Florham Park, NJ - Dec 1, 2004 -- Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBC) today announced its Intelligent Front Office™ (IFO) initiative, cementing its leadership in delivering converged solutions anytime and anywhere. This transparent, seamless information distribution model adds new e-bonding capabilities for Global Crossing's customers, meeting their evolving business needs with greater operational ease, flexibility and transparency.
"We're implementing convergence beyond the delivery of voice, video and data over a single connection and into systems," said Dan Wagner, Global Crossing's chief information officer and executive vice president, business infrastructure. "Our customers will find that we're ahead of the competition in bringing them the interactive functionality they require to meet their business goals more quickly and efficiently."
"Global Crossing's Intelligent Front Office initiative addresses a key need in the marketplace," stated Bryan Van Dussen, director of telecommunication strategies at The Yankee Group. "By leveraging standard API technologies, Global Crossing allows customers to interface their billing or network management systems directly with Global Crossing's back office systems. This allows customers to more flexibly and efficiently interface with Global Crossing's back office systems for order management, service availability, price quotations and other network management tasks."
With IFO, enterprise and Fast-Track customers benefit more fully from converged networks by gaining the ability to manage their networks down to the application level. Additionally, IFO enables customer to interface directly with Global Crossing's systems from their own back offices, greatly simplifying network management processes and procedures.
"We're pleased that Global Crossing is using the Microsoft .NET Framework to accelerate true communications convergence over its global IP network," said Maria Martinez, corporate vice president of the communications sector at Microsoft Corp. "Customers around the world will benefit from the additional flexibility and ease of use IFO delivers."
Global Crossing is leveraging Microsoft's advanced infrastructure technologies for accurate, automated processes and operational efficiencies. The framework allows for speedier customer on-boarding and enhanced management throughout the lifecycle of the account.
Global Crossing's uCommand®, already an industry-leading account management portal, now delivers true operational convergence with an Application Programming Interface (API) that allows customers to interface electronically and transparently with Global Crossing's back office systems for order management, service availability inquiries, quotations and other management tasks. The advanced architecture enables this customized interaction with minimal development. Fast-Track partners can also brand uCommand as their own, allowing them to focus on their core competencies while meeting customers' needs.
"uCommand's ebonding capabilities have enabled us to better serve our customers while greatly simplifying the workflow," said Henry Kaestner, Bandwidth.com's chief executive officer. "We're able to be more responsive and helpful to our own customers, which supports our success."
uCommand is a unique offering that delivers 24x7 self-service autonomy to customers. This secure, private, Web-based network management tool allows customers to order data services, monitor their networks, create utilization reports, establish end-user and product accounts, and view monthly billing reports.
Global Crossing recently announced its unique Fast-Track™ Services, a portfolio of wholesale business solutions which enables service providers to increase their speed-to-market and revenue realization by expanding their geographic reach, broadening their range of converged IP service offerings and providing a unified experience to customers around the world. Fast-Track Services portfolio includes a full range of network services with two go-to-market options: Global Crossing Signature Services™ allow service providers to market these network services under their own brand to their customers, while Global Crossing Alliance Services™ enable service providers to co-brand the network services with Global Crossing.
About Bandwidth.com
Over the past five years, Bandwidth.com has revolutionized the acquisition of Internet access for small to medium sized businesses. As the market-leading intermediary between telecom providers and customers, Bandwidth.com has created a new way for businesses to purchase Internet access. Through its relationship with leading telecom providers, Bandwidth.com offers unparalleled selection, price and service. The company's unique methodology and experienced team ensure accountability and service superior to traditional Internet access providers. Bandwidth.com has met the Internet access needs of nearly 2,000 customers, selling more than $2.5 million of data connectivity monthly. For more information, visit www.bandwidth.com.
About Global Crossing
Global Crossing (NASDAQ: GLBC) provides telecommunications solutions over the world's first integrated global IP-based network. Its core network connects more than 300 cities and 30 countries worldwide, and delivers services to more than 500 major cities, 50 countries and 6 continents around the globe. The company's global sales and support model matches the network footprint and, like the network, delivers a consistent customer experience worldwide.
