Residential | Small Business | Enterprise | Wireless Region / Language
For Release Thursday, August 11, 2005
AT&T, Clifton Gunderson Sign $3.7 Million Networking Agreement
PEORIA, Ill. – AT&T today announced it has won a $3.7 million, three-year networking contract from Clifton Gunderson LLP, the 12th largest CPA and consulting firm in the nation.
AT&T will provide an Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) integrating some 42 Clifton Gunderson offices in 14 states and Washington, D.C. The network, which supports Clifton Gunderson’s day-to-day operations, runs on AT&T’s industry-leading Multi-Protocol Labeling Switching (MPLS) platform. It provides a significant increase in bandwidth at a lower cost, disaster recovery capabilities and a migration path to Voice over IP (VoIP) services.
The VPN will enable Clifton Gunderson’s personnel to access critical corporate databases and proprietary applications, e-mail and collaborate in real time over a secure, high-speed network.
In addition, AT&T will host Clifton Gunderson’s Web servers at itsChicago-area Internet Data Center(IDC), ensuring around-the-clock access to data stored there and providing business continuity capabilities. AT&T operates 26 IDCs around the world.Â
“AT&T’s MPLS-based technology and hosting capabilities were the driving factors in selecting this networking solution,” said Jeff Hapeman, Chief Technology Officer for Clifton Gunderson. “AT&T’s solution met all of our requirements for business continuity, disaster recovery, cost containment and high-speed, uninterrupted network performance. AT&T is uniquely qualified to deliver a high-performance network that’s safe and secure, offering us top-notch communications capabilities and peace of mind.”
Through the secure AT&T BusinessDirect® portal, Clifton Gunderson will have around-the-clock online access to real-time reports on network performance and direct connection to electronic billing and trouble management systems. AT&T BusinessDirect was recently recognized by the Yankee Group for providing customers with the strongest online support and service experience in the industry.
About Clifton Gunderson
Clifton Gunderson LLP is the 12th largest CPA and consulting firm in the
nation. Since 1960, Clifton Gunderson has been providing clients with a variety
of services ranging from traditional auditing and accounting services to
governmental services, tax and financial planning, technology consulting,
business valuation, forensic services and employee benefit services, as well as
specialized services for specific business sectors. Clifton Gunderson Financial
Services, a subsidiary of Clifton Gunderson LLP, provides clients with
financial planning, insurance and employee benefit services. Technology
consulting services are provided by Clifton Gunderson Technology Solutions.
Clifton Gunderson and its affiliates have offices in 14 states and Washington,
DC.
About AT&T
For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE 'T') has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.
AT&T 'Safe Harbor'
The foregoing contains 'forward-looking statements' which are based on management's beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made by and information currently available to management. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which are not a guarantee of performance and are subject to a number of uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside AT&T's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. These risk factors include the impact of increasing competition, continued capacity oversupply, regulatory uncertainty and the effects of technological substitution, among other risks. For a more detailed description of the factors that could cause such a difference, please see AT&T's 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. AT&T disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This information is presented solely to provide additional information to further understand the results of AT&T.
