For Immediate Release
August 6, 1997
NTT Group, Interliant to Provide Notes Mail Interoperability Services
Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), two companies of the NTT Group --- NTT PC Communications (NTT PC) and NTT Data Communications (NTT DATA) --- and Interliant, Inc. of Houston, Texas, have agreed to provide a Notes Mail Service which enables PC users to use Notes Mail (*1) on their networks. As the first phase of service implementation, Customer Trial Services (*2) were commenced from the end of July.The Notes/Domino Service (*3) had already been in independent use by the companies. Now, by facilitating dissemination of Notes Mail messages between the users of their services, corporate users will benefit through an information system environment that can be shared by domestic and overseas offices as operations become globalized.
NTT International (NTTI) is responsible for customer support, providing such services as consulting, installation and maintenance services.
The agreement is a first step as described in NTT's Global Multimedia Service Plan that was announced at the Multimedia Services Affiliate Forum (MSAF) (*4) held in Tokyo in March 1997.
*1. Notes Mail
Notes is groupware marketed by Lotus Development Corporation (Lotus) of the U.S. and is reputed to be the most widely used groupware in Japan and worldwide. Notes Mail is the groupware's electronic mail function. "Groupware" is a type of software that helps organizations and groups increase the effectiveness of their operations by integrating e-mail, document management and work flow functions.
*2.Customer Trial Service
To be provided for about two months, the service is the first step toward providing Notes Mail Service. It is designed to be accessed by interested users. It will allow them to check usability and offer their comments and opinions. Some charges not yet finalized will be determined during the Customer Trial Service period.
*3. Notes/Domino Service
A server with the latest version of Notes/Domino, R4.5, released in December 1996, is named Domino. It provides a high level of Internet connectivity by enabling users to enter data into the Domino server using Internet browsers and Internet search software, as well as Notes Client, the dedicated Notes terminal software. This service supports Notes and Domino functions on the Internet and is provided by leading telecommunications carriers and other major corporations around the world.
*4. Multimedia Services Affiliate Forum (MSAF)
MSAF is non-profit organization established in March 1996 by 25 companies, including leading telecom carriers and software vendors, with the aim of providing multimedia services to facilitate global communications. The organization had 46 corporate members as of the end of July 1997. NTT is one of the original members. (Refer to the appendix for details)
1. Outline
In the field of the Notes/Domino Service, NTT PC provides a Notes Service, dubbed NTT Network Application Services by Notes (NNAS) (*5), in Japan, and NTT DATA takes advantage of unique features of the Notes Service to provide customer-specific corporate information systems in its systems integration services. Interliant offers the Notes/Domino Service throughout the world by teaming up with such network service vendors as EQUANT (*6) and CompuServe (*7).
The Notes/Domino Service was provided by each service operator, and in most cases data could not be exchanged between different operators. With the latest launch of the Notes Mail Service designed for joint operation, NTT PC and NTT DATA customers who have been using the Notes Mail Service in Japan will be able to send Notes Mail messages and various types of electronic files to computer users in about 150 countries.
The Notes/Domino Service also enables users to reduce system management costs and improve server operation stability and system environment by out-sourcing Notes/Domino server operations.
*5. NTT Network Application Services by Notes (NNAS)
A Notes/Domino Service which has been provided by NTT PC since August 1996.
*6. EQUANT
Provides international packet communications, leased line and frame relay services on a global scale.
*7. CompuServe
A leading U.S. PC communications service operator.
2. Role of each company
(1) NTT
Promotes a global multimedia service and provides networks for access with ISDN. NTT was in charge of coordinating efforts to develop a cooperative relationship between its group companies and Interliant.
(2) NTT PC
Provides the NNAS service, a Notes/Domino Service, in Japan. The company will support global services by operating the Notes/Domino Service jointly with Interliant.
(3) NTT DATA
Experienced in integrating the Notes/Domino Service into customized systems. The company will support global systems integration services by operating the Notes/Domino Service jointly with Interliant.
(4) Interliant
Has provided the Notes/Domino Service globally since 1994 by partnering with network operators. Interliant customers will be able to exchange Notes Mail messages with NTT group customers by operating the Notes/Domino Service jointly with the NTT group.
(5) NTTI
Experienced in customized global systems integration services. The company will provide comprehensive global customer support including consulting, installation and maintenance services in Japanese based on the cooperative relationship formed between the NTT group and Interliant.
3. Scheduled date for joint operation of Notes Mail Service
After the Customer Trial Service to be provided for about two months from the end of July, the commercial service will follow
Appendix
1. MSAF (Multimedia Services Affiliate Forum)
MSAF is an open forum whose aim is to promote the globalization of multimedia services through cooperation and non-exclusive partnerships between multimedia service providers all over the world.
The NTT Group and Interliant have been contributing to the work of MSAF on a regular basis, and NTT, as a founding member, is particularly active.
All activities of the NTT Group in the field of global multimedia services are based on the Global Multimedia Service Plan, unveiled as part of a Global Multimedia Promotion (*9), targeting end users, which was timed to coincide with a meeting of MSAF in Tokyo in March 1997. The joint operation of the Notes Mail Service based on this agreement is the first step in the practical implementation of the plan.
(*9) Global Multimedia Promotion
On March 4 this year, NTT, in its capacity as a representative of the MSAF, issued a "Tokyo Declaration" to mark the fact that the Global Multimedia Service has reached the commercial application stage as well as to signal NTT's support for providing Global Multimedia Service. The announcement was accompanied by a joint demonstration.
2. Introduction to Interliant
Interliant uses the latest technology to build virtual communities for the sharing of information that is indispensable to the success of businesses enterprises. Using Interliant allows businesses to share both in-house and external databases, and to advertise via the WWW (World Wide Web), exchange E-mail, and link up with offices around the world.
In addition to access via leased lines and X.25, in North America the Interliant network can be accessed via 0800 number (toll-free) services, the Internet and frame relay services.
Interliant has provided uninterrupted commercial network services since January 1, 1994.
Interliant is an NSPAP (Net Service Provider, Alliance Partner) of Lotus.
For more information about Interliant, please phone +1 (713) 650-6522, or send E-mail to: info@interliant.com Interliant's home page can be accessed at: http://www.interliant.com
Interliant is a registered trademark of Interliant, Inc.
3. Message from Interliant
Jim Lidestri, President and CEO of Interliant says, "Interliant was founded to provide organizations with the services they need to meet the growing challenges of intra-enterprise and inter-enterprise workgroup computing. Interoperability with like-minded network service providers, such as NTT, is a logical component of that strategy, "
4. Message from Lotus K.K.
The announcement that NTT, NTT DATA, NTT PC, NTT International, and Interliant have formed a partnership for the joint operation of a Notes Network Service is excellent news for the large number of service users whose business activities extend around the globe.
The chief purpose of the Notes Network Service is to allow users around the world to conduct their business with greater ease than ever before by using Notes via the Internet. Globalization through a partnership such as this is an important step towards the realization of that goal, and offers great merits to companies pursuing business overseas. Users will enjoy a communication environment featuring an advanced Notes security system and flexible application development functions running on the highly reliable network provided by the partners.
This announcement is undoubtedly the most important step towards the realization of the joint operations proposed by the global organization MSAF (Multimedia Services Affiliate Forum).
Lotus has great expectations of the capacity of Notes/Domino to satisfy the new market needs arising from the creation of global networks. We will devote our energies to providing a wide range of technical support services to ensure that the partnership created by this agreement continues to gain strength and that the overseas networks continue to grow.
August 6, 1997
Saburo Kikuchi
President
Lotus K.K.
