Ameritech Packet Services standardizes on U.S. Robotics Total Control Enterprise Network Hub; U.S. Robotics performance, management and integration key criteria for Ameritech.SKOKIE, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--March 1, 1996--U.S. Robotics (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : USRX) today announced that Ameritech Packet Services has selected U.S. Robotics' Total Control Enterprise Network Hub See hub and hub vs. switch. as the standard for its corporate access services. Ameritech provides a wide array of local phone, data and video services in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin. The Enterprise Network Hub will help Ameritech continue its expansion into value-added data services. Ameritech has already installed the Total Control Enterprise Network Hub in its network, with plans to double its installations over the next few weeks. Terms of the purchase were not disclosed. The Ameritech Packet Switched Network allows the use of a single switched communications link, allowing multiple users to access databases at the same time, cost-effectively and with total security. The network supports access through dial-up modems, ISDN ISDN in full Integrated Services Digital Network Digital telecommunications network that operates over standard copper telephone wires or other media. and dedicated private lines. Key applications for the Ameritech Packet Network include remote access to local area networks, credit card authorization, medical claims processing, pharmaceutical ordering, corporate database access and dial-up access hot Dial-up access is a form of Internet access via telephone line. The client uses a modem connected to a computer and a telephone line to dial into an Internet service provider's (ISP) node to establish a modem-to-modem link, which is then routed to the Internet. to Internet services. The Total Control Enterprise Network Hub will be the primary access point to these services. Additionally, customers may have the option to purchase these capabilities from Ameritech as "managed services An umbrella term for third-party monitoring and maintaining of computers, networks and software. The actual equipment may be inhouse or at the third-party's facilities, but the "managed" implies an ongoing effort; for example, making sure the equipment is running at a certain quality ," in which case Ameritech would purchase and maintain Enterprise Network Hubs in its central office premises. "Our goal is to provide our corporate customers seamless connections, high throughput and fast transaction times," said Bob Anzlovar, Ameritech Area Manager of Packet Network Operations. "The Enterprise Network Hub met our criteria with the right combination of performance, features and integration." Total Control Enterprise Network Hubs purchased by Ameritech will include: U.S. Robotics' dual T-1 card, which integrates channel bank and CSU/DSU See DSU/CSU. CSU/DSU - channel service unit/digital service unit functionality into the chassis; high-density quad V.34 modem cards, with four "V.Everything" modems per card; and an integrated X.25 PAD card for access to the packet network. "We work closely with Ameritech on a number of applications, and we expect to continue expanding our relationship as new uses for our products evolve," said Ross Manire, senior vice president and general manager of U.S. Robotics' Corporate/Systems Division. "U.S. Robotics (U.S. Robotics, Inc., Schaumburg, IL, www.usr.com) A modem manufacturer highly regarded for its quality products. The company manufactures its own chipsets (data pumps) and often leads with innovations. Its HST protocol was a high-speed, reliable protocol before V. is committed to helping Ameritech continue to enhance its service portfolio, as we provide new information access products that integrate a variety of wide area technologies with local area networks." "Technology Shelf" Approach Provides Return on Investment for Ameritech "We think of the platform as a technology shelf," added Manire. "Customers such as Ameritech can interchange or add technologies as their needs evolve -- the product's modular design In the context of systems engineering, modular design — or "modularity in design" — is an approach aiming to subdivide a system into smaller parts (modules) that can be independently created and then used in different systems to drive multiple functionalities. and high capacity have given our customers incredible growth and investment protection by allowing them to simply add modules when they want to support new technologies." This "technology shelf" approach has enabled U.S. Robotics to bring its customers V.34-compliant modems supporting speeds up to 33.6 Kbps; aggregated calls over T-1 circuits; transparent analog and ISDN access over ISDN PRI ISDN PRI Integrated Services Digital Network Primary Rate Interface (also seen as ISDN-PRI) (Primary Rate Interface) trunks; network access via Frame Relay A high-speed packet switching protocol used in wide area networks (WANs). Providing a granular service of up to DS3 speed (45 Mbps), it has become popular for LAN to LAN connections across remote distances, and services are offered by most major carriers. , X.25, Ethernet and Token Ring A local area network (LAN) access method developed by IBM. Conforming to the IEEE 802.5 standard, Token Ring uses a token ring access method and connects up to 255 nodes in a star topology at 4, 16 or 100 Mbps. ; and in the future, higher densities, ATM interfaces and other new capabilities. By simply changing configurations, customers can use the same Enterprise Network Hub they've standardized on to take advantage of new capabilities. The Enterprise Network Hub also has an extensive suite of management, security and accounting features, such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol) A widely used network monitoring and control protocol. Data are passed from SNMP agents, which are hardware and/or software processes reporting activity in each network device (hub, router, bridge, etc. management; security and accounting servers; remote management; remote upgradability of components through software downloads; an "expert" management system, Auto Response; and more. Auto Response, exclusive to U.S. Robotics, automatically responds to a variety of system events, allowing Total Control Enterprise Network Hubs to maintain themselves without operator intervention. In a recent analysis of market research from IDC, Forrester and other sources, U.S. Robotics estimates that 80 percent of individuals accessing the Internet and online services subscribe to providers who use the Total Control Enterprise Network Hub as their high-speed access platform. In the last two years alone, U.S. Robotics has shipped more than 350,000 ports to its service provider customers. U.S. Robotics is one of the world's leading suppliers of products and systems that provide access to information. The company designs, manufactures, markets and supports remote access servers, enterprise communications systems, desktop/mobile client products and modems and telephony products that connect computers and other equipment over analog, digital and switched cellular networks, enabling users to gain access to, manage and share data, fax and voice information. Its customers include Internet service providers Internet service provider (ISP) Company that provides Internet connections and services to individuals and organizations. For a monthly fee, ISPs provide computer users with a connection to their site (see data transmission), as well as a log-in name and password. , regional Bell operating companies, inter-exchange carriers and a wide range of other large and small businesses, institutions and individuals. The company's 1995 sales were $889.3 million; sales for the first quarter of fiscal 1996 were $364.8 million. CONTACT: U.S. Robotics Lauri Lentz, 847/982-5230 (Media Relations) or C. David Hall, 847/982-5162 (Investor Relations Investor relations The process by which the corporation communicates with its investors. ) |
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