Equant Debuts Worldwide Hosting of Microsoft Applications

Equant (Paris Bourse: EQU) Thursday launched its Hosted Applications service, a global offering that enables multinational companies to rapidly equip their employees worldwide with a standard suite of Microsoft business applications.

Equant’s offering also positions it as the ASP with the biggest global network for fast, secure access to any software or specialized business application housed in its data centers. Equant can host a full range of platforms and applications, including Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Office 2000 and Microsoft Exchange Server, as well as industry-leading applications from other software vendors.

“By providing access to a wide range of Microsoft applications for its hosting customers, Equant is poised to deliver great functionality, performance and value with its new services,” said Mark Chestnut, director, Network Solutions Group, Microsoft Corp. “With the ability to host and manage Microsoft applications in more than 130 countries, Equant is delivering a truly global solution for business customers.”

Equant is working with Compaq Computer Corporation to deliver this ASP service using Compaq’s ProLiant servers. Equant’s ASP services are backed by a global service level agreement (SLA), marking it as the only global provider that can offer customers one SLA worldwide.

“Multinational businesses have been testing and are interested in our Hosted Applications offering because it enables them to work with just one company for faster deployment of software worldwide,” said Jean-Yves Charlier, president of markets and sales for Equant

Equant operates the world’s largest network, providing voice, data, Internet, integration and application services to companies around the globe. The network reaches key business centers in more than 220 countries and territories.

See related ASPnews.com story, Microsoft gears up ASP strategy, Sept 18th 1999.