Sun forms strategic relationship with BT Ignite Content HostingSan Franscisco 17 January 2001 Sun Microsystems has entered into a strategic business relationship with BT Ignite Content Hosting, the hosting arm of Ignite, BT's new international broadband Internet Protocol (IP) data and solutions business. This relationship positions Sun as the sole supplier of Unix-based servers to BT Ignite Content Hosting's extensive network of Internet data centres.
Sun is also to supply storage products and related technologies, as well as
provide consulting, support, remote monitoring and training on an
on-site basis. The agreement includes a dedicated configuration
facility at Sun's manufacturing facility in Linlithgow, Scotland.
BT Ignite Content Hosting has purchased approximately $20 million in
Sun products and services for the Internet data centres to date, with
plans to expand its commitment over the next several years. The two
companies have already collaborated to add customers such as Airtours,
one of the world's largest air-inclusive vacation providers, to the
list of companies utilizing the new centres' hosting services.
Sun Microsystems is slated to play a major role in the deployment of BT
Ignite Content Hosting's Internet infrastructure strategy to provide
the necessary mission critical, web-based solutions for its extensive
network of Internet data centres. The Sun technology to be included in
the deal currently includes Sun carrier-grade Netra T1 servers; Sun
Enterprise 420R, Sun Enterprise 4500 and 10000 model servers; Sun
StorEdge T3 array and StorEdge N8200 filer storage
devices.
In order to meet the service level commitments set by BT Ignite Content
Hosting, Sun will be delivering on-site support along with a host of
remote services to deliver the highest possible levels of
availability. Sun is also to provide a suite of skills assessment and
training packages for BT Ignite's technical personnel.
As previously announced, BT, ATT and Concert plan to jointly invest
approximately $2 billion over the next two years to develop a network
of 44 Internet data centres in 16 countries to deliver seamless global
e-commerce services. The Sun and BT Ignite Content Hosting
relationship will see Sun technology populating the extensive network
of data centres currently in 9 European countries including the UK,
Ireland, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and
Sweden.
Vernon Irvin, President of BT Ignite Content Hosting, commented: "We
have chosen to work with Sun based on the company's proven reputation
for delivering Internet solutions with the highest levels of
reliability, availability, scalability and security - all vital
ingredients of the BT Ignite Content Hosting service."
BT Ignite Content Hosting will also become a SunTone[sm] accredited
Service Provider for its IP infrastructure and services. The SunTone
Certification and Branding Program is a collaborative effort with
industry-wide support, led by Sun to make 24x7 service and reliability
the norm for consumer and business Internet-based services. SunTone
certification is designed to give customers the confidence that the
Service Provider's operations and infrastructure have been evaluated
and judged to be reliable and of high quality.
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