SmartPipes Inc. will adopt Microsoft Corp..NET products and technologies to deliver managed network services software to service providers. That’s the first step in a broader alliance announced between the two companies, based on what they called a shared vision for secure delivery of managed network services and extensible markup language (XML)-based Web services technologies.
Delivered via a Web-based software licensing model, SmartPipes’ Global IP Services service management software products are offered as Web services to telecommunications operators delivering managed corporate network services, including IP virtual private networks, remote access services and CPE management. Global IP Services continuously deliver new software products and existing product feature and functionality enhancements over the Web.
Now SmartPipes will expand its XML-based approach to developing a comprehensive management solution for deploying telco-class, value-added, managed services, deploying Microsoft products including Microsoft Windows 2000 Server operating system, Microsoft Active Directory service, Microsoft SQL Server 2002, Microsoft Commerce Server and BizTalk Server 2002. In addition, SmartPipes will incorporate .NET technologies such as Passport, Microsoft's single sign-on and universal authentication system, as well as industry standards such as Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP), and Universal Description, Discovery and Integration (UDDI) into its customer offerings.
"As enterprises deploy XML Web services to implement next-generation business strategies and networks, the reliable delivery of trustworthy, managed networking services is a critical component to ensuring their success," Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said in a statement. "Combined with Microsoft's cutting-edge software, SmartPipes' innovative, policy-based networking software and technologies offer service providers the means to implement and deliver trustworthy, standards-based solutions."
The alliance includes plans for the continued integration of SmartPipes' advanced policy-based network management solutions and Microsoft .NET products and technologies.
"Initially, these efforts will include joint sales proposals, collaboration in the standards communities and product-creation efforts at SmartPipes' software development and secure operations facilities in Ohio and Microsoft's product development centers in Redmond, Wash., and by Microsoft Consulting Services group," according to Hank Nothhaft, chairman and CEO of SmartPipes. "Over the past two years we have been working together to build the SmartPipes Web-based software platform using the latest Microsoft products and technology, in particular Microsoft Active Directory. Now we are prepared to further expand on our vision of using Web-based software products and XML Web services technology to offer service providers a simple and comprehensive management solution for deploying telco-class value-added managed services."
