Ideal Technology Solutions Announced as Certified Service Provider
29 February 2000
Ideal Technology Solutions, U.S. Announced as Certified Service Provider
SOUTHFIELD, Mich.--Feb. 29, 2000--Cost-Effective Access Solution Developed For
ANX Business Trading Partners
Ideal Technology Solutions, U.S. (Ideal) has been named a Certified Service Provider to the Advanced Network eXchange(TM) (ANX(R)), also known as the Automotive Network Exchange(R) by the Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC).
Ideal (www.itsusnow.com) is the first service provider to deliver a low-cost, end-to-end secure dial solution for accessing ANX. Based out of Royal Oak, MI, Ideal is an E-Business Service Provider -- delivering innovation in connectivity, application services, security, and hosting services to the ANX.
"Our mANX(TM) Dial Service has been tested in Canada and the United States by Ford, Daimler-Chrysler, Delphi Automotive, Dofasco and General Motors," said Mike Skinner, Ideal's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Ideal's mANX Dial Service supports the encryption and security assurances required by the businesses and industries participating in the ANX."
The ANX provides a secure and reliable global network infrastructure that replaces complex legacy networks and facilitates the re-engineering of supply chains. The ANX, introduced by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG) in 1995, was designed to improve on the inefficiencies, network inconsistencies and lack-of-data-security offered by the public Internet.
In full-service for the past year, the ANX securely connects trading partners electronically -- allowing them to collaborate on product design and development; solicit and process orders; facilitate just-in-time manufacturing, coordinate purchasing, and post shipping schedules. In December, 1999, the SAIC purchased the ANX assets and operations from the AIAG.
Beginning February 15, 2000, ANX's newest CSP -- Ideal Technology Solutions, U.S. -- will provide its Ideal managed ANX (mANX) Dial Service Solution to Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Daimler-Chrysler and its collective supplier base. With the Big Three joining nearly 500 (280 connected, 200 in process) other ANX Trading Partners -- the newly expanded ANX will provide a safe, robust and neutral trading environment for Companies to communicate, collaborate and facilitate supplier relationships.
And, just as significant, Ideal will also provide a customized version of its mANX Dial Service to facilitate supplier connectivity to Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) applications for Daimler-Chrysler, Ford Motor Company and General Motors.
"Ideal mANX Dial Service paves the way for a series of connectivity and application services we intend to deliver to the ANX, including Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) and hosting applications," Skinner added. "For example, we have signed agreements to host applications for AutoWeb and Webscope on the ANX and we are talking with other application developers in hopes of bundling dial services for additional vertical markets.
"Presently, we can offer e-mail, calendaring and business collaboration services and we will be adding VOIP and video conferencing over the ANX very soon," Skinner said.
Ideal passed over 160-stringent service metrics to gain its hard-earned CSP status -- joining giant Companies like AT&T, Ameritech and MCI-WorldCom in the process. According to officials at SAIC, with Ideal's CSP addition, the ANX will become more accessible for a broad range of suppliers -- expanding it beyond the OEMs and their large Tier-One partners.
"With Ideal as a CSP, we are able to open the network to a broad spectrum of trading partners who are looking for an affordable way to subscribe to this supply chain solution," said Peter Rosamilia, SAIC's ANX General Manager.
The ANX Dial Service will be available throughout North America initially -- with planned international expansion to follow in mid-to-late 2000. Beyond the automotive industry, SAIC envisions ANX expansion to reach industries like Health Care, Steel, Aerospace, Insurance and Oil & Gas. With SAIC leading the charge, Skinner envisions ANX utilization en-mass.
Ideal Technology Solutions, U.S. (Ideal) is a premier E-Business Service Provider -- delivering Connectivity, Security, Managed Hosting and an array of Application Services. Pivoting off its rapid 13-year growth as a systems integrator and provider of LAN and WAN networks, Ideal has parlayed its expertise and evolution towards its new niche as an Applications Service Provider. Ideal utilizes strong alliances with its strategic partners -- Sun Microsystems, Iplanet (Sun-Netscape Alliance), Cisco, Checkpoint, RSA, Verisign, Lotus, Novell, AT&T, IRE and Rhythms -- in unison with one of the best technical teams in the IT business. Ideal regularly meets and exceeds challenges posed by Fortune 1000 companies throughout the nation. With service expansion into the realms of DSL, Application delivery, Enterprise Portals and Managed Security Services, Ideal is poised to be an international market-leader in the Business-To-Business E-Commerce market from its Royal Oak, MI corporate headquarters. For more information, visit www.itsusnow.com.
SAIC is a Fortune 500 Company and the nation's largest employee-owned research and engineering firm. SAIC provides information technology and systems integration products and services to government and commercial customers. SAIC scientists and engineers work to solve complex technical problems in telecommunications, national security, health care, transportation, energy and the environment. More information about SAIC and its subsidiaries can be found at www.saic.com.
ANX(R) and Automotive Network eXchange(R) are registered in the U.S. Patent and Trademark office as service marks by the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), Southfield, MI.