Hired Guns Monitors Companies' Data Networks During Ice Storm; Enables Companies to Immediately Troubleshoot, Alert, Secure and Maintain Critical Telecommunications and Data Infrastructures.

Business Editors & Technology Writers

RALEIGH, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 5, 2002

Throughout Wednesday evening and into Thursday, Hired Guns, a US Networks company that designs, monitors and manages data and telephony networks, has ensured the secure and reliable transfer of its clients' vital data communications.

"Maximizing network performance during the worst of situations is critical because global business does not cease with an ice storm that hits the Carolinas," said Timothy Boyd, senior partner and director of operations with Hired Guns. "Our clients, which include large real estate companies, financial institutions, manufacturing facilities, among other multi-site organizations, rely on predictable data networks. Downtime impacts these companies' bottom lines, and it is our responsibility to monitor and alert our customers to this type of trouble, oftentimes before it hits."

Hired Guns' network management team proactively monitors its customers' hardware and data links full-time - automatically reporting network anomalies, troubleshooting, maintaining security and deploying engineers to resolve problems. The team has remained busy throughout what Raleigh media have termed the worst winter ice storm in decades.

"Even though some of our N.C. customers are without power, Hired Guns' support center continues to monitor and troubleshoot network traffic and outages," said Boyd. "We have proactively contacted our customers and have engineering crews ready to be dispatched as power is restored. This enables our clients to focus their attention on employee needs and safety issues knowing their data network is our concern."

Hired Guns serves multi-site organizations with comprehensive network management - from network design, security monitoring and trouble resolution to onsite maintenance and help desk. The company's responsive, customer service-first methodology is backed by its Network Management and Support Center, running ASAMS a web-based automated status and alert management system. This trouble ticket system tracks all network activity, automatically reporting the source of any interruption and tracking telecommunications vendor activity from first response through resolution.

About Hired Guns (www.hiredgunsonline.com)

Hired Guns, a US Networks company, offers a signature line of network management, support and consulting services called SureNet(TM) designed to ensure customers receive IT services that maximize network performance. Hired Guns' convergence team integrates data, video and IP telephony, treating the IT infrastructure as a strategic asset. For weather affects on business executive commentary, contact Scott Misner 919.412.3886.