This single, cost-effective enterprise network will serve as a high-performance information delivery platform for AFG. The network will allow AFG to deliver secure, enterprise-wide applications and services and enable its businesses to maintain a leading position in the insurance industry.
From ensuring high internal and external network security to providing high performance, availability and scalability, the AT&T managed services and hosting solution will support existing and future mission-critical business applications, said Rob Agar, divisional senior vice president and chief technology officer, AFG. AT&T’s solution set and cutting-edge capabilities meet our business goals so we can concentrate on growing our core businesses.
AT&T will provide a broad range of AFG’s networking infrastructure and services, including transport, remote access, Internet, extranet, web hosting and securityall running on AT&T’s award-winning Private IP (Internet Protocol) VPN (Virtual Private Network) service and all located in one of AT&T’s secure, redundant Internet Data Centers (IDCs). AT&T recently announced this capability to integrate and host a company’s Private IP VPN service in one of AT&T’s IDCs.
We are thrilled to be associated with AFG as they entrust us with their network and critical network management functions, said Craig Grills, managed data services vice president, AT&T. Businesses like AFG are looking to AT&T to provide integrated network services that deliver strong reliability and security, plus top-notch network performance.
AT&T will manage routers at all locations across AFG’s enterprise network. In addition, AFG is one of the first customers to use AT&T Managed Router Service to connect to AT&T’s Private IP VPN service, a capability that was announced last month.
Based on Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) technology, AT&T’s Private IP VPN service integrates the high performance and security of enterprise-class, private data networks with the ubiquity and flexibility of IP, providing businesses with the best of both worlds. In selecting AT&T’s Private IP VPN service, which uses AT&T’s IP-Enabled Frame Relay and A(TM) networks, AFG is able to plan and execute a smooth transition from its existing environments to the new network technology platform.
Agar said, We required a service provider who could deliver a comprehensive, end-to-end networking solution utilizing a service-based model. AFG is not a networking company, and this arrangement allows us to work with a qualified provider on a monthly operating basis.
Because of the breadth and complexity of the managed services involved, AT&T is providing AFG with a custom designed, enterprise-wide technical support center.
The facility will give AFG a single point of contact for maintenance reporting, tracking and the resolution of problems for all AT&T managed services.
AT&T is working with two members of its award-winning Alliance Program, the company’s indirect channel program, to support this complex network management project. The companies are Data Processing Sciences Corp. of Cincinnati, and Diversified Systems Resources of Bartlesville, Okla.
SOURCE: COMPANY PRESS RELEASE
