EPiCON Joins Cisco Hosted Applications Initiative and Extends ASPs' Reach by Managing the Desktop Side of Hosted Applications

Business Wire, Sept 13, 1999

WALTHAM, Mass.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 13, 1999--

--Enables Application Service Providers To Host More

Applications And Improve "Application QoS"--

EPiCON(TM), Inc., today introduced ALTiS ASP, an industry-leading software platform that, for the first time, enables Application Service Providers (ASPs) to manage the desktop side of hosted applications. The ALTiS(TM) solution cements customer loyalty by expanding ASPs' application offerings and dramatically increasing their "Application Quality of Service" on everything from desktop browser applications to enterprise-class ERP packages.

EPiCON today also announced that they are joining the Cisco Systems' (NASDAQ: CSCO) Hosted Applications Initiative. The Cisco initiative provides businesses of all sizes with access to powerful applications that were previously beyond their reach and creates an emerging ecosystem of software application vendors, application service providers, internet service providers, co-location providers, system integrators, and technology partners to deliver a variety of hosted business applications. As part of the Cisco Hosted Applications lab, EPiCON's solutions will be tested to optimize architecture and deployment. Also, as part of the Cisco initiative, EPiCON will work closely with Cisco's other initiative ecosystem participants to introduce EPiCON solutions to the ASP market.

With industry analyst projections ranging from $2 to $6 billion by 2003, the "apps on tap" market is gaining momentum. Currently, most ASPs focus on the delivery of a handful of ERP or "webified" applications. In order to achieve the potential of the application hosting market, ASPs will need to provide businesses with a full variety of business applications, as well as end-to-end support and high quality of service. This requires technology to manage the desktop side of hosted applications, according to Jack Sweeney, president and CEO of EPiCON.

"ASPs can't scale unless they can cost-effectively manage any desktop application such as SAP or Peoplesoft clients, browsers, plug-ins, email clients and other client modules across tens of thousands of desktops," Sweeney noted. "Furthermore, the business model becomes much more attractive if ASPs can add `thick client' applications to their hosted offerings."

"With this introduction EPiCON is creating a huge opportunity for those ASPs who understand that their differentiation will depend on their ability to manage every link in the application chain," Sweeney continued. "If an end-user pushes the `Enter' key and nothing happens, it doesn't matter to them if the cause is the server, the network or a corrupt file on the PC--they will still hold the service provider responsible."

"As a member of the Cisco Hosted Applications Initiative, we are now able to take advantage of Cisco's intelligent, end-to-end network infrastructure. This, coupled with our innovative software technology will offer end-users an extensive, cost-effective range of applications, as well as true end-to-end application management across every step of the I/T infrastructure," added Sweeney.

"We are pleased to count EPiCON as a participant in the Cisco Hosted Applications Initiative," said Eugene Lee, vice president of marketing for Cisco's Small/Medium line of business. "Application hosting delivers the functionality of full network services to customers, who can then realize all the benefits of an in-house infrastructure, without the attendant costs. EPiCON's innovative approach to the deployment and management of applications over the Internet can accelerate the adoption of hosted applications among end users."

Key benefits of the ALTiS Technology for ASPs include:

--The ability to manage hundreds of applications and client modules for thousands of Windows(TM) PC users based on centrally-maintained policies.

--Reduced deployment and installation costs.

--Fast and transparent application updates.

--Reduced support costs through application "self-healing."

Key benefits for end-users include:

--Fast, easy access to software applications over the Internet, intranets, LANs and WANs.

--Transparent installation, updating and termination of applications.

--Assurance that the correct and current version of the application, browser or plug-in is always on the PC.

--Access to Windows-based applications as needed and on demand.

--The highest levels of application performance and reliability.

"EPiCON is providing a valuable service to the ASP market by focusing on the importance of the client architecture. Although some applications can be run entirely on the server, many others have user interface and performance issues that demand client-based execution. For ASPs to offer true end-to-end management of these applications, a delivery and management technology like EPiCON's will be crucial," said Marty Gruhn, vice president, Internet Business Solutions, of Summit Strategies.

"Companies such as EPiCON are delivering platforms that enable customers to acquire and implement software applications far more quickly and more cost-efficiently than before," said John Prisco, president and CEO of 2nd Century Communications, a second-generation competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) based in Tampa, Fla. "With solutions like ALTiS ASP, service providers can expand their product portfolio to deliver a broad suite of services leveraging the latest technology. Customers can then focus on their core business and not worry about managing their network."