and services targeted at delivering scalable, complete computing
solutions to mid and large multi-national corporations looking to include the
Internet in their business model.
Under terms of the 2 year agreement, Rand and AboveNet will participate in a
variety of co-marketing activities, including a national training program for Rand
and Hewlett-Packard's e-services sales forces and aggressive co-marketing
activities. Rand will begin by offering a domestic solution with presence at
AboveNet's West and East Internet Service Exchange (ISX) campuses and will
extend HP's e-services solutions globally within 6 months.
"We are pleased to work with the industry's leading technology providers to
offer a reliable and scalable Internet solution for businesses outsourcing their
business-critical applications," said David Dembitz, Senior Vice President of
Sales and Marketing for AboveNet. "As we develop partnerships to facilitate
e-services, we recognize the critical nature of working with best of breed
partners. Rand's understanding and expertise in delivering HP e-services
solutions nicely complements our high performance network and world-class
facilities."
About Rand Worldwide
Rand Worldwide, a global organization with offices located throughout North
America, Europe and Asia Pacific, is a Hewlett-Packard "Best in Class"
solutions provider. The company's knowledgeable HP9000 certified sales and
technical staff can provide technology solutions for a manageable cost.
Rand Worldwide's portfolio of clients includes venture capitalist funded startups
to Fortune 500 companies. Rand offers a range of products ranging from
desktops to high end servers as well as the latest storage systems. Currently,
Rand Worldwide employs over 1000 individuals in more than 84 sales and
client service centers around the globe. Rand Worldwide corporate head office
is located in Mississauga, Canada and can be reached at 905/625-2000 or
www.Rand.com.
About AboveNet Communications Inc.
AboveNet Communications, Inc. is a leading provider of Internet connectivity
and co-location solutions for high bandwidth and business-critical applications.
AboveNet, headquartered in San Jose, Calif., is the architect of the Internet
Service Exchange (ISX) -- a world class network that provides co-location
services and Internet connectivity for Content Providers, ISPs, and Application
Service Providers (ASPs).
The AboveNet Global One-Hop Network is designed to deliver fast, scalable
and reliable connections to the Internet and improves the Internet experience
for all end-users. With its Tier 1 status and ISO 9002 certification, AboveNet is
seeking to serve the global community of the Internet. For more information on
AboveNet and its service offering call 800/475-2733 or visit the company's Web
site at www.above.net.
Note to Editors: AboveNet, Internet Service Exchange, ISX and AboveNet
Global One-Hop Network are trademarks of AboveNet Communications, Inc.
All other company or brand names may be trademarks of the respective
companies with which they are associated.
The statements contained in this press release that are not purely historical,
such as statements relating to the emergence of a market for hosted
applications and the potential benefits of hosted applications, are forward
looking statements within the meaning of section 21E of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including statements regarding the
company's expectations, beliefs, hopes, intention or strategies regarding the
future. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include risks
related to AboveNet's services, including network scalability and Internet
connectivity, the ability to maintain and increase peering relationships, and
intense competition, the ability of the providers of hosted application services
to obtain and retain customers and satisfactory levels of service, and other
factors and risks discussed in the company's registration statement on form
S-1 initially filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 7,
1999 and other reports filed from time to time with the Securities Exchange
Commission.
CONTACT: AboveNet Communications
Rose Marr, 408/367-6681
rose@above.net
or
Rand Worldwide
Vivian King, 408/492-0202
vking@Rand.com
or
Hewlett-Packard
Greg Richtarek, 408/447-5230
greg_richtarek@hp.com
or
The Weber Group
Tiffany Francis, 650/463-8642
tfrancis@ca.webergroup.com |
