NICE, FRANCE, May 7, 2001 - A team of TeleManagement Forum (TM Forum) members led by Dimension Data today introduced the second phase of the IP VPN Management Catalyst project during TeleManagement World in Nice, France May 7- 10.

The IP VPN Management Catalyst project is aimed at bringing predictability to Internet protocol (IP) services over shared infrastructures and providing customer self-configuration of complex virtual private networks (VPNs) with evolving requirements. It pushes the boundaries of complexity by showing multi-layer, multi-vendor and multi-service provider intricacy. The project explores the power of plug-and-play in accommodating diverse inter-service provider business models with associated changes of information exchanged in a business-to-business environment.

"Previously, multi-layer, multi-service provider VPN services presented significant challenges to the operations support system, consuming resources and limiting opportunities for growth and differentiation," said Craig Levieux, of Dimension Data and leader of the IP VPN Management Catalyst project. "This project will bring service providers more complete utilization of network inventory management as well as the expertise of market-leading companies and a multi-vendor OSS solution that provides the flexibility and scalability for long term success."

The extended project will include and validate additional TM Forum New Generation Operations Support System (NGOSS^TM) concepts for the development of commercially viable, integrated OSSs. Additional functional components - trouble ticketing, inventory, usage-based billing, testing and performance management - will be integrated and the existing traffic engineering capability enhanced.

The IP VPN Management project will quantify the use of the NGOSS plug-and-play framework to reduce time to market for new services in an operationally realistic environment and will address additional issues including security and scalability.

"Increased customer service and satisfaction has been the main goal of this collaboration," said James Warner, President and Chief Executive Officer of TM Forum. "We've focused on customers by developing real-world solutions with them in mind and showing service providers how to fully scale their service offerings to open IP-platforms with fully managed IP-based services."

BT and Verizon Communications are the service provider sponsors for this ground-breaking industry project. Dimension Data is leading the project as systems integrator with Astracon, Cisco Systems, Daleen Technologies, Harris Corporation, IGS, Orchestream, Portal Software, Sodalia, Sun Microsystems, Telcordia Technologies, Trendium, Visionael Corporation, and Vitria Technology also contributing.

IP VPN Management Participating Companies and Contributions

Participating companies are contributing the following solution components:

• Astracon - service configuration and connectivity provisioning
• Cisco Systems - network hardware and management solutions
• Daleen Technologies - next-generation billing and customer care; Internet self-care and ordering
• Dimension Data - workflow engine implementation, directory services implementation and systems integration
• Harris Corporation - Broadband Wireless Access Technology (LMDS) and Systems Integration Service
• IGS, Inc. - common information model and transformation services
• Orchestream - IP VPN service activation, SLA management and performance management
• Portal Software - customer management and billing platform
• Sodalia - fault management
• Sun Microsystems - Carrier-grade Netra t1 thin servers, developed for high-density rack-mount environments
• Telcordia Technologies - traffic engineering and pre-planning
• Trendium - service product catalog, SLA management
• Visionael - inventory management
• Vitria Technology - OSS integration platform for automating business processes; asynchronous and synchronous messaging; workflow engine; and application connectors

To learn more about the IP VPN Management project, view the demonstration in the Catalyst Showcase, May 7-10, 2001, at TeleManagement World in Nice, France or visit the project's web site at www.didata.com/catalyst.

About TeleManagement Forum

TeleManagement Forum is a non-profit, global organization providing industry leadership by driving the development of New Generation Operations Systems and Software (OSS). TM Forum members collaboratively produce pragmatic solutions using off the shelf, plug and play technologies that streamline key business processes for the management of communications and information services. As an industry association, the TM Forum also sponsors a broad range of education and information services to its members and the industry at large. Currently, the TM Forum has more than 380 members from 36 countries including all types of service providers, equipment manufacturers, software suppliers, and systems integrators. For more information visit www.tmforum.org, www.telemanagementworld.com

About Dimension Data

Dimension Data Holdings plc is a leading global network services and i-Commerce solutions provider, focused on enabling enterprises, telecommunications service providers and new economy companies to communicate and transact effectively in an e-enabled environment.

Listed on the London Stock Exchange, Dimension Data is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. The Group operates in more than 30 countries on six continents. It has achieved a three-year compound annual growth rate in US dollars of 73% in revenue and 36% in basic earnings per share. For more information, please go to www.didata.com.