Verizon Business Will Be Among First to Offer Microsoft Windows Server 2008

Managed Hosting Customers to Benefit from Reliability, Performance of Next-Generation Technology
LOS ANGELES - Verizon Business managed hosting customers will be among the first to benefit from the powerful new functionality of Microsoft Windows Server 2008, the next-generation server operating system launched worldwide by Microsoft Wednesday (Feb. 27).

As a member of Microsoft’s early adopter initiative, known as the Rapid Deployment Program (RDP), Verizon Business has gained critical expertise that will enable it to offer Windows Server 2008 as a high-end managed hosting solution to U.S. customers this spring, with rollout to European and Asia-Pacific customers by late summer.

Customers planning to adopt Windows Server 2008 also will benefit from Verizon Business’ early knowledge and experience gained from testing this advanced technology before its market launch.

The new Microsoft server platform will help enterprises enhance application availability and boost networking performance, while simplifying server administration and management for Verizon Business. It also gives Verizon Business more control over security for its customers by better safeguarding data and protecting against server failure and intrusion.

“As the most advanced Windows server operating system ever offered, Windows Server 2008 will enable us to deliver exceptional reliability and performance to our enterprise customers,” said Michael Marcellin, vice president of product marketing for Verizon Business. "Working closely with Microsoft to bring this technology to market, Verizon Business is in the perfect position to help customers gain more control over their IT infrastructure.

“Verizon Business’ years of experience in managing Microsoft technology -- and our role in evaluating Windows Server 2008 -- make us the ideal partner to help enterprises realize the promise of this new technology,” Marcellin said.

Powerful New Customer Benefits

The latest iteration from Microsoft includes enhancements that allow Verizon Business to offer customers a more streamlined server deployment that will accelerate time to market. For example, Windows Server 2008 eliminates much of Verizon Business’ reliance on custom code and third-party tools previously required.

Windows Server 2008 also includes an updated Web server, Microsoft’s Internet Information Services 7.0, which will enable Verizon Business to deploy, manage and host Web applications and services with enhanced performance. The Web server features a new, unique modular design, which allows Verizon Business to install just the specific modules that customers require, further expediting deployment and simplifying ongoing management.

Verizon Business’ comprehensive portfolio of IT and hosting solutions delivers complete, end-to-end, integrated IT and network solutions. From simple colocation to full IT applications management, Verizon Business serves as a true extension of a customer’s IT organization. Services include Data Center Colocation, Remote Backup and Restore, Hosted Messaging and Instant Messaging, IT Service Desk, Akamai Services, IP Application Hosting and Remote IP Application Management. More information is available by visiting http://www.verizonbusiness.com/us/itsolutions.