Syndesis Eases the Complexity of IP-VPN Service Delivery to Ensure Tier 1 Carrier Success

Toronto (ots/PROTEXT) 15. 9. 2004 - Enhancements to IP-VPNSolution Suite Help Curtail Competitive Pressures and BoostBottom Line

Syndesis has released enhancements to its IP-VPN solutionsuite that further shield the world's leading telecommunicationscompanies from the complexity of VPN services, the IPapplications they enable, and the still-maturing networks andtechnologies that enable them. The carrier-proven, multi-vendoroffering fulfills the service provider need to marry traditionalnetwork reliability with the flexibility, speed and security IPapplications demand, both in the network and the back office.Additionally, by empowering service providers to convert networkfunctionality and application capabilities into services andautomatically translating carrier marketing specifications intodetailed network configurations, the Syndesis solution enablesproviders to define and deliver differentiated VPN-basedservices rapidly and cost-effectively.

With a fierce focus on the bottom line, service providers arelooking to quickly bring IP-VPN and VPN-based services to marketin order to address demands from both competitors and customers.The hurdle lies between defining new services and getting themonto the network at a time when volumes are growing steadily andnew technologies are increasing the complexity of servicedelivery, making it impossible for providers to continue relyingon cumbersome manual or script- based processes to provisionVPNs.

"Traditional provisioning systems are not practical for IP-VPN delivery because they were built to manage point-to-pointpipes. Provisioning IP-VPNs is much more complex, requiringcontrol of IP address management, routing protocolconfiguration, subscriber management, security and -- in somecarrier environments -- provisioning of the underlying Layer 2or Layer 1 infrastructure. At the same time, the system mustenable the management of both standardized and custom VPNservices, and it must be able to accommodate vendor- specificimplementations of still-evolving technologies," said SanjayMewada, Vice President, Communications Infrastructure andSoftware for the Yankee Group. "To combat these and otherprovisioning complexities, and to enable the profitable deliveryof VPN-based services, providers must look to automation, andthat means turning to a new breed of intelligent provisioning andactivation solutions."

The Syndesis Solution

The Syndesis IP-VPN solution suite is engineered to manageVPN complexity and, at the same time, provide the flexibilitynecessary to respond to technology that is still maturing andservice catalogs that are continually expanding. Management ofnew and existing VPN services is centralized, integration withother BSS/OSS systems is simplified, deployment is guaranteed andcosts are minimized.

"Our software empowers service providers to make optimal useof skilled personnel and implement substantial cost-savingmeasures, resulting in an immediately apparent and positiveimpact on their bottom line," said Mark Nicholson, ChiefTechnology Officer and Vice President of Product Development forSyndesis. "Typically, routine provisioning of VPNs is beingcarried out by highly-trained personnel. Syndesis makes itpossible for these scarce resources to be reassigned to areas --because they cannot be significantly automated -- that trulyneed this expertise, such as troubleshooting, network planning ornetwork design. We are also starting to see a shift from all-custom VPNs to more standardized models, which service providerswould only customize for key customers. This will enableproviders to fully leverage their IP provisioning solutions andallow for greater fulfillment automation, which will ultimatelyincrease margins and curtail customer attrition throughconsistent offerings and lower cost for service."

With the latest enhancements to its IP-VPN solution suite,Syndesis is proud to offer: -- A fully integrated multi-service offering that weds networkreliability and IP flexibility and that consolidatesprovisioning, reconciliation, and network optimization functionsacross multiple network layers. The Syndesis solution enablesservice providers to reduce operations and maintenance costs,speed service delivery, break down the silos across the telco,and reduce errors associated with handoffs between systems andseparate databases; -- An accurate, network-synchronized cache of customer,service and infrastructure data that spans multiple serviceofferings, network layers, and vendors' equipment. Thisdramatically improves fulfillment success rates and reducesrework; -- Extensive, flexible support for modular QoS, making itpossible for providers to define and rapidly modify various QoSlevels to support multiple applications - such as voice, videoand data - running over a common VPN; -- In-field equipment interface extensibility, enablingproviders, for example, to take immediate advantage of new IOScommands and configurations; -- A flexible and extensible provisioning platform. TheSyndesis IP-VPN solution can be used as a stand-alone Layer 3provisioning tool or as a fully integrated multi-layer solution; -- Centralized management of new and existing VPNs. Carrierscan easily migrate from an unmanaged environment to managedservice offerings using Syndesis' service import and networksynchronization capabilities; -- Multi-vendor, off-the-shelf support for leading IP routers,MSE platforms, Ethernet switches, Layer 2 access and transportequipment and Layer 1 transport devices. Syndesis' portfolio ofEquipment Modules features support for approximately 200 typesand models of network equipment from leading vendors,including Cisco, Juniper, Nortel, Alcatel, Lucent, Marconi,Extreme, Ciena, Sycamore, and others; -- Scalable, fault-tolerant, carrier-proven platform. Syndesissolutions are designed and proven to work with, and scale to, alarge number of transactions in large carrier environments; and, -- Fully integrated IP address management and Layer 2 addressmanagement. "By simplifying VPN service definition and provisioning,Syndesis is empowering service providers to manage theirexisting services and accelerate the introduction of new,differentiated service offerings from a single, robust, carrier-class platform," said Nicholson. "At the same time, theseproviders are delivering the financial results that arenecessary to thrive in today's telecommunications marketplace,where competition is stiff and returns are now measured inmonths instead of years."

Availability

Currently available, the Syndesis IP-VPN solution suite hasbeen successfully deployed in numerous Tier 1 productionenvironments in the United States, Canada and Europe.

About Syndesis

Syndesis (www.Syndesis.com) empowers the world's largesttelecommunications companies to provide new network experiencesfor their customers by enabling rapid and reliable delivery ofprofitable next generation data services. Renowned for customerresponsiveness, in-depth network expertise and off-the- shelfsupport for more technologies and equipment than any other OSSsoftware developer, Syndesis is the vendor of choice indeployments at more than 20 major service providers worldwide.Well-funded and privately held, Syndesis is backed by leadingventure capital firms including Greylock, Helix, Pequot, Sequoiaand VenGrowth. Cisco Systems, Convergys Corporation and NortelNetworks recommend and sell Syndesis software to theircustomers. Press Contact: Christine Payne Public Relations ManagerSyndesis +1-416-526-4878 payne@syndesis.com

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