Looking to capitalize on a developing trend toward contracting out bread-and-butter business applications, Qwest Communications this week unveiled a set of outsourced Microsoft Exchange messaging and e-mail services called Quest Managed Exchange Services.
Targeting large and small companies interested in outsourced e-mail and messaging solutions, Qwest will host Exchange Services in its CyberCenters outsourcing locations. The company also will manage the Exchange environment for business users and provide administration and application management services.
"This gives companies the chance to take advantage of Exchange's features, the calendaring and scheduling and discussion features as well as e-mail," said Hugh Oakes, senior director of product development at Qwest, adding that Qwest officials believe that Exchange will be the platform businesses of choice for messaging.
Managed Exchange Services will be available in three packages. Exchange Basic includes hardware, software, and management of Exchange for smaller companies who need a messaging solution that handles calendar and group scheduling in addition to e-mail. Exchange Complete, a package for larger companies, has more features, such as virus scanning, spam filtering, and discussion and newsgroup lists. Both Exchange Basic and Exchange Complete include service management and support.
The third option, Exchange Outsource, is customized for companies that already have Exchange, offering complete or partial outsourced hosting, management, and support for the existing Exchange platform.
Quest will be straddling the line between outsourced service company and application service provider (ASP) by taking on Exchange hosting, as Managed Exchange Services will be integrated into Cyber Solutions, the ASP venture between Qwest and KPMG Consulting. Oakes said that services other than Exchange are also being eyed for future hosted offerings.
"We're looking at Microsoft Office Online for hosting," said Oakes, adding that Qwest expects to roll out a "services on demand" collection of hosted services, including products from SAP and Siebel Systems, in June.
Managed Exchange Services is available now at a price of $15 per mailbox per month plus a one-time $10 per mailbox set-up charge.
Qwest: www.qwest.com.
This story from Infoworld.com Copyright © 1999 InfoWorld Media Group, Inc.
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