Qwest Offers Managed Security, Network Management Services with IBM

Qwest Communications announced the launch of two managed solutions, Qwest iQTM Managed Security Service and Qwest iQTM Network Management Service, which deliver on a relationship Qwest and IBM previously announced to provide a technology ecosystem specifically designed for businesses with 15,000 employees or fewer.

MMS helps reduce the costs and complexities associated with managing security needs, while mitigating the impact of liability and security threats from malware, SPAM e-mail, unauthorized network access and Internet resource misuse. NMS is a network monitoring and management product suite that provides out-tasking of all or part of customer's data network. It is a package of products and services for building and proactively overseeing networks.

MMS enables customers to leverage Qwest expert tools, skills and processes to improve their system uptime and performance, optimize security investments, improve employee productivity and demonstrate compliance. It is supported by IBM Internet Security Systems (ISS), a specialist of managed security service with worldwide redundant security operation centers, security research within the X-Force organization, and certified engineers and security analysts to provide 24/7 support.

NMS helps enable customers to control operational costs, while improving network uptime and performance, regulatory compliance and to optimize their security investments. It provides around-the-clock health and fault monitoring of network devices by IBM's skilled operations analysts using automated surveillance tools. Customers can view network performance statistics, alerts and create and manage trouble tickets, all from Qwest's QControl Portal.

Qwest pilot customer Team Industries-a designer and manufacturer of transmission assemblies, components and CVTs for a variety of on and off-highway markets-said it is already experiencing the benefits. Qwest worked with Team Industries to implement a scalable and cost-effective solution to provide more capabilities to offload router and existing Web filtering, increase security to mitigate viruses and spam, eliminate traffic going through Team Industries' six locations and interconnect those locations with resilient technology.
"When we announced our relationship with IBM, we showcased that Qwest would design and deliver new solutions that let customers redirect their operational dollars to strategic initiatives and make IT a competitive differentiator rather than a cost center. Qwest is now delivering new midsize business solutions that customers like TEAM Industries can leverage for success," said Eric Bozich, vice president of Qwest Business Markets Group product management.

Krysten Westrum, IT manager at Team Industries, said their smaller manufacturing firm's needs mimic that of a larger enterprise. "We found that Qwest and IBM's solution addresses those needs and provides us with access to security and network experts," she said. "Although two companies are involved, our experience with support and visibility into service information has been seamless. We are confident that as we grow, Qwest and IBM are there to provide us with scalable solutions to meet our needs."