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IBM Introduces Standards Based Systems for Next Generation Telecommunications
tekVizion Helps VarTec Telecom Lower Operational
Costs via IBM BladeCenter Solution
ARMONK, NY--(MARKET WIRE)--Jun 22, 2004 -- IBM today announced
an integrated set of products and services based on open standards
that helps telecommunications companies provide faster and more
economical telecom services for their customers. The new IBM eServer
Integrated Platform for Telecommunications (IP-T), provides customers
with proven hardware solutions based on the eServer BladeCenter
and eServer BladeCenter T running carrier grade Linux and supported
by IBM Global Services.
In addition to the IP-T, IBM also plans to offer
the Integrated Platform for Telecommunications - Extended Offering,
which includes the integrated features of IP-T, combined with
middleware such as IBM WebSphere, DB2 and Tivoli. The IP-T platforms
have been developed to assist customers as they transition from
their existing proprietary systems to an open standards based
technology. This is an increasingly common situation as the data,
voice and enterprise networks converge and Next Generation Network
datacenters are deployed.
IBM also announced that VarTec Telecom, a leading
provider of local and long distance service to residential and
small business customers in the United States and around the world,
has deployed IP-T enabled eServer BladeCenter and BladeCenter
T systems to power their telecom networks operation. VarTec worked
with tekVizion PVS, Inc (www.tekvizion.com) to develop a customized
network solution utilizing IBM technology. tekVizion's ongoing
role of providing network operations support to VarTec was expanded
to provide additional solution testing, integration, software
development and support services for the BladeCenter solution.
The new Linux-based system is expected to help VarTec deliver
new services to their customers faster, more easily and at lower
costs.
"VarTec uses innovative technologies and strategic
vendor relationships to ensure we can provide value-added services
and affordable local and long-distance calling to our rapidly
growing customer base," said Kevin Hausler, chief technology
officer, VarTec. "IBM's BladeCenter platform coupled with
tekVizion's depth of industry experience provides us with a cost-effective
solution that allows us to continue to offer innovative call services
at some of the lowest rates in the industry."
IBM is the world's leading vendor of blade systems
(1), and customers such as VarTec can choose from perhaps the
industry's most extensive portfolio of blade server systems, modules
and options as they deploy their telecommunications infrastructures.
(2)
"IBM is leveraging its industry leadership in blades and
Linux to deliver an open, integrated approach to network delivery
for telecom companies," said Jim Pertzborn, vice president
IBM eServer telecommunications solutions. "By utilizing this
IPT solution, telecom providers can reduce the time required to
introduce new services, reduce their total costs and more importantly
improve their customer experience."
IBM is further expanding upon its focus on the telecommunications
industry by announcing that the IBM TotalStorage FAStT600 and
the IBM TotalStorage EXP700 have been issued a Certificate of
Conformance by National Technical Systems, Inc., for conformance
to Network Equipment-Building System requirements for Level 3
type 2 and 4 equipment (NEBS 3). The NEBS standards represent
the telecommunications industry's stringent requirements relating
to the ability of network equipment to survive severe environmental
conditions, including high temperature, violent shaking, lightning
strikes, airborne contaminants, fires, and electrostatic discharge.
Additionally IBM announced the new eServer xSeries
343, a powerful NEBS-compliant rack server designed specially
for the telecom industry. The xSeries 343 features dual Intel
Xeon 2.4/533 processors, 12 GB, fast 266 MHz PC2 100 memory and
two hot-swap Ultra 320 SCSI x 144 GB storage capability.
The eServer Integrated Platform for Telecommunications
and eServer Integrated Platform for Telecommunications - Extended
Offering are currently available with pricing based on solution
requirements. The eServer xSeries 343 is expected to be available
in August with pricing to be announced.
About IBM
IBM is the world's largest information technology
company, with 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate.
Drawing on resources from across IBM and key Business Partners,
IBM offers a wide range of services, solutions and technologies
that enable customers, large and small, to take full advantage
of the new era of e-business. For more information about IBM,
visit www.ibm.com.
About VarTec Telecom, Inc.
VarTec has built a billion-dollar business in consumer
telecommunications by developing opportunities that larger public
companies often neglected. Founded in 1989, the company pioneered
the US dial-around business with the lowest cost of customer acquisition
in the industry. VarTec is continuing its legacy of profitable
growth by competing in the local phone service market, as well
as expanding rapidly into Europe. In 2002, VarTec found a unique
opportunity to acquire and reinvigorate Excel Telecommunications
and leverage its low cost network marketing and high customer
loyalty to grow the business even more rapidly in the U.S., Canada
and Europe. VarTec is also further developing its VarTec Solutions
subsidiary to provide enterprise and wholesale services. VarTec
has its own switching and network infrastructure in the US and
Europe. It has also taken a large ownership position in ProTel,
which provides network services on a wholesale and retail basis
in Mexico.
IBM, BladeCenter, BladeCenter T, eServer, xSeries
and the IBM e-business logo are trademarks or registered trademarks
of International Business Machines Corporation. For a list of
additional IBM trademarks, please see www.ibm.com/legal/copytrade.shtml.
Intel and Xeon are trademarks or registered trademarks
of Intel Corporation.
All other company/product names and service marks may be trademarks
or registered trademarks of their respective companies.
Statements concerning IBM's pricing, future development
plans and schedules are made for planning purposes only, and are
subject to change or withdrawal without notice.
(1) For the second consecutive quarter, IBM was
the worldwide leader in blade server shipments and blade server
revenue (fourth quarter 2003 and first quarter of 2004). Source:
IDC's Worldwide Quarterly Server Tracker, May 2004
(2) IBM is the only company providing customers
a choice of blades with BladeCenter systems possessing 64-bit
PowerPC technology (eServer JS20), or highly scalable 2-way and
4-way BladeCenter systems with 32-bit Intel Xeon processor technology
(eServer HS20 and eServer HS40). IBM's BladeCenter-T, offers a
specialized chassis, which is hardened to meet the demanding needs
and NEBS requirements of the telecom, defense and aerospace industries.
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