Verizon Business Puts Managed Hosting Customers in the Driver's Seat

New Offering Brings Power of Web 2.0 to Corporate Users  

BASKING RIDGE, N.J. - Businesses now can directly manage their Web site content, intranets, extranets and blogs -- with just a couple of clicks of the mouse.  Verizon Business today announced the immediate availability in the U.S. and Europe of a new value-added offering that enables customers of the company's Managed Hosting service to quickly, securely and easily change online content via an easy-to-use, intuitive Web interface.  The new Application Management Service uses Alterian Content Management Enterprise Edition - Morello, a leading software platform for integrated marketing solutions.

(NOTE: An audio podcast, featuring the head of e-communications for the Welsh Assembly Government, discusses how the government is using Verizon's new Application Management Service to keep in touch with its citizens, available here [1].)             

With Verizon Business' Application Management Service, business users no longer need to acquire technical skills or to depend exclusively on the IT department to update content.  Authorized users can simply "drag and drop" content directly from their desktop into the interface, and then preview the Web pages exactly as they will appear online.  

"Verizon Business is witnessing a sea change in how businesses and their employees are embracing the Internet as a medium for rich interaction," said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president, global business products, Verizon.  "Today's corporate users depend on up-to-date content and social networking sites to work smarter and collaborate more effectively.  Verizon Business' new solution addresses that need, providing today's Web 2.0 workforce with the tools necessary to maintain a competitive edge."              

The new offering enables companies to boost creativity, facilitate secure information sharing and collaboration, and deliver information in real time. It also relieves companies' IT organizations of the burden of day-to-day Web-site management.  The flexible interface also can accommodate the addition of new users and technologies, allowing the company's Web site to grow along with the company. Verizon Business customer the Welsh Assembly Government-responsible for issues of day-to-day concern to the 3 million people of Wales, including the economy, health, education and local government-is using the new Application Management Service to dynamically update its external Web site.

Stuart Fitzgerald, head of e-communications for the Welsh Assembly Government, said, "In taking advantage of the Application Management Service, we can very reliably deliver the most up-to-date information so our citizens can be well informed about Assembly Government initiatives, as well as provide the platform to develop online citizen engagement.  This will greatly improve the way in which the Assembly Government can use e-communications in its day-to-day business."

The new Application Management Service is hosted in a secure, reliable environment to provide a highly available service.  The overall solution offers peace of mind for customers, and includes support for monitoring, maintenance, security, and backup and restore services.              

A demonstration of this new offering is available by clicking here [2].

New Offering Joins IP Application Hosting Services  

Verizon Business IP Application Hosting Services are part of the company's comprehensive portfolio of IT and hosting solutions that deliver complete, end-to-end, integrated IT and network solutions.  From simple colocation to full IT applications management, Verizon Business serves as a true extension of a customer's IT organization.  Services include Data Center Colocation, Remote Backup and Restore, Hosted Messaging and Instant Messaging, IT Service Desk, Akamai Services, IP Application Hosting and Remote IP Application Management.  More information is available athttp://www.verizonbusiness.com/us/itsolutions [3].