HP, MIL 3 Deliver First Simulation Software to Link Network Service Levels With Future Business Requirements

Business Wire, Jan 18, 1999

PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 18, 1999--

Automated Simulation of Network Infrastructure and

Service Loads Accurately Predicts IT's Capacity to

Meet Future Business Needs

Hewlett-Packard Company and MIL 3, Inc. today introduce a jointly developed solution that provides information technology (IT) managers with a view into future IT capacity. This insight helps IT management commit confidently to network service levels that meet business-critical needs.

The software solution will be marketed by both companies under different names -- HP OpenView Service Simulator for Networks 6.0 and IT DecisionGuru 6.0.

The HP and MIL 3 solution, powered by MIL 3's OPNET simulation technology, is the only software that automatically integrates network-topology and network-traffic information with projected network service loads. Through a point-and-click interface, users can generate an exact replica of an IT infrastructure by leveraging network-management and measurement data from HP OpenView Network Node Manager and HP NetMetrix. An expert service-prediction module maps the replicated IT environment to business-specific, service-level objectives (SLOs).

These features enable IT managers to run precise simulations of their IT environments against the SLOs to determine if current resources will support future requirements. If existing resources cannot support adequate service levels, the solution reports the likely reasons, such as potential latency bottlenecks and capacity choke points. The software then runs simulation updates routinely to ensure that IT managers have current information.

"The capability offered by HP and MIL 3 represents a significant breakthrough," said Scott Toborg of Southwestern Bell's Technology Resources Group. "It helps minimize costly errors by allowing us to create `what-if' scenarios before committing to any action. We currently use integrated management and modeling to assist in the design of large customer networks and to design next-generation services. We expect that the HP and MIL 3 solution will be a vital asset for growing our network services and will differentiate us from competitors."

"Whether IT personnel are projecting the impact of 500 additional e-mail users, deploying a multitier application or consolidating data centers, the HP and MIL 3 solution helps them support their businesses better," said Marc Cohen, MIL 3's chief executive officer. "The software provides a realistic assessment regarding cost-effective use of existing resources and how best to support a growing business into the future."

The solution offers several additional benefits, including the following:

-- a faster, more precise replica of the IT environment than

the time-consuming, error-prone models created by software

requiring manual data input;

-- simulated "test drives" of new technologies, such as ATM or

Gigabit Ethernet, that help avoid costly mistakes before

purchases are made;

-- objective documentation that service providers and systems

integrators can use to validate proposals when responding to

RFPs; and

-- a specialized module available from MIL 3 that enables IT

DecisionGuru to assess the impact of SAP R/3 deployment on

the business network.

"There are two significant costs associated with an enterprise network: the expense of building and maintaining a network and the expense of network under performance," said Anita Manwani, general manager of HP's NetMetrix Division. "The HP and MIL 3 solution addresses both areas by providing superior network design and visibility into future performance to prevent problems long before they affect business."

U.S. Pricing and Availability

The HP and MIL 3 software is available for the HP-UX(1), Sun Solaris and Microsoft(R) Windows NT(R), Windows(R) 95 and Windows 98 operating systems. MIL 3 IT DecisionGuru and HP OpenView Service Simulator for Networks are available immediately in a variety of configurations with a U.S. price starting at under $20,000.

About MIL 3

MIL 3, Inc. is a rapidly growing developer of advanced software tools for communications network planning and design. Based in Washington, D.C., MIL 3 has been the world leader in providing state-of-the-art products for modeling and simulating communications networks since 1986. With its OPNET family of products, MIL 3 has provided thousands of organizations of all sizes around the world with sophisticated tools to quickly and efficiently design or improve communications networks and components. Visit MIL 3 at www.mil3.com.

About HP

Hewlett-Packard Company is a leading global provider of computing, Internet and intranet solutions, services, communications products and measurement solutions, all of which are recognized for excellence in quality and support. HP has 124,600 employees and had revenue of $47.1 billion in its 1998 fiscal year.

Information about HP, its products and the company's Year 2000 program can be found on the World Wide Web at http://www.hp.com.

Information about HP OpenView Service Simulator can be found on the World Wide Web at www.hp.com/go/openview.>