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Alcatel-Lucent Connects Communications Networks and the Cloud
PARIS, November 17, 2011/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
New CloudBand 'carrier cloud' solution brings the reliability, security
and high performance of communications networks to the cloud services market
Today Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is introducing a new
solution, called CloudBand
[http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/new-thinking/market-growth/cloud.html?s_cid=cloud_press_20111117 ]
, which brings together the computing power and
flexibility of the cloud with the high performance, reliability and security
of communications networks. CloudBand is the foundation for a new class of
'carrier cloud' services that will enable communications service providers
to bring the benefits of the cloud to their own networks and business
operations, and put them in an ideal position to offer a new range of
high-performance cloud services to enterprises and consumers.
The public cloud model has transformed how we access applications and
use computing power and data storage. Applications and data can now be
accessed on-demand from data centers through the Internet. Some services,
however, are dependent on levels of quality and performance that the public
cloud is not able to provide.
Recent Alcatel-Lucent research that surveyed nearly 3500 enterprise IT
decision makers has found that their biggest concern by far about the cloud
is performance, followed by security. CloudBand helps address these concerns
by drawing on the unique strengths of communications service providers to
create a new level of 'business class' cloud services that are delivered
using secure, reliable, high-performance communications networks. This new
level of service offers lower latency, better control of bandwidth and the
ability to provide a guaranteed quality of service, all of which are
necessary to meet the stringent performance demands of consumers and
enterprises.
CloudBand is comprised of two distinct elements: the CloudBand
Management System - which delivers orchestration and optimization of
services between the communications network and the cloud; and the CloudBand
Node, which provides the computing, storage and networking hardware and
associated software to host a wide range of cloud services. CloudBand will
be available for deployment in the first half of 2012.
Building the Carrier Cloud
CloudBand will enable communications service providers to deliver
networking services from the cloud. By shifting to a cloud-based delivery
model, service providers will be able to market and deliver new services to
customers quickly, with improved quality of service and at lower cost. Using
CloudBand, service providers can 'virtualize' many of the critical elements
of their networks by converting them into software which is run in the cloud
and accessed on demand as needed to address shifts in customer usage
patterns.
Rather than having to install dedicated equipment for every
communication service, such as SMS or video, service providers can instead
draw from the carrier cloud to address demand. This approach offers service
providers an enormous amount of 'elasticity', meaning they can expand or
shrink particular elements of their service mix quickly as market demand
dictate. It also means they can test out new services without having to make
a massive investment, making it much easier to start small and grow as
needed.
The biggest challenge in making the carrier cloud a reality is bringing
the computing and communications network assets together. CloudBand, which
features advanced algorithms developed by Bell Labs, orchestrates the
network, computing and data storage elements distributed throughout the
network. This approach results in the creation of a single, extremely
powerful and flexible service delivery and computing platform that can
support a wide range of services, eliminating the need for dedicated
hardware platforms for each individual service. As importantly, this
orchestration capability can be expanded beyond the service provider's
network to help manage access to a wide array of public and private clouds.
Adolfo Hernandez, President, of Alcatel-Lucent's Software, Services &
Solutions Group said: "From our research we know that performance is the
highest concern of IT decision makers. We also know that they believe
communications service providers are in the best position to deliver the
quality and security they expect, making them the cloud provider of choice
for the enterprise world.
Hernandez added: "The network makes the cloud, and communications
service providers own the networks. That's a very powerful combination."
Informa telecommunications analyst Camille Mendler said: "Service
providers' cloud investments have already exceeded $11 billion in 2011, but
financial rewards will only come if their computing and network assets are
tightly integrated. Orchestration platforms like Alcatel-Lucent's CloudBand
support efficient consumption and control of diverse digital resources.
Better control means better performance - and that's absolutely critical to
differentiate and win customers."
Alcatel-Lucent's global cloud initiative
CloudBand is a key element of the company's cloud initiative, which
supports the adoption and transformation of Alcatel-Lucent's own platforms
and applications to a cloud-based architecture. These applications are also
offered as a service from Alcatel-Lucent's cloud to carriers; 18 million
subscribers are currently being served through this initiative.
Alcatel-Lucent is working with a number of partners to make this cloud
vision a reality, most notably HP. The ten-year strategic global agreement
with HP was formed to jointly develop a wide array of converged solutions
for the information and communication technology (ICT) market and bridge the
gap between the data center and the network.
Visit our website to learn more about CloudBand and our global cloud
initiative
[http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/new-thinking/market-growth/cloud.html?s_cid=cloud_press_20111117 ]
. We also invite you to check out a video on
Alcatel-Lucent's vision for the carrier cloud
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1t8XP1s6XQ ].
About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)
The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises, strategic
industries and governments around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leader in
mobile, fixed, IP and Optics technologies, and a pioneer in applications and
services. Alcatel-Lucent includes Bell Labs, one of the world's foremost
centres of research and innovation in communications technology.
With operations in more than 130 countries and one of the most
experienced global services organizations in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is
a local partner with global reach.
The Company achieved revenues of Euro 16 billion in 2010 and is
incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.
For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on:
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the
Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the
Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.
