Liz Claiborne Selects Verizon Business for Global Network Management

Leading Fashion Brand Will Achieve Global Cost Reductions.

HONG KONG - Liz Claiborne Inc., a leading fashion company, has selected Verizon Business to connect its operations in 25 countries globally. Verizon Business has begun deployment of a fully managed Verizon Private IP solution to support the company’s global communications needs, enabling it to enhance network management and achieve significant global cost efficiencies.

Liz Claiborne Inc. designs and markets a global portfolio of well-known fashion brands including Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand Jeans and Mexx, and also develops department store-based brands including the Liz Claiborne and Monet families, the licensed DKNY Jeans® Group, Enyce, Mac & Jac/Kensie, and Narciso Rodriguez. The company is expanding rapidly and currently employs more than 17,000 employees at 25 sites around the world.

To more effectively support both its current operations and future growth, Liz Claiborne sought to identify a global network provider to streamline its overall communication infrastructure. Key criteria were global reach with local support capabilities, as well as firm cost control.

Verizon Business’ fully managed Verizon Private IP and Secure Gateway solution has given Liz Claiborne a cost-effective means of securely connecting both central and branch offices back to its core network, as well as a secure environment to facilitate remote and in-office access to business-critical applications. In addition, the solution offers the company a firm foundation on which to build future IP-based communications applications to improve its global internal and external collaboration capabilities.

Dedicated Verizon Business in-country support teams across three regions and Verizon Business’ comprehensive service level agreements provide extensive and reliable support capabilities.

“By outsourcing the core network provision to Verizon Business, we anticipate significant cost benefits, primarily as a result of enhanced productivity and labor savings,” said Wayne Dabney, vice president, IT for Liz Claiborne Inc. “The new network will help us save on costs and enhance productivity on a global scale. Our Asia Pacific team, led by Sam Tan, vice president, Asia systems & technology, and European team, led by Kees van Duijin, information communications technology manager, were impressed by Verizon Business’ ability to deliver outstanding support globally without losing focus of local needs by allocating strong in-country support teams. The team is fully behind Verizon Business, and together we are confident that Verizon Business can deliver both a fantastic managed solution and outstanding service.”

Andrew Dobbins, regional vice president for Asia Pacific, Verizon Business, said, “Verizon Business’ global network capability, extensive solutions portfolio and commitment to customer service are fundamental to our overall proposition. ”Our proven managed service solution, coupled with our strong global presence and dedicated local teams, makes a winning combination for leading global brands like Liz Claiborne"

The implementation was completed in May 2008.