Centrixnet deploys CA`s Unicenter TNG, eTrust to provide e-business management solutions for businesses, home offices

Computer Associates International, Inc. (CA) has announced that Centrixnet Solutions, Inc is deploying CA`s eTrust security solutions and CA`s Unicenter TNG eBusiness management solution to roll out a new set of managed services for small and medium businesses and home-office customers. Centrixnet sells and supports managed network services to commercial customers, for internal networking, computer equipment, and IT support.

Earlier this year, Centrixnet launched its broadband wireless Internet service in Salt Lake City. Over the next four months, it will be offering its wireless access services to an additional 20 US cities. Basic connect plans for home office customers begin at $30 per month for a 256k service. For a small additional fee, customers in these markets will soon be able to obtain intrusion detection, virus protection and firewall security services as part of an eTrust based managed service offering.

Centrixnet will also use Unicenter TNG on behalf of these same customers for important system eBusiness management functions such as software delivery, network management and remote control. Centrixnet plans to offer access to CA` s Unicenter TNG and eTrust on a rental basis to its customers via metropolitan-area networks.

"We are using CA software to monitor and support our own data center infrastructure as well as the network environments of our customers," said Mac Adamson, President of Centrixnet and COGOLink. "Our engineers will be able to use the Unicenter TNG Remote Control Option (RCO) to solve network problems without a site-visit. Asset Management Option (AMO) and Software Delivery Option (SDO) are also key components to this remote management process."

Additionally, through its sister company, COGOLink Wireless, Inc., Centrixnet will install broadband wireless metropolitan area networks in the 2.4 GHz band, offering wireless Internet access services to business and residential customers in selected markets.

"As small and medium businesses rely on the Internet for a broader range of services, they need more extensive virus protection, operations management, software distribution, security, access control - all of the things that bigger firms with in-house IT departments take for granted," explains Bruce Barrett, Chairman, Centrixnet.

Security is especially important to these companies, Barrett adds, requiring more than just the installation of a firewall and antivirus software. "Firewalls and antivirus protection are vital - however, they don`t deal with denial of service attacks, or any of the server-level security holes," Barrett explains. "With eTrust, we`re rolling out the end-to-end authentication and privacy needed to make the Internet safe for our eBusiness customers."

Telecommuting services become particularly attractive when customers are ensured of a high level of security and control. In most cases, a telecommuter opens up an unsecured link to the corporate network. Thanks to CA ` s eTrust VPN software, Centrixnet can enable telecommuters to use a private network from their home to the office, ensuring enterprise class protection.

"CA has world-class software solutions that are much more robust than the personal security products and network management solutions that most small businesses currently use," said Barrett. "Through an innovative approach to deploying this software within metropolitan-area networks, we are boldly taking managed services where no company has gone before."