Verizon to Offer Turnkey Teleworking Solution for Enterprise Customers

NEW YORK -- Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group announced today that it will provide its large business customers with a comprehensive, turnkey solution for managing remote access and teleworker programs.

With the tremendous growth in the use of remote access services, teleworking arrangements and highly mobile workers, corporations benefit from increased productivity and flexibility. However, remote access and teleworker programs also can create additional management, service and stability challenges.

Earlier this year, Verizon's Enterprise Solutions Group launched a comprehensive remote access and teleworking solution -- the Virtual Office Solution (VOS). Now, Verizon has increased its capabilities by providing a fully-outsourced, web-enabled solution.

As a result, large businesses can create virtual offices with a package of services that give teleworkers the same high-speed access and technical support at home that they are accustomed to using in the office - without the expense and hassle of setting up or managing an in-house telework program.

TManage, Inc., of Austin, Texas, under an agreement with Verizon Network Integration Corp., will support Verizon's new Managed Virtual Office Solutions (MVOS) program, the fully managed extension of the Virtual Office Solution. TManage is a national leader in providing fully outsourced, Web-supported teleworking solutions. Verizon Network Integration Corp. is part of Verizon's Enterprise Solutions Group, the unit dedicated to providing total integrated network solutions to large business customers across the United States.

Through its MVOS program, Verizon provides comprehensive voice and data services, advanced security options, equipment and single number routing within its calling areas for remote access to data services. Verizon customers using MVOS will use a Web-enabled interface, set up by TManage, to create and manage their entire remote access or teleworker program. Verizon and TManage will coordinate with end-users and vendors for equipment purchase and installation, as well as provide online and telephone technical support, ongoing program management, system maintenance and detailed reporting related to installation, problems and end user satisfaction.

In addition, Verizon will establish secure customer-specific Web sites through which end users can order communications services, equipment and request technical support. TManage will provide much of the highly specialized teleworking-specific services, including professional consulting services such as feasibility studies, technology assessments, human resources advice and planning, communications planning and training for both the end-user and end-user's manager

"Verizon's Virtual Office Solutions offering provides our customers with the robust networking elements needed to assemble dynamic teleworking programs," said Eduardo Menascé, president of Verizon's Enterprise Solutions Group. "And now they'll have the option of outsourcing all their remote access operations, freeing up resources for other business purposes.

"Multi-site and multi-state organizations can now purchase worry-free packages covering everything from setup and billing to maintenance and helpdesks, all supported with "Best In Class" services by Verizon and TManage," Menasce said.

"Today's successful companies recognize that managed remote worker programs not only can save them hard dollars in space and overhead costs, but also are critical to attracting and retaining top talent," said Glenn Lovelace, chief executive officer of TManage. "But most companies don't have the bandwidth or the depth of expertise to cost-effectively set up and manage a successful remote worker program.

"The link between Verizon and TManage makes it easy for Verizon business customers to quickly and effectively implement a cutting-edge program that otherwise would require a huge investment in time, resources and infrastructure," Lovelace said.

The telework industry accounted for nearly 20 million full-time remote workers in 1999, according to a Telework America survey. Analysts predict the number of full- and part-time teleworkers will soar to between 60 and 110 million by next year.

Early this year, Verizon, then Bell Atlantic, introduced Virtual Office Solutions as a complete palette of technologies and services businesses could use to give teleworkers the kind of communications support in remote locations that they had in the office. The virtual office concept is based on the premise that today's businesses require high-speed connections with employees who need to find, use and exchange information from remote locations.

Virtual Office Solutions are a continuum of services providing voice service and secure, high-speed remote LAN or Internet access for workers using analog, ISDN (integrated services digital network) or DSL (digital subscriber line) transport (See attachment). The package is a modular solution that uses Verizon's Managed Internet Protocol (IP) network as its foundation. Corporate customers purchase Basic Virtual Office Solutions so their employees can access a remote LAN or the Internet. They also can select additional services, now including complete program management and outsourcing.

