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Sprint Creates 'Real-Time' Partnerships with Customers through Enhancements To Managed Services Portfolio

Posted on: Monday, 15 September 2003, 06:00 CDT

OVERLAND PARK, Kan., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- Sprint is expanding its managed services portfolio to give enterprise customers full access to Web-based reporting, monitoring and diagnostic tools in real time. By enhancing its Managed Channel Service Unit/Data Service Unit (Managed CSU/DSU) services, Sprint is providing customers additional service options, a clear view of end-to-end network management and IP migration paths.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20001013/SPRINTLOGO )

Sprint Managed Network customers now have the ability to access real-time, Web-based reports to gain greater visibility into their network performance. Real-time reporting is a critical tool that helps customers better manage network performance and capacity, and verify Sprint's service level agreements (SLAs).

"Sprint Managed CSU/DSU is enabling Wasserstrom, one of the nation's leading suppliers of restaurant supplies and equipment for the food service industry, to automate the collection, interpretation, and presentation of WAN service management information to optimize network performance and reduce overall network costs," said Tom Rush, chief information officer, Wasserstrom. "The real-time monitoring and troubleshooting features work to rapidly detect and isolate service degradation before users are affected, enabling Wasserstrom to better serve its customers, which include national restaurant chains, health care, supermarkets, and independent food service operators."

"Real-time infrastructure views will increasingly become the norm as customers continue to align their dynamic business requirements with technology," said Stephen Elliot, analyst, network and service management, IDC. "Customers are focusing more on their requirements for enhanced network visibility and Web-based reporting during vendor negotiations."

In addition to real-time reporting, Sprint Managed CSU/DSU now supports Frame Relay, ATM, IP and "hybrid" networks. Sprint also has the ability to upgrade CSU/DSU equipment via remote software downloads and conduct testing and diagnostics without interrupting service.

Sprint's Managed CSU/DSU services give customers both economical and performance-based alternatives for managed network monitoring and reporting. With the additions announced today, Managed CSU/DSU now satisfies a broad spectrum of customer demands by providing:

-- Reporting, capacity and diagnostic tools for Frame Relay, ATM, IP and

"mixed" networks;

-- Real-time and historical Web-based reports for network performance and

SLA verification;

-- Reporting solutions that enable customers to manage the capacity and

performance of their network, and improve network performance and

availability through faster problem isolation;

-- Automated upgrades to CSU/DSU devices via software downloads, allowing

customers to enjoy enhanced services and a migration path to IP without

unnecessary "truck rolls";

-- Proactive "up/down monitoring" and "performance reporting and SLA

verification" service level options, including customer notification

and verification of lost network connectivity.

"Increasing the breadth of our Managed CSU/DSU offering supports Sprint's strategic initiatives focused on customer service, customer empowerment, and IP-based technology and managed services," said Randy Ritter, vice president, product management, Sprint. "As managed services become more widespread, Sprint is ensuring that enterprise customers have the power to choose the equipment and services that meet their network management, monitoring and reporting needs."

Sprint Managed CSU/DSU services now incorporate Paradyne iMarc(TM) devices in addition to the currently supported Visual Networks UpTime(R) product line. This addition expands the types of services that can be supported by intelligent endpoint devices, and adds new diagnostic capabilities to Sprint Managed Service offers. Sprint Managed Network Services portfolio includes comprehensive management of WAN and LAN devices, including routers, hubs, switches, servers and applications in both pre-packaged and customized offerings. Sprint Managed Services also include managed IP virtual private network (VPN) and managed security services.

For more information on Sprint Managed Network Services, please visit http://www.sprintbiz.com/ .

About Sprint

Sprint is a global communications company serving more than 26 million business and residential customers in over 100 countries. With approximately 70,000 employees worldwide and nearly $27 billion in annual revenues, Sprint is widely recognized for developing, engineering and deploying state-of-the- art network technologies, including the United States' first nationwide all- digital, fiber-optic network and an award-winning Tier 1 Internet backbone. Sprint provides local voice and data services in 18 states and operates the largest 100-percent digital, nationwide PCS wireless network in the United States. For more information, visit http://www.sprint.com/ .