QWEST COMMUNICATIONS AND MICROAGE TECHNOLOGY SERVICES ANNOUNCE $25 MILLION
AGREEMENT
DENVER, Dec 1, 1999 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Qwest Communications
International Inc. (Nasdaq: QWST), the broadband Internet
communications company, today announced it has signed an agreement with
MicroAge(R) Technology Services that will generate approximately $25
million in revenue for Qwest and allow MicroAge to offer a wide array
of broadband Internet solutions to its clients.
The MicroAge agreement represents the largest system integrator to join
the expanding list of companies who are part of the recently introduced
Qwest Business Partner Program (the QBPP). MicroAge, one of the largest
technology service providers in the U.S., will combine its technology
services, procurement services and teleservices with Qwest's robust
Internet and multi-media solutions to offer customers the most
comprehensive suite of end-to-end Microsoft applications in the
industry.
This announcement comes on the heels of the launch of MicroAge's
Microsoft Business Practice unit, initiated to focus on projects
involving such Microsoft solutions as Exchange, Office 2000 and the
upcoming Windows 2000. This commitment, combined with Qwest's ability
to deliver an unmatched Internet backbone, nationwide Cybercenters and
hosted product offerings, ensures the company's functionality and
vitality in meeting the current heavy market demand.
Arizona-based MicroAge, which specializes in providing services that
help clients profit from technology, will be one of the first national
business partners to provide complete end-to-end technology solutions
to their customers through Qwest's unmatched ASP offerings that
incorporate relationships with industry leaders including Microsoft,
Hewlett-Packard and Cisco Systems.
"As MicroAge continues to build on the foundation of our infrastructure
services, we have selected strategic, best-in-class partners such as
Qwest in order to expand the breadth of our offerings and deliver
technology that clients need quickly and at a lower overall cost," said
Frank Picarello, group vice president, Services, MicroAge Technology
Services. "This partnership will combine our Microsoft expertise with
Qwest's Internet and state of the art broadband communications
capabilities to provide clients with one-stop solutions that will
ultimately deliver superior client satisfaction."
MicroAge Technology Services will be able to deliver Microsoft's
software applications to its customers by leveraging Qwest's high-end
CyberCenters which incorporate Hewlett-Packard's server and storage
solutions and Cisco Systems' networking router offerings. By using this
application service provider (ASP) model, MicroAge will provide their
customers a lower Initial Cost of Ownership (ICO), a lower Total Cost
of Ownership (TCO), and accelerated deployment speed, while maintaining
the ability to remain focused on their core business.
"This relationship combines one of the largest national Microsoft
Certified Solution Providers with Qwest's state-of-the-art, hosted
applications and IP Services, resulting in unparalleled opportunities
for customers to secure solutions that will dramatically increase the
performance of their businesses at a lower overall total cost," said
Roger Attick, Qwest's senior vice president, Alternate Channel Markets.
"Qwest and MicroAge have teamed to offer a competitive combination of
support services and cost effective solutions in the market today."
About the Qwest Business Partner Program The QBPP, launched in July
1999, was designed to assist technology solution providers to
transition their business model toward a services based environment.
QBPP offers distributors, system integrators and other technology
service providers a complete range of Internet solutions including
high-speed dedicated Internet access, Web and application hosting,
Microsoft Windows 2000-based Virtual Private Networks, electronic
commerce packages, advanced business video communications, video on
demand services, and real time media distribution. As a single-source,
Internet solutions provider, Qwest delivers these solutions on a range
of platforms, including Windows 2000, over Qwest's high-speed
fiber-optic network.
About MicroAge Technology Services MicroAge Technology Services is a
leading provider of technology infrastructure services worldwide. With
$1.8 billion in revenue in 1998, MicroAge is one of the largest systems
integrators in the United States. The company delivers distributed
computing solutions through ISO 9001-certified, multi-supplier
integration services to large and mid-size organizations. The company
provides a wide-range of professional technology services, focusing on
Selective Outsourcing, Professional Services and Technology Deployment.
MicroAge supports customers in more than 40 major US markets and
provides international support through business partner locations
throughout the world. A subsidiary of MicroAge, Inc., the company is
based in Tempe, Ariz. More information about MicroAge can be found at
www.microage.com.
About Qwest Qwest Communications International Inc. (Nasdaq: QWST) is a
leader in reliable, scalable and secure broadband Internet-based data,
voice and image communications for businesses and consumers. The Qwest
Macro Capacity(R) Fiber Network, designed with the newest optical
networking, spans more than 18,500 miles in the United States, with an
additional 315-mile network to be completed by the end of the year. In
addition, KPNQwest (Nasdaq: KQIP), Qwest's European joint venture with
KPN, the Dutch telecommunications company, is building and will operate
a high-capacity European fiber optic, Internet-based network that will
span 9,150 miles when it is completed in 2001. Qwest also has completed
a 1,400-mile network in Mexico. For more information, please visit the
Qwest web site at www.qwest.com.
This release may contain forward-looking statements that involve risks
and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual
future events or results. Readers are referred to the documents filed
by Qwest with the SEC, specifically the most recent reports which
identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to
differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements,
including potential fluctuations in quarterly results, dependence on
new product development, rapid technological and market change, failure
to maintain rights of way, financial risk management and future growth
subject to risks, Qwest's ability to achieve Year 2000 compliance,
adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment, and
failure to complete the merger with U S WEST and achieve projected
synergies and financial results timely or at all. This release may
include analysts' estimates and other information prepared by third
parties, for which Qwest assumes no responsibility. Qwest undertakes no
obligation to review or confirm analysts' expectations or estimates or
to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to
reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the
occurrence of unanticipated events.
The Qwest logo is a registered trademark of Qwest Communications
International Inc. in the U.S. and certain other countries.
SOURCE Qwest Communications International Inc.
(C) 1999 PR Newswire. All rights reserved.
prnewswire.com
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CONTACT: Media: Matt Barkett, 303-992-2085, matt.barkett@qwest.com, or
Investor Relations: Lee Wolfe, 800-567-7296, IR@qwest.com,
both of Qwest
Communications; or Michelle Gorel of MicroAge Technology
Services,
480-366-1218, mgorel@microage.com
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