BOSTON, JUNE 30, 1998 -- MCI today introduced networkMCI Enterprise Blue, the first comprehensive suite of premier services designed for customers with mainframe computers who are looking to modernize their "legacy" networks with Web-enabled applications.
"Many large corporations today would like to protect their mainframe investments but at the same time would like to take advantage of Web-enabled applications on the Internet," explained Stephen Von Rump, MCI vice president of Enterprise Services. "With networkMCI Enterprise Blue they will be able to transform their enterprise networks from the legacy era into the Internet-driven multimedia future.
"In creating this suite of services, we have joined forces with Cisco Systems and have enlisted the support of MCI Systemhouse and IBM," said Von Rump. "Working together, we have built the most comprehensive offering available that addresses System Network Architecture (SNA) migration, from transport to application enablement. We developed this new offering by leveraging the experience we gained in migrating one of the largest SNA networks ever -- MCI's own. We created a new type of network in the process - an SNA VPN."
"The corporate network has become the lifeblood of the enterprise," said John Gerdelman, president of networkMCI Services, the network and information technologies arm of MCI. "SNA VPN migration is a significant step in creating powerful, flexible networks cost-effectively, while considerably enhancing corporate efficiency, increasing competitiveness, and improving profitability. These new networks will actually help companies define their future offerings through the use of information centered networks."
" The market for this type of service is in the billions," said Tom Nolle, president of CIMI Corporation-a major consultant firm based in New Jersey. "Many large corporations want to modernize their legacy era networks, but have been reluctant to do so because of uncertainties associated with reliability and quality assurance. MCI's new service is notable and worth looking at, and many companies will benefit from the types of services and support MCI has to offer."networkMCI Enterprise Blue consists of three complementary product suites: application enablement solutions, VPN solutions and transport solutions. Customers will be able to pick and choose which best suits their own specific requirements.
Application Enablement Suite
The Application Enablement Suite of applications, based on MCI Systemhouse's Network Enterprise strategy, provides businesses with a broad range of planning and application services. These include MCI Systemhouse's proven Systems Planning and Architecture offerings -- Enterprise-wide Architecture Strategy and Strategic Internet Positioning; Internet Productivity Solutions and Network-Enabled Business Applications."By combining our delivery strategy with pre-engineered enterprise solutions, we can quickly provide fully-integrated functional applications that best meet a company's unique business requirements," said Scott Ross, president and COO of MCI Systemhouse. "These applications will result in reduced uncertainty, reduced time to market, and reduced risks for our customers."
MCI Systemhouse plans to work with IBM to develop a reusable architectural framework based on open standards and covering the range of Web, connectivity, and commerce functionality. Systemhouse and IBM plan to bundle flexible, repeatable solutions that address messaging and workgroup collaboration, integrated document management, information access and e-commerce to meet demanding business-to-business requirements. Working with IBM, MCI Systemhouse plans to develop and implement solutions based on IBM, Lotus and Tivoli software solutions such as Net.Commerce*, CommercePOINT*, DB2* Universal Database, MQSeries*, Lotus Domino* and other middleware, groupware, systems management and application development tools.
"Combining our software solutions with MCI's network strengths and MCI Systemhouse's applications expertise is a 'win-win' in today's competitive business landscape," said Ian Boner, vice president, Lotus and IBM Worldwide Partner Marketing and Programs, IBM. "We believe this combination will provide a solid foundation for establishing a true e-business environment and help networkMCI Enterprise Blue customers take full advantage of the enormous business opportunity in transitioning from legacy to network-enabled applications."
VPN Solutions Suite
MCI and Cisco will jointly work together to assist customers in their migration of legacy SNA private line networks to a routed WAN consisting of MCI HyperStream Frame Relay and Cisco routers, Frame Relay Access Devices (FRADs) and SNA Solutions."MCI has tailored a program to bring in the best of all possible options to offer a truly first-class communications offering," said Larry Lang, vice president of marketing with Cisco's Service Provider Line of Business. "The networkMCI Enterprise Blue is customer focused, flexible and comprehensive. It provides the perfect environment for the deployment of Cisco solutions."
