Wednesday 16th January 2002

InterFusion Networks Launches Network Operations Centre
Clients Can Now Outsource Monitoring and Management of their IT Infrastructure

Dublin, Wednesday, 16th January 2002 Professional services company, InterFusion Networks has launched a range of Remote Management and Monitoring Services from its new Network Operations Centre (NOC) in Dublin. The portfolio of services, aimed at organisations with multiple branch offices or between 100 and 1000 PC users will allow Network and IT Managers to focus company staff more pro-actively by outsourcing day-to-day monitoring and fault analysis to a third party. This will aid organisations in reducing operating costs while providing higher service levels to users in network uptime and more reliable network performance.

Derek Daly, Managing Director, (InterFusion Networks) believes the new services will appeal to organisations that are struggling to advance their IT infrastructure because key staff spend most of their time fire-fighting. "Our experience suggests that most medium-sized companies would like to keep overall control of their IT development. They are looking for help in monitoring, fault finding and fixing basic problems, which tie up expensive internal IT and Network staff. As companies come to grips with changing economic conditions, greater competitive pressures and the e-Business revolution, outsourcing of repetitive day-to-day tasks will continue to be an attractive operational strategy."

The services provided from InterFusion’s NOC range from basic monitoring of network nodes, server devices and connections to a fully, pro-active management service, which includes fault analysis, remote re-configuration and upgrades as well as on-site repair and hardware replacement. All services provide monthly statistical reports on Network and Server uptime including detailed traffic patterns, which can aid in capacity planning. Management services cover LAN, WAN, Server and Firewall infrastructures and can be implemented via leased line, frame relay or secure VPN (Virtual Private Network) links.

Derek Daly believes that the managed services market is at an embryonic stage in Ireland and cites the delayed rollout of broadband access technology in the form of Cable and DSL as a serious constraint to its growth. "The growth of managed services is dependent on the availability of always on connections using a cost model which is within reach of all organisations. We welcome the imminent introduction of a limited ADSL service and believe that Telecom Service Providers and Cable Operators alike should be much more pro-active in ensuring that indigenous industry can avail of next-generation access infrastructure. In the meantime, Telecom Providers need to review their price models for always on Internet services particularly outside of the 01 area."