AMF Bowling Centers and Verizon Business Strike Deal for Integrated Networking Solution

AMF Bowling Centers Inc. faced a challenge - how best to improve customer experience and position itself for growth by tapping the power of leading-edge information technology. 

Verizon Business stepped in with a comprehensive and integrated IP networking solution that will enable AMF Bowling Centers, based in Richmond, Va., to operate more effectively and efficiently across its more than 300 bowling centers in 38 states while offering customers an enhanced experience at the lanes.

Under a new three-and-a-half-year agreement, Verizon Business is providing AMF with a tailored solution that will enable critical applications including: Verizon voice over IP (VoIP); point of sale and credit card transactions; Web site hosting; video streaming; an on-demand hosted solution for downloading customers' musical selections; and, eventually, a video surveillance system for monitoring activity from centralized locations, and a centralized energy-management system for regulating temperature and lighting at each bowling center. 

A Verizon Managed Private IP network provides the essential platform for meeting AMF's advanced communications and IT applications needs.  Verizon Managed Private IP features six classes of service, enabling the prioritization of applications that is critical for business to run smoothly on today's heavily trafficked networks.  And by deploying Verizon IP Integrated Access VoIP service with a Burstable Enterprise Shared Trunk capability across all of its locations, AMF gains the streamlined network management and cost management of VoIP while extending the capabilities of the company's existing phone system.

"Despite the down economy, we concluded that the benefits of upgrading our IT infrastructure for long-term, strategic growth were innumerable," said Harsha Bellur, vice president of information technology at AMF Bowling Centers.  "Consolidating our data, voice and video applications onto one managed network has simplified our operations, proven to be cost-effective, and significantly reduced technical issues across our locations, sparing customers and staff from potential interruptions."

Added Bellur: "In addition, with locations across 38 states, we needed a reliable and stable technology partner that could match our broad national footprint.  Verizon Business' compelling combination of network, extensive managed offerings, professional services and account management has been central to helping us improve the overall experience of our customers."

Jared Kearney, senior vice president of sales with Verizon Business, said, "AMF exemplifies what can happen when advanced IP networking and managed network solutions come together.  Recognizing the operational and cost efficiencies that can result from outsourcing IT operations has customers around the globe turning to managed IP networking for streamlining their business models."

Verizon Business delivers a comprehensive portfolio of managed services, managing 260,000 plus security, network and hosting devices across more than 4,200 customer networks spanning 142 countries and territories, all backed by industry-leading SLAs.  The company's global infrastructure, one of the most connected IP networks in the world, provides a solid foundation from which to serve multinational corporations and government agencies. 

Verizon Business is a recognized leader in delivering advanced communications and information technology (IT) solutions to government agencies and large-business customers around the world.  Earlier this year, the company was ranked "Highest in Customer Satisfaction with Large Enterprise Business Data and Voice Service Providers" by J.D. Power and Associates in its annual study of home-based, small to mid-sized and large-enterprise customers.  Study factors used to measure satisfaction included performance and reliability, sales representatives/account executives, billing, cost of service, customer service, and offerings and promotions.

J.D. Power and Associates Disclaimer:  Verizon Business received the highest numerical score among data and voice service providers in the proprietary J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Major Provider Business Telecommunications Services Study - Data Services and Voice Services^SM.  U.S. home-based, small to mid-sized and large-enterprise business customers were surveyed to measure customer satisfaction with providers of telecommunications data services such as cable modem, DSL, T1, T3/DS3, IP-based networks for VPNs, Ethernet services, videoconferencing applications, Web site hosting and managed services, and voice services such as voice-over-IP (VoIP), call center technologies, toll-free services, voicemail/voice messaging, Centrex services, call forwarding, and local and long distance services.  The surveys were conducted in January and April 2009.

About AMF Bowling
AMF Bowling Centers, Inc. is the world's largest owner and operator of bowling centers, with 302 centers in the United States.  Over 20 million bowling enthusiasts a year choose AMF's traditional and 300 centers as their destination, bowling more than 100 million games. AMF is where America goes bowling. For additional information, visit www.amf.com.

About Verizon Business
Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with one of the world's most connected IP networks to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions.  We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment.  Many of the world's largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

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