OpenReach Inc. Monday rolled out
business Internetworking services that will enable small-and-midsize
businesses to set up secure networks in minutes.
OpenReach services work with any ISP, any access technology and any vendor
equipment, eliminating reliance on proprietary vendor hardware and reliance
on a single network service provider. The OpenReach service automates
everything from device configuration to security management, and enables
businesses to easily and securely network employees, partners and customers
as if they were all under one roof.
The core of the service is the OpenReach network operations center
which provides full-time monitoring and alerting, 24-hour customer support and
backup and recovery services. Comprehensive administration, directory and
authentication services, automated software distribution, real-time network
status and weekly accounting and reports are available to customers through
any Web browser.
OpenReach customers can use the OpenReach network center to manage their network
themselves or subscribe to managed services through resellers, consultants
and ISPs. OpenReach transforms an ISP’s investment in basic IP
infrastructure into value-added business services. With OpenReach, a VAR or
consultant can generate profitable revenue from managed network services
with no additional overhead.
“The tremendous promise of Internet-based business networking has gone
unfulfilled, because technologies like Virtual Private Networks have proven
too costly and complex for the SMB market due to incompatible equipment and
service options that are expensive and inflexible,” said Mark Tuomenoksa,
chairman and chief executive officer of OpenReach. “Our goal is to make
connecting geographically dispersed LANs as easy as clicking a mouse and
setting up a buddy list.”
OpenReach services will be available this summer, starting at $99 per month
per location.
