MCI WorldCom Advanced Networks Launches Enterprise-Class Hosting And Hosting Professional Services
Support For Outsourcing
Complex, Applications To Meet Online Business Needs
COLUMBUS, OHIO, NOVEMBER 16, 1998 -- MCI WorldCom Advanced
Networks announced today a family of new hosting services that
enables corporations to effectively outsource the design,
installation and management of complex, custom hosting operations.
Enterprise-Class Hosting and Hosting Professional Services are the
latest additions from the company's Hosting and
Electronic-Commerce unit, which was formerly the Web hosting business
unit of UUNET Technologies.
"Two years ago companies were looking for simple shared or
dedicated web sites. Now they are creating mission-critical
applications to support on-line commerce or Intranet/Extranet
communities," stated Dave Foster, vice president and general
manager of MCI WorldCom Advanced Networks' Hosting and E-Commerce
unit. "These sites may involve multiple web servers, load
balancing devices, separate database and commerce engines, and
firewalls. Through the combined resources of MCI WorldCom Advanced
Networks, we offer companies experience and expertise in the creation
and management of these complex sites. These new services represent
the best practices we've developed in supporting leading-edge
customers."
Enterprise Class Hosting Services
MCI WorldCom's Enterprise-Class Hosting offers integrated
management of a company's hosting, networking, security, and
custom application services to develop high-performance, reliable
online business solutions. The new service includes: hosting
configuration and network integration services; a designated project
manager, a specially trained Enterprise Management Team (EMT) for
effective issue resolution, 24 x 7 site monitoring and management;
and custom applications supported on standard and non-standard
platforms. Each EMT is trained on the customer's infrastructure
and configuration, further enhancing MCI WorldCom's ability to
support the complex solution. Enterprise Class Hosting can have
multiple networking options including Internet, virtual private
networks (VPNs), frame relay and private dial services. With MCI
WorldCom's managed firewall service, InterManage, the hosting
environment can be set up to secure part or all of a company's
applications and data from public access.
Enterprise Class Hosting is available immediately. Pricing for the
service is based on the scope and complexity of the solution being
implemented. A custom quote is generated for each solution.
Professional Services
Giving customers support for custom or non-standard hosting hardware,
applications and databases, Professional Services adds flexible,
advanced support services to MCI WorldCom's existing core
hosting, commerce, enterprise class and co-location services. The
three-tiered service - Platform Edge, Application Edge and Database
Edge -- provides technical support and service so corporate customers
can focus on business, not technology.
Professional Services' Platform Edge provides installation,
configuration and management of unique or proprietary hardware and
operating system configurations including Sun, Compaq and SGI. With
Application Edge, MCI WorldCom provides installation and management
of custom-developed, proprietary and non-standard applications
including older, legacy systems to the latest, leading-edge
technologies. Database Edge provides database administrator and
management support for database solutions, based on customer-specific
requirements.
Visa's Web site, hosted at MCI WorldCom, makes use of
Professional Services. "Visa's Web sites appear in seven
languages and draw visitors from all over the world, reflecting our
status as the world's largest consumer payment system,"
stated Lisa Rogers, vice president, international marketing, Visa.
"Reliable performance is essential. MCI WorldCom's highly
qualified technical professionals know our custom configurations and
respond quickly. They're a vital part of our team for site
management."
Professional Services is available for a monthly retainer based on
the number of hours of projected usage. Engineers can also receive
specialized training to manage proprietary applications. Fees for
Professional Services start at $2,500.
MCI WorldCom's hosting group offers a comprehensive line of
hosting and e-commerce solutions including: business-class Internet
and Web hosting services for complete infrastructure outsourcing on
Microsoft Windows NT, BSD/OS and Sun-Solaris platforms; support for
leading Internet and Web applications such as chat and streaming
media; electronic-commerce services, co-location services, extended
enterprise solutions; and custom hosting support and services.
About MCI WorldCom Advanced Networks
Formed in 1998 from the combined MCI WorldCom companies of CompuServe
Network Services, ANS Communications, GridNet International and the
Web hosting business unit of UUNET Technologies. MCI WorldCom
Advanced Networks is a leading networking and hosting company and a
division of MCI WorldCom. MCI WorldCom Advanced Networks provides
more than 3,500 customers with complete, fully integrated, Internet,
Intranet and Extranet solutions in 114 countries. Additional
information on MCI WorldCom Advanced Networks can be found at
http://www.wcom.net
.
MCI WorldCom is a global telecommunications company with revenue
of more than $30 billion and established operations in over 65
countries encompassing the Americas, Europe and the Asia-Pacific
regions. MCI WorldCom is a premier provider of facilities-based and
fully integrated local, long distance, international and Internet
services. MCI WorldCom's global networks, including its
state-of-the-art pan-European network and transoceanic cable systems,
provide end-to-end high-capacity connectivity to more than 35,000
buildings worldwide. For more information on MCI WorldCom, visit the
World Wide Web at http://www.mciworldcom.com or
http://www.wcom.com
.
