Manage My Network: Businesses Turn to the Experts for Help

Manage My Network: Businesses Turn to the Experts for Help

AT&T Aims to Help Businesses Innovate, Manage Complexity and Control Costs

Dallas, Texas, March 20, 2012

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The explosive growth of network-dependent data, devices and apps is creating technology complexity and cost challenges for large and medium-sized businesses.

To help businesses address these challenges, AT&T has introduced a network sourcing solution that includes consulting, design, management, and operation services for large and medium-sized businesses. AT&T Network Sourcing^SM  allows customers to manage complexity, control costs, improve productivity, and deploy technologies and applications that allow them to innovate and support their business strategies.

This solution allows customers access to AT&T’s deep networking expertise and a market-proven set of tools and processes across a variety of technologies, including voice, data, mobility, security, and cloud, among others. Services can include:

·         Consulting, design, operation and transformation of networks

·         Management and integration of customers’ other network service providers

·         A multi-year plan to update and evolve the customer’s network, including transition to a unified, MPLS-based IP network

·         Services in support of enterprise mobility, security, voice, IP telephony, virtual private networking, local area networking, and cloud solutions.

AT&T’s 13,000 network integration professionals provide network sourcing services to enterprises across a variety of industries including financial services, automotive, energy, technology, and hospitality.

“We have taken our experience managing networks for very large, global enterprises and integrated it into a flexible solution for a broader set of customers,” said Don Herring, Senior Vice President, AT&T. “AT&T Network Sourcing allows the CIOs of large and medium enterprises to manage complexity, control costs and focus on driving business performance.”

Network sourcing services can help large and medium-sized businesses reduce complexity and cut costs by as much as 15% to 35% over a two-year period, according to Boston Consulting Group[1].

Many enterprise customers who want to simplify technology operations are moving to outsourced or managed service models," said Mike Sapien, Principal Analyst at Ovum Research. "With this new solution, AT&T is addressing a growing market need among medium and large global companies with a new package of managed networking services."

AT&T’s network sourcing experts are helping the State of Georgia to maximize network bandwidth and consolidate telecommunications services for more than 70,000 state employees and 1,400 state and local government offices. Among the services AT&T provides to the State of Georgia as part of an agreement are the latest voice and data networking capabilities as well as security, mobility solutions, and telecommunications management insight. The solution also provides full network redundancy with failover capability.

“AT&T's network sourcing solution has increased our network stability dramatically," said Calvin Rhodes, Executive Director of the Georgia Technology Authority and State Chief Information Officer. "For the first time we can now re-route our network during maintenance windows and in the event of an emergency."

Industry analyst firm Gartner estimates 45% of all organizations have purchased ongoing network management services and 25% or more of all organizations in the services, retail, and healthcare provider industries plan to sign a new contract in the next 12 months[2].

Network sourcing is a key area of focus within AT&T’s strategic business services. AT&T strategic services grew 16.4 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011 versus the year-earlier quarter.

For more information, http://www.business.att.com/enterprise/Family/network-services/network-sourcing/.

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[1] Boston Consulting Group. “Growth Readiness in Network Sourcing,” October 25, 2011

[2] Gartner. “User Survey Analysis: What Providers Need to Know About 2012 First-Time ITO Buyers,”  February 8, 2012

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

News Release from IBM

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IBM Unveils New Solutions to Help Make Smarter Computing Real for x86 Users

Expanding analytics and cloud capabilities across the IBM System x product line

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ARMONK, N.Y. - 06 Mar 2012: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today announced new server solutions designed to expand cloud and analytics capabilities across its entire portfolio, helping make Smarter Computing a reality for x86 clients.

The new offerings include high-performance systems, networking and software products aimed at helping clients optimize data center operations with flexible, easy-to-deploy solutions to help reduce complexity, lower costs and deliver rapid return on investments.

Today, clients are looking for solutions that help them handle specific business challenges and make better use of existing IT infrastructures.  More and more clients are turning to cloud computing, analytics and other smarter computing solutions to help their businesses grow.  Cloud computing deployments are expected to grow more than 19% per year, according to IDC (1), and a recent IBM CIO study (2) showed cloud implementations nearly doubling from 33% to 60% over the last two years.

"From the design of the servers, software and services, IBM solutions are created to help accelerate the journey to Smarter Computing," said Adalio Sanchez, general manager, IBM System x business. "IBM is delivering easy-to-deploy cloud and analytics products to help clients align their businesses to manage unprecedented amounts of data, and become much more efficient at turning that information into timely business insights."

Among the solutions introduced is a new version of IBM's BladeCenter Foundation for Cloud (BCFC), an integrated virtualization platform with built-in system management and preconfigured with servers, storage, and networking. BladeCenter Foundation for Cloud is now powered by the new generation of IBM BladeCenter HS23 systems that offer 62% more compute power, and comes integrated with the new 10GbE Virtual Fabric technology that enables clients to run 20% more virtual machines, creating an optimal environment for building and deploying advanced cloud applications. 

