CenterBeam's New Rapid Implementation Methodology Increases Customer Savings and Productivity



    SAN JOSE, Calif., Nov. 4 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, CenterBeam announced a new
implementation methodology dramatically accelerating the time customers
receive the full benefit of CenterBeam's outsourced IT infrastructure service.
In many cases, full implementation is completed in just a few weeks, and a
core set of benefits can be realized in only a few days.
    "Everyone in business today values speed, one of CenterBeam's core values,
and our new implementation methodology shows how speed can drive increased
savings and performance for our customers," said Kevin Francis, CenterBeam
president and chief executive officer.  "CenterBeam's customers are benefiting
from our four years of continuous experience in migrating mid-size enterprises
to a large enterprise-class IT infrastructure."

    Two Key Factors Drive New Implementation Methodology
      CenterBeam's new implementation methodology results from two key
      factors:

    -- CenterBeam's Experience.  CenterBeam engineers have migrated thousands
       of desktop computers and servers, and are constantly reviewing and
       improving new procedures and tools.  This experience has resulted in
       development and continuous refinement of best practices and automated
       processes.
    -- CenterBeam's Suite of Tools.  Combining proprietary and best-in-class
       utilities, CenterBeam has created a unique suite of implementation
       tools that few, if any, in-house IT departments could afford or take
       the time to master.

    Four Interlocking Phases of Implementation
    CenterBeam's implementation methodology consists of four interlocking
phases:

    -- Discovery.  CenterBeam installs software agents to automatically assess
       every facet of the workstation, server, software and network
       environment.  This initial phase gives the customer and CenterBeam an
       in-depth view of every computer's processor, installed memory and
       operating system.
    -- Deployment.  Concurrent with the discovery phase, CenterBeam installs
       its basic support tool set on every computer to immediately support
       users on a core set of workstation and application features and
       functions.  This support tool set also enables CenterBeam to
       automatically back-up and restore workstations, perform remote
       administration and distribute software.
    -- Transition.  For the systems that the discovery process identifies as
       ready for the CenterBeam service, CenterBeam installs its enhanced
       support tools and joins that system to a new network domain.  For
       systems that need to be updated, CenterBeam migrates them to a current
       operating system, installs its full tool set and joins them to the new
       network domain.  All systems are now on the full CenterBeam service.
    -- Identity.  CenterBeam automates and integrates identity management
       across Microsoft Active Directory, Exchange and simple file and folder
       permissions.  CenterBeam automatically creates user objects in Active
       Directory and migrates mailboxes to a new Microsoft Exchange messaging
       infrastructure.  During this phase of the implementation, CenterBeam
       implements a virtual private network.  This immediately results in
       increased security and manageability within the office and when users
       are out of the office.

    Throughout the implementation process, the comprehensive range of user
preferences -- from cookies to bookmarks -- are preserved so there is no
interruption in productivity and creates a very high level of customer
satisfaction.

    Rapid Implementation Addresses Growing Demand for CenterBeam Service
    One additional benefit to CenterBeam's new rapid implementation model is
that it helps CenterBeam meet the growing demand for its services.
CenterBeam's reputation for delivering and managing high-quality, low-cost IT
infrastructure services is growing.  For example, Gartner recently published a
case study of CenterBeam's comprehensive service at Infoworld, describing in
detail how the magazine achieved a higher level of IT services at a lower
cost.  CenterBeam's growing reputation is fueling demand for CenterBeam's
service.  The result is that CenterBeam and its customers are completely
aligned to make the implementation happen as quickly as possible.

    CenterBeam:  Lowering Costs, Increasing Focus
    CenterBeam offers a unique IT management service for mid-sized businesses.
CenterBeam's clients benefit from an IT infrastructure that is more
sophisticated, secure and robust than they could build and manage themselves.
CenterBeam customers are more productive because the CenterBeam service is
much more reliable than the industry average.  IT organizations using the
CenterBeam service are able to focus staff onto business opportunities rather
than time-consuming, routine IT services.

    Total Satisfaction Guarantee
    CenterBeam's service is backed with a total satisfaction guarantee.
Building on the unprecedented levels of customer satisfaction resulting from
CenterBeam's innovative approach to IT services, CenterBeam has introduced a
fully flexible month-to-month agreement.  This new type of financial agreement
aligns pricing of IT services to the utility model.

    About CenterBeam, Inc.
    CenterBeam manages end-user information technology for organizations
interested in saving costs, raising productivity and increasing corporate
agility.  Founded in 1999, CenterBeam has strategic, financial and technical
backing from industry leaders Microsoft, Intel, Dell and EDS.  The company is
headquartered in San Jose, California and can be reached at 408-750-0500 or
http://www.centerbeam.com.