Qwest Inks Deal With IBM To Offer Managed Services To Midsize Companies

The 5-year deal is intended to result in delivering enterprise-class network and security services that are affordable for smaller companies.According to Qwest and IBM, the new network management services are designed to deliver advanced security solutions, communications and network management tools technologies while minimizing capital expenditures and stress on SMB's IT budgets, staff and technical skills. Services are divided into three key areas:

Managed Security Services powered by IBM Internet Security Systems with real-time, 24x7x365 protection against all kinds of malicious activity. Network Management Services managed by IBM Express Remote Management Infrastructure Services (ERMIS). This highly automated solution monitors data network performance, identifies issues, notifies customers, and initiates resolution for a broad range of network devices. Unified Communications Services also managed by ERMIS to provide businesses with fewer than 100 IP phones with remote monitoring, reporting and management for a unified communications telephony service.

Qwest and IBM Global Business Services will build a Web-based portal with real-time alerts and advisories to let midsize companies monitor the performance of their network services and make changes via a single interface. This all sounds good, but 5 years is a long time, and these kinds of over-arching deals don't alway pan out as intended. But any progress these two giants can make in bringing enterprise class technology management to smaller companies is good news.

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