The increased bandwidth and up to four times more memory allows the HS23 to support faster data transfers that are essential to virtualized cloud and analytic workloads.  In addition, IBM FastSetup for BladeCenter, a cost and time-saving console application can help clients reduce from days to hours the time it takes to complete large deployments.  

Bytemobile and German Leibniz Supercomputer Center Bet on IBM Cloud and AnalyticsCalifornia-based Bytemobile (http://bit.ly/wwxyCC) and Germany's Leibniz Supercomputing Center in Munich are among the first customers to purchase IBM next generation x86 systems.  Santa Clara-based Bytemobile, a leading global provider of mobile Internet solutions for global wireless network operators, is using IBM BladeCenter HS23 servers as the foundation for its cloud computing implementation. 

"With the new performance capabilities of the BladeCenter HS23 combined with our software, we are able to achieve two-and-a-half times the performance over our previous infrastructure," said Chris Koopmans, chief operating officer, Bytemobile.  "The IBM solution allows us to process large amounts of network data more quickly and easily.  Given the way that video traffic is exploding on mobile networks around the world, this is crucial in being able to provide customers an optimal, seamless end-user experience."

The Leibniz Supercomputing center provides supercomputing services to scientists in Munich, Bavaria, Germany and other parts of Europe.  It is in the process of installing a new high-end supercomputer based on IBM System x iDataPlex technology, which will help scientists solve a broad range of challenging scientific problems.

"Our new iDataPlex-powered SuperMUC system will help enable the scientific community to test theories, design experiments and predict outcomes as never before," said Professor Dr. Arndt Bode, director of the LRZ supercomputing center.  "In addition, the new SuperMUC system will be able to provide previously unattainable energy efficiency along with sustained performance."

IBM SmartCloud Solutions for Mid-sized Business ClientsIBM also introduced new and affordable SmartCloud solutions powered by its latest IBM System x 3650 M4 server, the most expandable, upgradeable system of its kind.  The x3650 M4 demonstrated excellent performance on industry-standard benchmarks. It achieved a leadership two-processor score for SPECvirt_sc2010 benchmark (3), set a new record for two-processor server performance on TPC-E (4), more than 45% faster than the previous-generation result achieved by the HP ProLiant DL380 G7 server (5), and a leadership two-processor result on Windows on two-tier SAP SD standard application benchmark. (6)

The System x 3650 M4 also comes with IBM eXFlash solid-state storage technology, bringing exclusive IBM enterprise-class storage capability to a two-socket rack server. The SSD technology enables 30 times more performance and a 90% increase in performance per watt for consolidating collaboration and database workloads.  In addition, the new x3650 M4 system supports the IBM Smarter Analytics portfolio of offerings, a set of compact, integrated, single-analytics offerings supported by storage-dense System x two-socket systems running IBM InfoSphere Data Warehouse and Cognos business intelligence and performance management software.

IBM's new portfolio of x86 computing solutions also include:

• The IBM System x iDataPlex dx360 M4, which offers significant flexibility for supporting a wide range of high-performance computing workloads.  The system is designed for datacenters requiring high performance with limited floor space, and power and cooling infrastructure.  Available with specially designed exclusive IBM warm water-cooled technology, this iDataPlex system is up to 40 percent more energy efficient than air-cooled systems, recovering 90 percent of heat per nodes.
• The IBM System x 3550 M4, a dense, feature-rich 1U server designed for data and business critical workloads, and the IBM System x3500 M4 tower that provides data center performance in a desktop package.  The x3550 delivers four times more memory, more virtual machines, and improved networking performance in less space at a comparable price.  The x3500 also offers four times the memory, plus 33% more storage capacity than prior generations. It is designed for quiet operation and fits easily under a desk or rack, making it ideal for office environments.
• IBM Feature on Demand across the IBM System x product line. Feature on Demand allows clients to activate or unlock features in the firmware or software on demand, providing customers the ability to grow their systems as they grow their businesses without the need for costly rip and replace.

New Business Partner Incentives to Sell Client SolutionsThe IBM Solution Accelerator incentive is a new channel initiative to sell combined software and systems, and business solutions. It has two elements. First is a Software and Systems reward that amounts to a 5% incremental rebate for selling eligible IBM systems and a 15% percent incremental rebate for selling eligible software together to a single client. Secondly, a Business Solutions Reward offers an additional 10% rebate for selling a solution aimed at a particular IT challenge on eligible software content of the solution.  Eligible solutions cover client needs such as turning information into insights, managing risk, security and compliance and social business.  In addition, approximately 1% in fees can be earned when clients finance their solution through IBM Global Finance.

The new products will begin shipping worldwide by March 16, 2012.

