NTT/VERIO Managed Messaging Solution Increases Corporate Productivity and Security with Minimal Hassle and Costs [15th July 2003]

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., Jul 15, 2003 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- BusinessXchange Solution, Based on Leading Microsoft and Apptix Technologies, Delivers Ongoing Availability and Ubiquitous Access While Saving Time And IT Resources.

Verio, a subsidiary of NTT Communications and a leader in global IP solutions, today announced the availability of the NTT/VERIO BusinessXchange service for medium and large enterprises. Built on the Microsoft Exchange platform, the new service delivers universal access to email, calendars, and shared files using Outlook 2002 and Outlook Web Access. Working with Microsoft Corp., a worldwide leader in software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business computing, and developed in collaboration with Apptix, a provider of service management software and solutions for the outsourced messaging and desktop services market, the offering will be implemented through NTT/VERIO Premier Data Centers in the United States.

The NTT/VERIO BusinessXchange will save enterprises of any size time and money compared to their traditional in-house deployment. Further, BusinessXchange provides businesses significant savings with their ongoing operational expenses by allowing them to choose only those features they require for their specific needs. A fully automated technology platform, complete with self-provisioning tools, built into BusinessXchange provides companies the standardization they need and gives their users the empowered solution they desire. All administration is performed through a simple, web-based administration portal that automates provisioning and maintenance tasks, eliminating the need for hands-on configuration of Active Directory, Exchange and a host of other back-end technologies.

"We give customers the tools to run their businesses and manage their resources more efficiently," said Pascal Martin, general manager for Microsoft's Communication and Mobility Solutions Group. "For managed messaging, enterprises indicated the need for a messaging solution that allows them to save money and incorporate the right products at the right time. Verio carries this capability forward to its customers, reaching a significant portion of the market with value-added outsourcing services and managed applications that help businesses improve productivity and maximize their online capabilities."

Depending on their organizational needs, Verio will offer three levels of service for businesses to choose from. These tiers range from simple POP3 and Outlook Web Access to full Microsoft Outlook and Exchange capabilities. With all tiers of the service, Verio will provide 24x7 support, focusing on system security, reliability, patch and upgrade management as well as administrator customer service. Verio also offers an uptime Service Level Agreement of up to 99.5 percent, greatly minimizing lost productivity due to service outages.

"Developing the appropriate messaging solution internally can be a daunting and costly task for even the largest corporation employing the savviest of IT professionals," said Isabel Ehringer, president of Verio's Enterprise Hosting Business Unit. "Working with Microsoft and Apptix, Verio's new managed messaging solution allows businesses looking to outsource their existing email system the best opportunity on the market to accomplish their IT and financial objectives. They can use this new offering to lower their Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) associated with running messaging and collaboration products, while increasing functionality of services and user administration, scaling costs more efficiently and taking advantage of product enhancements over time."

BusinessXchange answers strong industry demand for a corporate messaging solution that increases reliability and security while boosting workforce productivity and lowering TCO. Key highlights include:

Increased Security

-- Comprehensive security features are included for virus
protection and security alerts

-- SPAM and content filters are available to tag and block
questionable content

-- A sophisticated security framework based on ISO 17799 includes
management, standards, policies, people, technology, processes
& assessment

Increased Availability

-- Redundant architecture and advanced features for clustering
and load balancing enable one of the highest levels of
availability

-- Industry leading tools monitor the application to ensure the
system is operating at peak performance, 24x7

-- Storage Area Network (SAN) backend architecture to ensure
increased performance

Pricing and Availability

The NTT/VERIO BusinessXchange service is available immediately to both the reseller and retail channels. Three service plans are offered: BusinessXchange Standard, Premium and Executive, with a monthly retail price starting at $3.95 per user. Verio is offering an industry-leading special offer for companies that choose to take advantage of the NTT/VERIO BusinessXchange service. Through September 30 2003, clients who purchase the service will receive:

-- Free set up, with normal fee waived

-- Free TCO analysis

-- Credit for the first, second and third months' service based
upon service agreement length of 12, 24 or 36 months
respectively

More information can be found at www.verio.com/powerplatform/businessxchange or by calling 800-GET-VERIO. The product is available in both shared and dedicated offerings.

About Apptix

Apptix (OSE:APP) is leading the shift to on-demand computing with its service management software and solutions for the outsourced messaging and desktop services market. Apptix provides its service provider and reseller partners with software and turnkey solutions that include all the elements necessary for a successful outsourced application offering. This includes the TECOS(R) service management software, a wide variety of ready-to-sell services, and a packaged marketing and sales program to ensure a successful product launch. Apptix is a Microsoft Gold Certified Partner for Hosting and Application Services and an industry leader in delivering outsourced solutions to network service providers. In 2002, the company was named by Microsoft as the Global Service Provider of the Year for Hosting and Applications Services. Founded in 1997 and formerly a division of TeleComputing ASA, Apptix is one of the world's most experienced application hosting companies. For more information about Apptix, please visit www.apptix.com.

About Verio

Verio Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of NTT Communications (NTT Com), which provides long distance and international telecommunications reaching over 200 countries worldwide. Verio is the world's largest operator of Web sites for businesses and a leading provider of global IP solutions. NTT Com and Verio market their global IP solutions under the NTT/VERIO brand. The company offers businesses a broad range of Internet services, including Web hosting, dedicated access, virtual private networks, and managed service offerings, among other enhanced services. Verio supports its operations with highly reliable and scalable global infrastructure and systems including the NTT/VERIO Global IP Network, and provides Web hosting services to customers in more than 146 countries. The combination of Verio and NTT Com offers services to meet the growing and diverse needs of all businesses, including small to medium businesses, large global enterprises and multi-national corporations. More information can be found at www.verio.com and www.ntt.com/index-e.html

SOURCE: NTT/VERIO

Verio Inc.
Marla Kramer, 703-333-6820
mkramer@verio.net
or
Text 100 for Verio
Nina Velasquez, 212-871-5173
ninav@text100.com