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Technology Stocks : Ascend Communications (ASND) -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Gary Wisdom who wrote (57251)	11/17/1998 9:00:00 AM
From: Gary Wisdom	Respond to of 61433

Ascend Global Integration Services Unveils Global Strategy and Service Delivery Capabilities Business Wire - November 17, 1998 08:18 ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1998-- Global Integration Services Elevates Support and Services on Global Scale; Focus On Time-to-Market Solutions and Network Lifecycle Support Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND), a leader in wide-area networking (WAN) and Intelligent Networking (IN) solutions for providers and users of the next generation public network, today announced a new strategy for its Global Integration Services (GIS) business unit that is focused on delivering "Time to Market" solutions through the delivery of a full range of network lifecycle support services. These integrated, flexible services are available on a global basis and support the full range of network lifecycle needs and allow Ascend customers to gain greater performance and value from their networks, while achieving the competitive advantage of being first to market with new voice and data services. According to Scott Thompson, executive vice president of Global Integration Services, the GIS strategy is the result of extensive research into the needs, wants and expectations of the Ascend customer base, many of whom are carriers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), enterprise and other network service providers. "For these customers, the network is the business and the ability to bring new voice and data services to market is vitally important," Thompson said. "By focusing GIS on time to market solutions, Ascend has positioned itself as a business partner, providing both the advanced technology and the technical expertise to implement it quickly and manage it effectively. It's all about better bottom line results for our customers." The GIS goal of providing Time-to-Market solutions is based on a strategy of developing services that support the lifecycle of a network. "Networks don't have a traditional product lifecycle," said John Pohl, senior director of marketing of Global Integration Services. "Networks go through a continual evolutionary process that is driven by the need for new capacity and capabilities created by technological advancements. Supporting the entire evolutionary process helps us ensure that our clients deliver the right services to the right markets at the right time with sufficient capacity to satisfy future demands." The four evolutionary phases are Planning, Design, Implementation, and Management and GIS has been organized into business units that focus on the unique challenges of each phase: -- Professional and Technical Services, headed by Mark Quinlivan, vice president, is focused on providing business consulting and developing and delivering services for network design, performance audits, and network deployment. This business unit also provides project management as well as custom software development services. -- The Advantage Services unit is focused on customer support programs including Ascend Online Services, an interactive support Web site (for more information see news release -- "Ascend Online Services Heralds the Future of Innovative Service Delivery"). This group provides expert on-line, on-site and phone support, from seven Technical Assistance Centers strategically located around the world. On-site service is available in more than 40 countries and can be delivered in as little as two hours. Telephone support can be provided around the clock in 140 languages. -- Global Education, under the leadership of Dixie Smetana, director of Education and Certification, delivers programs on a variety of technology topics at ten training centers in the Americas, Europe, Asia, and Australia. The business unit also manages the Ascend Certified Technical Expert (ACTE) program. "The Ascend GIS strategy is logical, well thought out, and important to its customers," said Glenn Gabriel Ben-Yosef, president of Clear Thinking Research in Boston, Massachusetts. "Ascend GIS is a leading vendor support organization that recognizes the value of intellectual capital in network services. By focusing on time to market solutions, GIS is saying they understand the critical needs of their customers." Availability Ascend's Global Integration Services are available immediately, worldwide. Additional information on these services is available on the Ascend Web site at ascend.com.

To: Gary Wisdom who wrote (57251)	11/17/1998 9:01:00 AM
From: Gary Wisdom	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 61433