Client Success in the Cloud

IBM and Business Partners Drive Client Success in the Cloud

IBM Launches New Programs to Help Partners Continue Growth

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ARMONK. NY - 28 Feb 2012: IBM (NYSE: IBM) today rolled out a set of offerings geared towards helping its Business Partners more tightly integrate with the IBM SmartCloud by helping to connect them with customers, create new applications and improve their cloud computing skills. Expected to grow to more than $214 billion by 2020,* cloud computing has become a catalyst for capturing new business value through innovation, stronger customer relationships, and faster time to market while reducing cost and complexity.

IBM unveiled new resources for its 121,000 Business Partners, including:

·    Ready for IBM SmartCloud Services: This new program makes it easier for clients to quickly find technology from Business Partners that is certified for the IBM SmartCloud. In the new online directory, certified Business Partner technologies are divided into categories such as business applications, collaboration, development and test tools, infrastructure services, and security and monitoring. This is enabling IBM Business Partners to quickly ramp up and participate in the industry shift to cloud computing. More information is available at:http://ibm.co/xhoNsr.

·    Tech Talk for Cloud Computing: IBM Business Partners can now enhance their technical skills in cloud computing, with a monthly virtual learning series by IBM developerWorks. The IBM Tech Talk for Cloud Computing series will be taught by IBM and industry experts and is available at: http://ibm.co/yJH2Ms.

·    Social Business Tool Kit: This new tool kit allows Business Partners to integrate custom applications that interface with IBM SmartCloud for Social Business services. Developers can use OpenSocial APIs to get access to SmartCloud for Social Business profiles contacts, meetings, files and communities data. Companies can add their own custom actions to the SmartCloud for Social Business web experience. The tool kit is available now at:http://ibm.co/zNqIYO.

·    SmartCloud Entry on IBM System x: IBM Business Partners can now help small businesses experience cloud computing benefits with the new lower-cost (~$60K USD list) reference configuration of SmartCloud Entry on IBM System x. SmartCloud Entry is an easy to deploy, simple to use offering that features a self-service portal for workload provisioning, virtualized image management, and monitoring. This new configuration provides a template for Business Partners to help clients deploy a private cloud with a faster time-to-value. 

IBM Business Partners Driving Client Success in the Cloud

These new resources come as IBM Business Partners are winning with cloud and are driving innovations for clients globally. IBM is also announcing two new collaborations with clients including the Swiss LINK Institute and Tele Ticket Service.

The Swiss LINK Institute, a leading market research firm is working with IBM Business PartnernViso to better understand consumer sentiment. nViso software uses video to capture the visible emotional responses people have while watching an advertisement online. Using the IBM SmartCloud and IBM analytics software, the images are analyzed for seven basic emotions. The results give the Swiss LINK Institute's clients a rich scientific insight into how people respond to brands and messages. For example, an insurance company could quickly understand how people in their target demographic respond to their brand as compared to that of their competitors. The results can also be divided by demographic or compared to competitors campaigns. Prior to this solution, businesses were only able to capture basic anecdotal impressions that relied on people's ability to recall emotional reactions. 

Tele Ticket Service, a leader in online ticket sales, is working with IBM Business PartnerNumius to better understand consumer buying patterns. Numius teamed with IBM Business Partners I.R.I.S. ICT and Ondit to develop an analytics solution in the cloud.

With this new system, Numius analyzes consumer buying trends in real-time, enabling Tele Ticket Service to offer event organizers the insight they need to improve sales. Now, instead of scheduling an event and predetermining venue, ticket prices and ticket volume based on best guesses, event organizers can plan and promote events based on real data - who is buying the tickets, at what price, what type of seat and historical buying patterns.

The combination of IBM and Numius technology is driving improved sales and customer satisfaction for Tele Ticket Service. For example, when selling tickets for a recent U2 tour, Tele Ticket Service used the real time analysis of sales to successfully make a case for a second concert to be added, doubling their revenue.

“Cloud computing is changing the very fabric of the enterprise.  The cost effectiveness, security and simplicity it can bring to clients will make it easy for organizations to try new things and identify new growth opportunities,” said Mark Hennessy, general manager of global business partners, IBM. "As greater adoption of cloud by the channel continues to build in 2012, there will be a number of things for Business Partners to consider, from choosing cloud services to offer as well as decisions around branding, training, and customer pricing models. IBM provides a simplified approach to help Business Partners make these decisions, and in turn, provide the solid foundation to adopt innovative cloud business models and generate new revenue streams."

More than 1,000 Business Partners are working with IBM on cloud computing projects.  With the IBM Cloud Computing Specialty as the centerpiece of our partner programs, partners from all back grounds are re-inventing their businesses by aligning with one of the five cloud business models: Cloud Application Providers, Cloud Builders, Cloud Infrastructure Providers, Cloud Services Solution Providers and Cloud Technology Providers.

Follow the conversation on Twitter by searching #IBMPWLC 

For more information on IBM Cloud: www.ibm.com/smartcloud

For more information: http://www.ibm.com/press/us/en/presskit/36796.wss