Mi8, a New York-based messaging and collaboration ASP, today announced an alliance with IT outsourcing giant EDS . The Texas-based EDS will resell Mi8’s Microsoft Exchange-based messaging service using a co-branded version of Mi8’s proprietary administration and provisioning tools.
Mi8 is the first collaborative ASP to become an alliance partner with EDS. The alliance is bearing fruit quickly for the companies, who wasted little time announcing their first customer — the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF).
The contract with IAAF will account for about 700 new users. IAAF is based in Monaco and organizes such events as the World Championships for Track and Field, the World Cup and the International Golden League/Grand Prix Circuit. EDS and Mi8 will provide a globally structured e-mail system, which will ensure that IAAF affiliate communications occur immediately.
Under terms of the alliance, EDS and Mi8 will evaluate and deploy other software in Mi8’s application service model. The companies will also collaborate on sales and marketing projects to extend the reach of the hosted application services.
“Our customers’ requirements are continually evolving, and software as a service is now a preferred delivery model for messaging and collaboration software for a high percentage of our customers,” said Tim Morton, president, EDS E Solutions, U.S. and Latin America. “Mi8 is a field-proven provider of these services.”
Mi8 points to recent IDC research that reports that ASPs who partner wisely improve their chances to attract customers, particularly large customers.
“EDS’ service organization and reach into Global 2000 companies are unmatched by other technology outsourcers, and their recognition of the demand for application services is a milestone in the development of this computing model,” said Dave Castellani, CEO of Mi8.
Mi8 offers Microsoft Exchange with a provisioning and administration system that is designed to provide companies with control user accounts through a easy-to-use interface. Called “Q,” the proprietary system integrates a variety of new technologies and tools, according to Mi8, including Microsoft SQL Server 2000, Infranet software from Portal and XML. Q is tied to Mi8’s clustered Exchange deployment, enabling it to provide “instant-on” for new accounts, real-time account changes (such as adding storage space or wireless services) and deletions and more.
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