MVOS will be available initially in most of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states served by Verizon and in other areas where carriers other than Verizon provide local service. It will be more broadly available later this year.

ABOUT VERIZON

Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ), formed by the merger of Bell Atlantic and GTE, is one of the world's leading providers of communications services. Verizon companies are the largest providers of wireline and wireless communications in the United States, with more than 100 million access lines and more than 25 million wireless customers. A Fortune 10 company with more than 260,000 employees and approximately $60 billion in 1999 revenues, Verizon's global presence extends to 40 countries in the Americas, Europe, Asia and the Pacific. For more information on Verizon, visit www.verizon.com.

ABOUT TMANAGE

TManage, Inc., the recognized leader in telework management, utilizes leading edge technologies and strategic partnerships to design, develop, launch and manage large-scale employee telework programs for major corporations and government agencies. The TManage team combines unrivaled telecommunications expertise and a proven track record of industry success to deliver the only single-source, end-to-end employee telework package available. The company is headquartered in Austin, Texas, with offices in Research Triangle Park, N.C., and Atlanta, Ga. Find more information about the company at www.tmanage.com.

Fact Sheet

Virtual Office Solutions

Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group

Early this year, Verizon, then Bell Atlantic, introduced Virtual Office Solutions as a complete palette of technologies and services businesses could use to give teleworkers the kind of communications support in remote locations as they had in the office. The virtual office is based on the premise that today's businesses require high-speed connections with employees who need to find, use and exchange information from remote locations.

Virtual Office Solutions are a continuum of services providing voice service and secure, high-speed remote LAN or Internet access for workers using analog, ISDN (integrated services digital network) or DSL (digital subscriber line) transport.

The package is a modular solution that uses Verizon's Managed Internet Protocol (IP) network as its foundation. Corporate customers purchase Basic Virtual Office Solutions so their employees can access a remote LAN or the Internet. They also can select additional services, now including complete program management and outsourcing.

The changing demands of the workforce and the increasing complexity of communications network technology have led Verizon to develop a single-source, remote access solution for large businesses.

For human resource departments, Virtual Office Solutions teleworking capabilities can be a powerful tool in attracting new workers, retaining existing employees and increasing their productivity, as well as lowering recruiting and training expenses. For financial managers, Virtual Office Solutions capabilities can be a way to save money on real estate by reducing the need for office space. Network and IT departments supporting teleworkers will be better able to tighten security, increase access speed and eliminate toll charges and costly modem pools.

The Virtual Office Solutions Bundle

Basic Virtual Office Solutions

Customers can tailor their remote access solution by selecting options to meet their particular business needs. Basic Virtual Office Solutions include:

*Access via analog, ISDN or DSL service, depending on customer needs and the availability of service in the area;

* End-user authentication and authorization for secure access to the network and an x.500 directory that contains user profiles;

* Local number dialing for data throughout Verizon's Northeast and Mid -Atlantic region via a single dial-up number, eliminating the need for toll calls;

* A 24-hour help desk that provides additional advanced support for companies that encounter problems beyond their basic troubleshooting capabilities (Optional for the non-managed VOS offering).

Enhanced Virtual Office Solutions

These features can be added to Basic Virtual Office Solutions:

* E-mail and Usenet options whereby Verizon can host email accounts and provide access to Usenet newsgroups at the customer's request;

* Additional security through Verizon's Managed Virtual Private Network provides an additional level of security that uses encryption, digital certificates and managed and shared firewalls;

* Access Services provide business grade voice services that employees would normally have at the office -- including conference calling, Caller ID, call forwarding and voice mail -- are now available at remote locations. Remote workers also can have their own Verizon corporate calling card;

* Enhanced Customer Care options offering basic Help Desk for data services and inside wire maintenance plans are available;

* Premises Equipment allows Verizon to satisfy any remote access need with equipment including a variety of telephone hardware such as single or two-line phones, cordless phones, ISDN sets, and a number of DSL and ISDN modems;

* Managed Virtual Office Solutions provides an outsourced, turnkey approach to remote access and telework program management.