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Since January 1, 2001, Andersen Consulting has become known as Accenture. All subsequent references [OR: all references which follow, or all references within this piece] to Andersen Consulting refer to Accenture. Since August 7, 2000 the firm has ceased to be associated with Andersen Worldwide or Arthur Andersen.
MCI WorldCom
Hewlett-Packard delivers managed services worldwide for MCI WorldCom
Recognizing an opportunity to add significant value to its Frame Relay-based WAN and Internet access productsMCI WorldCom began offering a total networking solution, including integration and ongoing monitoring and support of customer premise equipment (CPE) such as network routers. But deploying managed network services on a worldwide basis often proved to be a challenge. "Itās easy to install a router in Tulsa or Dallas, but installing one in Russia can be a different matter altogether," explains Rich Little, senior director of CPE solutions for MCI WorldCom. "Dealing with customs, finding a router that fits with that countryās networking infrastructure, keeping costs reasonable ÷ it can be challenging. However, delivering services and support worldwide is a competitive imperative as business becomes increasingly global."
Thatās why MCI WorldCom began looking for a business partner to address its goal of supplying consistent, high-quality communications services anywhere in the world. MCI WorldCom wanted to align itself with a strong global service and support presence, as well as the ability to support customersā desktop, or LAN environments. "We wanted to offer customers full-service network installation and support, from both the WAN and LAN side — from CPE to the customer desktops," says Little.
MCI WorldCom is a global business telecommunications company. Operating in more than 50 countries, the company is a premier provider of facilities-based and fully integrated local, long distance, international and Internet services. The common shares of MCI WorldCom stock trade on the Nasdaq National Market (U.S.) under the symbol WCOM.
complementary capabilities
MCI WorldCom chose to partner with HP based on a number of criteria including HPās global support infrastructure, high-volume CPE staging and integration capabilities, expertise in CPE lifecycle management, status as a global Cisco Gold service provider, and recognized leadership in providing full desktop support for customersā IT environments. "HPās strengths complement ours well," says Little. "By partnering with HP, we can compete for and win business that includes components such as desktop services. We might not otherwise bid on these opportunities because they are outside our core business."
HP is currently providing MCI WorldCom customers with CPE managed services on a global basis. When an MCI WorldCom customer needs a network installation, HP in most cases integrates and tests it at an HP staging center, installs it at the customer site and provides ongoing network monitoring and lifecycle management. Ongoing service and support from HP is bundled with MCI WorldComās product to ensure that customers can rely on high-quality communications services.
More than 80 percent of MCI WorldCom customers have sites outside the United States. In all of those cases, HP is the installation, service and support vendor of choice. "We selected HP because of its global service and support presence and credibility," says Little. "Now that HP has completed several implementations and provided ongoing support for our customers, we are very impressed with the high level of expertise that HP brings to the table."
partnering to provide custom solutions
In addition to jointly providing CPE equipment and services for customers on an ongoing basis, MCI WorldCom and HP are teaming up to bid on and service large, custom installations that require significant customization or have additional service requirements. In most of these cases, HPās role extends far beyond installing and managing CPE, to activities such as providing full network design, computer workstations, outsourcing and systems management and even some financing.
For example, MCI WorldCom and HP are providing a complete network and ongoing IT support for Covision Healthcare Services (CHS), a joint venture between Bank of America (formerly NationsBank) and Accenture. CHS wanted MCI WorldCom to provide the entire infrastructure to run its business, including a full data center, networking, computer systems and ongoing services and support for the entire infrastructure. MCI WorldCom is providing the frame relay transport services. HP is delivering financing, HP 9000 and Windows NT server computers, and ongoing systems management. Accenture is providing applications and software. "Our ability to team with HP and provide a total solution was a significant factor in our ability to win the CHS business," explains Little.
increased revenue, happy customers
Partnering with HP has increased MCI WorldComās revenue opportunities on several fronts. MCI WorldCom can now compete for larger, more complex deals by offering a total solution, delivered on a global basis. "Our ability to respond to customers worldwide, and to offer value-added services such as desktop IT support opens new revenue opportunities for us. It also enhances our ability to win business," explains Little.
Perhaps most important of all, HP is a trustworthy partner that MCI WorldCom can rely on to keep customers happy. According to Little, MCI WorldCom is getting positive reports from its customers. "The HP staging, installation and support professionals are doing a wonderful job for us," says Little.
In HP, MCI WorldCom has found more than a partner whose core competencies complement its own. "We feel very comfortable going to our accounts carrying the HP name," concludes Little. "Our stature has only improved by being associated with a recognized leader in global services and support."
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