A VPN is a wide area networking solution that combines the best features of private and public networks in delivering critical business applications. networkMCI Enterprise Blue offers two VPN packages- VPN, and VPN+.
- VPN - Ideal for customers who want to deploy VPNs supporting TCP/IP, SNA, APPN and/or multiprotocol environments. This solution employs standard packages that include advanced frame relay features (priority PVCs, Peak Information Rate, and Native Mode SDLC), pre-configured Cisco routers with channel interface processor cards, a unique VPN service level guarantee, optional WAN Managed Services, and optional firewall service for those customers requiring Internet access.
- VPN+ --Provides the design, implementation, support and consulting of customer VPNs. This comprehensive VPN package is comprised of unique management features including: full network administration, including management of user accounts; service level monitoring of resources including SNA devices; and network troubleshooting, which includes fault detection and isolation, repair and restoration.
"With VPN solutions, customers can select the service level management that best suits their needs-from simply management of the HyperStream Frame Relay service, to WAN Managed Services which includes management of all the Cisco routers, to actual management of the SNA sessions," said Von Rump. "MCI's Information Centered Network Solutions (ICNS) group will be responsible for managing actual SNA sessions-going where no other company has gone before. And, they have the experience since they are presently managing one of the largest SNA networks ever-MCI's own."
The ICNS team provides MCI customers with comprehensive network integration and consolidation, including network design, migration and implementation. ICNS offers professional services and technology expertise for all phases of the network life cycle, as well as 7x24 support. In order to meet the challenge of providing consistent quality service, each project is staffed with a complement of business analysts, project managers, network systems engineers, and network implementation engineers who have requisite technical and management experience to deliver premier, end to end, network solutions. ICNS ensures that the client's corporate networks are running efficiently and productively, thereby maintaining the client's competitive edge, enhancing network productivity and cost reduction.
The transport solutions suite of networkMCI Enterprise Blue is for small to medium private line customers who are looking to eventually deploy a VPN and want to begin migrating their private networks. Using transport solutions, customers can start enjoying the benefits of a VPN through improved WAN costs. Customers are provided with basic frame relay service and can choose either dedicated digital access or premium dial access via MCI Remote LAN Dial service. Internet connectivity is provided. Customers have the option of using their existing customer premises equipment, or they can lease or buy new Cisco equipment.
"networkMCI Enterprise Blue provides businesses with a fully detailed blueprint for integrating their mainframe operations with Internet applications," said Von Rump. "This joint MCI/MCI Systemhouse offering combines the strengths of both companies in client-server management, desktop-to-desktop managed services, Internet technologies, and help-desk and support services. With this new service, mainframe-oriented corporations will be able to jump forward into the Internet-driven 21st century as easily as manual-shift automobile drivers converted to automatic transmissions."
About MCI
MCI, headquartered in Washington, D.C., is a leading provider of local-to-global communication services to business, government and residential users. The company's fast-growing portfolio of advanced data and IT services accounts for a quarter of MCI's approximately $20 billion in annual revenue. MCI operates one of the world's largest and most advanced digital networks, connecting local markets in the U.S. to hundreds of locations worldwide. MCI has agreed to merge with WorldCom, one of the world's fastest-growing communications companies. The merger, which is expected to be completed in mid-1998, will create MCI WorldCom, a company uniquely positioned in the U.S. local and long distance markets as well as the global data and Internet markets.Cisco Systems
Cisco Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ:CSCO) is theworldwide leader in networking for the Internet. News and information areavailable athttp://www.cisco.com.For more information visit Cisco PR Contacts
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** Indicates trademark or registered trademark of Lotus Development Corporation All other trademarks are the properties of their respective companies.
