Becomes First service provider in Middle East and North Africa to earn the IT Service Management certification
Dubai - eCompany, Etisalat's Business Unit for Internet services and ICT (Information & Communication Technology) solutions today announced that it has earned the Sun Microsystems SunTone Certification for its portfolio of eHosting and Co-location services, becoming the first service provider in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to achieve this prestigious certification. In order to receive the SunTone "seal of approval," eCompany undertook some of the technology industry's most stringent service reliability requirements and assessments over an 18-month period to ensure the efficiency of its people, processes and technology.
Led by Sun Microsystems and aimed at ensuring companies deliver technology as a 'service' for measurable business value, the SunTone audit and certification program incorporates principles from multiple industry standards, including ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), ISO (International Organization for Standardization) and CobiT(Control Objectives for Information and related Technology). eCompany executives believe that achieving the SunTone certification will enable the organization to enhance its levels of customer service while keeping costs in check. A number of the 300 other SunTone-certified organizations around the world have reported improved service reliability, security, and overall service quality, as a result of the auditing process.
The SunTone program is built on the principles of IT Service Management excellence and includes 15 assessment areas under the categories of service delivery, support and management such as Service Architecture, Data Center Management, Incident and
Problem Management, Change and Release Management, Security and SLA ( Service Level Agreement) Management.
According to Abdulla Hashim, Senior Manager, eCompany, "Customers today are far more critical and demand that their service provider meet the rigorous standards set by the industry. This certification is a testimony to the world class eHosting and Co-location services offered by eCompany in the region today and it is a matter of great pride that eCompany is the first service provider in the MENA region to achieve this certification."
According to Nasser Salim, GM, Converged Network, Etisalat, "The SunTone certification signifies our ability to meet the highest quality standards in the industry in addition to instilling process excellence in our IT Service Management strategy."
The eHosting and Co-location services are provided from two world-class data centers in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. The facilities provide high-speed Internet connectivity, multiple layers of network and physical security, redundant power systems with back-up generators and UPSs and advanced HVAC systems providing optimal operating conditions.
"In achieving SunTone certification, eCompany is joining an elite group of managed hosting providers such as BellSouth, Belgacom, and AT&T. Becoming the first in the region to achieve this benchmark may enhance customer confidence that eCompany is delivering highly reliable, scalable and secure services to organizations in the region," said Chris Cornelius, Managing Director, Sun Microsystems Middle East & North Africa (MENA).
For more on SunTone, please visit: http://www.sun.com/suntone
- Ends -About eCompany
eCompany, Etisalat's e-powerhouse, is the leading provider of Internet services & ICT solutions for finance, retail, business and government sectors. The intent of eCompany is to strengthen relationships with customers and partners and provide them with high-value solutions through a single point of contact. It has the facilities to provide a complete portfolio of Internet offerings, value added services, consulting and project management. eCompany's vision is to be the customer's first choice for Internet services and e-business solutions in the region.
About Sun Microsystems, Inc.
A singular vision -- "The Network Is The Computer" -- guides Sun in the development of technologies that power the world's most important markets. Sun's philosophy of sharing innovation and building communities is at the forefront of the next wave of computing: the Participation Age. Sun can be found in more than 100 countries and on the Web at http://sun.com.
For further media information, please contact:
Ahmed Bin Ali
Manager
Corporate Communications
Tel: 02 6182173
Fax: 02 6334448
E-mail: PRD@etisalat.ae
© Press Release 2005
