The understudy sharing the limelight, neat. SUNW is going to keep up with IBM global services I think.
Sun Microsystems Selected by BT Ignite Content Hosting to Equip Pan-European Network of Internet Data Centers With Leading-Edge Technology
Sun Hardware, Software and Professional Services to be Implemented Across More Than 20 Data Centers
PALO ALTO, Calif., Jan. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Sun Microsystems (Nasdaq: SUNW - news) today announced that it has entered into a strategic business relationship with BT Ignite Content Hosting, the hosting arm of Ignite, BT's new international broadband Internet Protocol (IP) data and solutions business. This relationship positions Sun as the sole supplier of UNIX®-based servers to BT Ignite Content Hosting's extensive network of Internet data centers.
Sun is also to supply storage products and related technologies, as well as provide consulting, support, remote monitoring and training on an on-site basis. The agreement includes a dedicated configuration facility at Sun's manufacturing facility in Linlithgow, Scotland.
BT Ignite Content Hosting has purchased approximately $20 million in Sun products and services for the Internet data centers to date, with plans to expand its commitment over the next several years. The two companies have already collaborated to add customers such as Airtours, one of the world's largest air-inclusive vacation providers, to the list of companies utilizing the new centers' hosting services.
Sun Microsystems is slated to play a major role in the deployment of BT Ignite Content Hosting's Internet infrastructure strategy to provide the necessary mission critical, web-based solutions for its extensive network of Internet data centers. The Sun technology to be included in the deal currently includes Sun carrier-grade Netra(TM) T1 servers; Sun Enterprise(TM) 420R, Sun Enterprise 4500 and 10000 model servers; Sun StorEdge(TM) T3 array and StorEdge(TM) N8200 filer storage devices.
In order to meet the service level commitments set by BT Ignite Content Hosting, Sun will be delivering on-site support along with a host of remote services to deliver the highest possible levels of availability. Sun is also to provide a suite of skills assessment and training packages for BT Ignite's technical personnel.
``The exponential increase in bandwidth and Internet utilization is fundamentally changing the world of computing and offering new possibilities to businesses and consumers,'' said John McFarlane, Executive Vice President of Sun's Network Service Provider Group. ``This phenomenon, which we call the 'Net Effect,' is making it vital for companies like BT Ignite to differentiate themselves by enabling new and unique services. We're outfitting BT Ignite Content Hosting's extensive network of Internet data centers with reliable, scalable technology needed to define and deploy these services to customers in record time.''
As previously announced, BT, AT&T and Concert plan to jointly invest approximately $2 billion over the next two years to develop a network of 44 Internet data centers in 16 countries to deliver seamless global e-commerce services. The Sun and BT Ignite Content Hosting relationship will see Sun technology populating the extensive network of data centers currently in 9 European countries including the UK, Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and Sweden.
Vernon Irvin, President of BT Ignite Content Hosting, commented: ``We have chosen to work with Sun based on the company's proven reputation for delivering Internet solutions with the highest levels of reliability, availability, scalability and security -- all vital ingredients of the BT Ignite Content Hosting service.''
BT Ignite Content Hosting will also become a SunTone(SM) accredited Service Provider for its IP infrastructure and services. The SunTone Certification and Branding Program is a collaborative effort with industry-wide support, led by Sun to make 24x7 service and reliability the norm for consumer and business Internet-based services. SunTone certification is designed to give customers the confidence that the Service Provider's operations and infrastructure have been evaluated and judged to be reliable and of high quality.
SunTone certification also makes BT Ignite Content Hosting eligible to participate in a comprehensive suite of go-to-market initiatives -- supported by several thousand of Sun's sales, service and marketing personnel worldwide -- designed to drive customers to BT Ignite Content Hosting's Internet data centers.
About BT Ignite
BT Ignite -- BT's international broadband and Internet Protocol (IP) data and solutions business has been created to provide a complete communications portfolio to corporate and wholesale customers anywhere in the world.
It is the first communications company to commit to delivering the entire IP value chain -- from core networks and Internet connectivity through to e-commerce consultancy and solutions with a unique blend of content hosting, application service provision, systems integration and outsourcing capabilities.
BT Ignite is already outstripping its nearest competitors in terms of traditional measures of route kilometers, local sales and service support teams and depth of country coverage. In Europe we already have twice the broadband reach of our competitors and will be able to deliver our portfolio to over 250 European cities over our own networks by the end of 2001 and to all the world's commercial centers through BT's partners, alliance members and subsidiaries.
About BT Ignite Content Hosting
BT Ignite Content Hosting offers a range of web hosting application and networking services, utilizing a world class Internet backbone. The data centers can service a wide range of companies from major corporations to application service providers and other Internet-centric businesses.
Internet data centers house the hardware, software and high speed communication connections required by customers -- allowing them to focus on their core business and meet growing requirements for e-commerce. Further information: www.ignitecontenthosting.com.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
Since its inception in 1982, a singular vision -- ``The Network Is The Computer(TM)'' -- has propelled Sun Microsystems, Inc., to its position as a leading provider of industrial-strength hardware, software and services that power the Internet and allow companies worldwide to dot-com their businesses. With $17.6 billion in annual revenues, Sun can be found in more than 170 countries and on the World Wide Web at sun.com .
NOTE: Sun, the Sun logo, Sun Microsystems, SunTone, the SunTone Certified logo, HotJava, Netra, Sun Enterprise, Sun StorEdge and The Network is the Computer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and in other countries. UNIX is a registered trademark in the United States and other countries exclusively licensed through X/Open Company, Ltd. Netscape Navigator is a trademark or registered trademark of Netscape Communications Corporation.
Press announcements and other information about Sun Microsystems are available on the Internet via the World Wide Web using a tool such as Netscape Navigator(TM) or Sun's HotJava(TM). Type sun.com at the URL prompt.
SOURCE: Sun Microsystems, Inc.
IBM has Global Services and SUNW has Professional Services.
Has professional Services stopped using the fabric from ummm that other comapny yet?
Any help out there? |
