Qwest Communications International Inc. announced today (Sept 25) that Qwest Cyber.Solutions LLC (QCS) has been awarded a 5-year contract worth $18 million from Redback Networks Inc., a leading provider of advanced networking solutions.

By using QCS' ASP solution to connect and streamline their internal and external enterprise resource planning (ERP), customer relationship management (CRM) and manufacturing operations, Redback can focus on growing the company in the aggressive Internet infrastructure market.

The complex integrated ASP solution brings together Oracle's ERP applications and Siebel System's CRM applications with additional applications to create an integrated solution that will ensure the availability and movement of business critical data from Redback's sales ordering, manufacturing and delivery cycle through to customer care.

QCS will provide Redback with its Ultimate Freedom product, which includes the entire package of ASP services ranging from software to hosting, and ongoing management for this integrated solution. Additionally, QCS will host and manage four of Redback's already existing applications that will connect to the Oracle applications.

"By combining multiple, best of breed applications in a fully hosted and managed environment, our manufacturing ASP solution will deliver the performance, scalability and efficiency that will keep Redback tracking for future successes," said John Charters, president and CEO of Qwest Cyber.Solutions.

The contract includes implementation services by QCS partner KPMG Consulting. The applications will be hosted in Qwest's CyberCenters and remotely managed by QCS. QCS leverages Qwest's state-of-the-art Internet protocol broadband network and CyberCenters as well as KPMG's consulting and software integration expertise. QCS' software applications portfolio includes Ariba, Captura, Oracle, PeopleSoft, SAP, Siebel and others.