UUNET, an MCI WorldCom company and a global leader in Internet communications solutions, has extended its Partner Programme to provide leading developers of web-based software and hardware with access to its worldwide Internet network. The new Developer Partners, include application service providers (ASP), original equipment manufacturers (OEM) and independent software vendors (ISV). They will be able to offer their customers access to UUNETÕs wide range of hosting and connectivity options, based on the most widely deployed Internet infrastructure worldwide.
UUNET has successfully signed its first group of Developer Partners: ESOFT (ASP), Equiinet (OEM) and Progress Software (ISV). These and future Developer Partners are now able to leverage the strength of the UUNET brand, as well as benefit from marrying their applications and hardware with the high quality Internet services provisioned by UUNET. MCI WorldCom is currently investing $2 million a day in upgrading the UUNET network, which already consists of more than 1000 Points of Presence.
Steve Vanterpool, Developer Programme Manager, UUNET said: "The rapid evolution of the Internet, making it an essential element of economic activity, is creating tremendous opportunities for organisations that want to develop web-based software, hardware or services. Only UUNET has the Internet track-record, muscle and know-how to make these a success. We intend to bring into this new programme partners who are the market leaders and innovators. In short, like UUNET, they will set the standard for the rest of the industry."
The Developer Partner Programme: Other benefits of the programme include staff and customer training and online sales and marketing via the UUNET web-site, which provides businesses with a valuable source of information about third party services and products backed by UUNET. There are three categories for Developer Programme partners:
- Application Service Providers (ASPs) - the management and delivery of application capabilities - e.g. finance, personnel - to multiple customers and locations from data centres across secure virtual private IP networks.
- Independent Software Vendors (ISVs) - all software applications need to use the Internet in some fashion. This can range from web-enabled management information systems to using the Internet to support customers with software downloads and updates.
- Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) - Internet access devices are rapidly diversifying from the standard PC. To enter this market it is vital that new products meet current and future Internet standards. In addition, bundling of high quality Internet access can provide an on-going revenue stream.
Charles Sharland, Managing Director, ESOFT commented: "Within 12 months I believe that ESOFT Global will be the default choice for ASP business in Europe - working with UUNET across Europe we have the ability to bring that date forward. As a team we can now provide a fast, highly robust and secure ASP solution through the UUNET infrastructure."
Steve Blow, Director of Progress SoftwareÕs ASP Business Unit remarked: "We need to provide our ISV's with guaranteed Service Levels in order to bring them working solutions for hosting applications. Progress ISV's base their businesses on providing industrial strength applications to their customers in the most efficient ways possible. Progress has a high degree of confidence in recommending UUNET's reliable Internet access service in order to deliver performant ASP solutions to our ISV's."
Bob Jones, Chairman, Equiinet Ltd commented: "For customers to have a working solution they need a product that will handle email and web browsing in an easy and secure fashion, coupled with a reliable Internet access service. Equiinet is delighted to be associated with UUNET, bringing together the best of both product and service elements in order to deliver an unbeatable solution."