Ascend Online Services Heralds the Future of Innovative Service Delivery; Ascend Advantage Services Repackaged to Highlight Innovative Interactive Online Services Business Wire - November 17, 1998 08:28 ALAMEDA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 17, 1998--Ascend Communications, Inc. (Nasdaq:ASND), a leader in wide area networking (WAN) and Intelligent Networking (IN) solutions for providers and users of the next generation public network, today announced the worldwide availability of Ascend Online Services (AOS), a Web-based online support system that revolutionizes technical support and service delivery, and the repackaging of its Advantage support programs to include these new services. AOS is an innovative Web-based service delivery model that creates a major industry paradigm shift for network support (for more information see news, ascend.com. AOS is an interactive Web site that enables customers to manage and maintain Ascend hardware and software through assisted self-help. Using the latest in real-time text conferencing, push, and streaming technology, AOS allows customers to proactively manage their networks and work directly with an Ascend Network Support Engineer without leaving the site. AOS also gives customers access to information that provides customers with greater understanding of Ascend's leading-edge technologies. At the core of AOS is an enriched self-help library that includes software downloads and thousands of pages of continuously updated technical information such as frequently-asked questions (FAQs), configuration help, and troubleshooting tips. AOS customers can quickly and easily search for the information they need or click on an icon to begin a live session with an Ascend technician. During the session, the engineer can push the appropriate pages and links directly to the customer's browser, speeding service by eliminating the typing errors and site or file searches that often slow telephone-based support. "Ascend Online Services is an example of how Ascend is redefining its service delivery model to meet customer needs," said Richard Brewer, senior analyst, Network Support and Integration Services, of International Data Corporation (IDC). "The Web-based interactive environment of AOS, with features such as live chats, 'push'-based automated alerts, and video and audio Webcasts, helps empower customers to maintain their networks while making the most efficient use of Ascend's service and support resources. Online service initiatives such as AOS are pushing the boundaries of innovative service delivery to mission-critical networks." Ascend GIS has repackaged its Advantage support program to enable customers to benefit from the innovative capabilities of AOS. The new tiered packaging focuses the services on the unique needs of carriers, Internet Service Providers (ISPs), Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs), and enterprises. Support options range from Advantage On.Line: a service package focused on customers who prefer to handle most support issues on their own that provides interactive Web-based support, to Advantage On.Guard offering the benefits of an assigned Network Service Engineer, up to 2-hour on-site response, unlimited telephone support as well as full access to AOS. GIS promotes these services with the tagline, "Always On," because all Advantage Services provide support on a 24 by 7 basis. All Advantage Services also offer unlimited access to one or more of the AOS interactive features. AOS features include: -- AOS Live. AOS Live creates a private chat environment between a customer and an Ascend Network Support Engineer. Ascend's online engineers help customers find the exact information they need, and pushes answers and instructions to customer's screens, or provide step-by-step troubleshooting and configuration help. All online solutions are automatically entered into Ascend's online knowledge base and can be e-mailed to the customer for future reference. -- AOS Casts. AOS Casts will use audio and video streaming to provide online real-time seminars and education on new voice and data services opportunities, configuration guidelines, troubleshooting tips, and many other topics. These interactive sessions are scheduled throughout the day and week, allowing customers to participate at their convenience. -- AOS Alerts. AOS Alerts is a proactive network management tool that uses push technology to automatically deliver information vital to customers' networks' performance via e-mail. AOS Alerts will notify customers of hardware issues and software bugs and provide the information and patches customers need to resolve them before they impact their systems. Customers will also receive troubleshooting and configuration tips as well as notification of new white papers and technical documentation of interest. -- CaseView. CaseView is an issue management system that allows customers to open and close trouble tickets and track the status of existing tickets online. CaseView also maintains a concise collection of technical tips that can often help customers resolve issues quickly and easily. "Our revolutionary approach to self-service is testament to our dedication to improving customer satisfaction through high-quality customer service and support," said Dave Colicchio, vice president of customer support of Global Integration Services. "AOS represents a significant investment, and our commitment to on-going development and innovation will remain evident as we continually add more of the features our customers are requesting. In creating solutions like AOS, we are allowing our customers to focus on their business objectives and spend less time on maintaining their networks." Availability Ascend Online Services is available to Ascend customers that have an Advantage or Advantage Plus service agreement. AOS is globally available immediately on Ascend Pipeline, MAX, MAX TNT, and Multiband products. Support for additional products will start on January 1, 1999. For more details on AOS, contact an Ascend representative or visit Ascend's Website at ascend.com.