Source: Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent Press Contacts: SIMON POULTER, simon.poulter@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +33(0)1-40-76-50-84; MARK HUDSON , mark.hudson@alcatel-lucent.com , T: +1-405-844-6827. ALCATEL-LUCENT INVESTOR RELATIONS: FRANK MACCARY, frank.maccary@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +33(0)1-40-76-12-11; DON SWEENEY, don.sweeney@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +1-908-582-6153; TOM BEVILACQUA, thomas.bevilacqua@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +1-908-582-7998; CONSTANCE DE CAMBIAIRE, constance.de_cambiaire@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +33(0)1-40-76-10-13.
Alcatel-Lucent Connects Communications Networks and the Cloud
PARIS, November 17, 2011/PRNewswire-FirstCall/ --
New CloudBand 'carrier cloud' solution brings the reliability, security
and high performance of communications networks to the cloud services market
Today Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU) is introducing a new
solution, called CloudBand
[http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/new-thinking/market-growth/cloud.html?s_cid=cloud_press_20111117 ]
, which brings together the computing power and
flexibility of the cloud with the high performance, reliability and security
of communications networks. CloudBand is the foundation for a new class of
'carrier cloud' services that will enable communications service providers
to bring the benefits of the cloud to their own networks and business
operations, and put them in an ideal position to offer a new range of
high-performance cloud services to enterprises and consumers.
The public cloud model has transformed how we access applications and
use computing power and data storage. Applications and data can now be
accessed on-demand from data centers through the Internet. Some services,
however, are dependent on levels of quality and performance that the public
cloud is not able to provide.
Recent Alcatel-Lucent research that surveyed nearly 3500 enterprise IT
decision makers has found that their biggest concern by far about the cloud
is performance, followed by security. CloudBand helps address these concerns
by drawing on the unique strengths of communications service providers to
create a new level of 'business class' cloud services that are delivered
using secure, reliable, high-performance communications networks. This new
level of service offers lower latency, better control of bandwidth and the
ability to provide a guaranteed quality of service, all of which are
necessary to meet the stringent performance demands of consumers and
enterprises.
CloudBand is comprised of two distinct elements: the CloudBand
Management System - which delivers orchestration and optimization of
services between the communications network and the cloud; and the CloudBand
Node, which provides the computing, storage and networking hardware and
associated software to host a wide range of cloud services. CloudBand will
be available for deployment in the first half of 2012.
Building the Carrier Cloud
CloudBand will enable communications service providers to deliver
networking services from the cloud. By shifting to a cloud-based delivery
model, service providers will be able to market and deliver new services to
customers quickly, with improved quality of service and at lower cost. Using
CloudBand, service providers can 'virtualize' many of the critical elements
of their networks by converting them into software which is run in the cloud
and accessed on demand as needed to address shifts in customer usage
patterns.
Rather than having to install dedicated equipment for every
communication service, such as SMS or video, service providers can instead
draw from the carrier cloud to address demand. This approach offers service
providers an enormous amount of 'elasticity', meaning they can expand or
shrink particular elements of their service mix quickly as market demand
dictate. It also means they can test out new services without having to make
a massive investment, making it much easier to start small and grow as
needed.
The biggest challenge in making the carrier cloud a reality is bringing
the computing and communications network assets together. CloudBand, which
features advanced algorithms developed by Bell Labs, orchestrates the
network, computing and data storage elements distributed throughout the
network. This approach results in the creation of a single, extremely
powerful and flexible service delivery and computing platform that can
support a wide range of services, eliminating the need for dedicated
hardware platforms for each individual service. As importantly, this
orchestration capability can be expanded beyond the service provider's
network to help manage access to a wide array of public and private clouds.
Adolfo Hernandez, President, of Alcatel-Lucent's Software, Services &
Solutions Group said: "From our research we know that performance is the
highest concern of IT decision makers. We also know that they believe
communications service providers are in the best position to deliver the
quality and security they expect, making them the cloud provider of choice
for the enterprise world.
Hernandez added: "The network makes the cloud, and communications
service providers own the networks. That's a very powerful combination."
Informa telecommunications analyst Camille Mendler said: "Service
providers' cloud investments have already exceeded $11 billion in 2011, but
financial rewards will only come if their computing and network assets are
tightly integrated. Orchestration platforms like Alcatel-Lucent's CloudBand
support efficient consumption and control of diverse digital resources.
Better control means better performance - and that's absolutely critical to
differentiate and win customers."
Alcatel-Lucent's global cloud initiative
CloudBand is a key element of the company's cloud initiative, which
supports the adoption and transformation of Alcatel-Lucent's own platforms
and applications to a cloud-based architecture. These applications are also
offered as a service from Alcatel-Lucent's cloud to carriers; 18 million
subscribers are currently being served through this initiative.
Alcatel-Lucent is working with a number of partners to make this cloud
vision a reality, most notably HP. The ten-year strategic global agreement
with HP was formed to jointly develop a wide array of converged solutions
for the information and communication technology (ICT) market and bridge the
gap between the data center and the network.
Visit our website to learn more about CloudBand and our global cloud
initiative
[http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/new-thinking/market-growth/cloud.html?s_cid=cloud_press_20111117 ]
. We also invite you to check out a video on
Alcatel-Lucent's vision for the carrier cloud
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g1t8XP1s6XQ ].
About Alcatel-Lucent (Euronext Paris and NYSE: ALU)
The long-trusted partner of service providers, enterprises, strategic
industries and governments around the world, Alcatel-Lucent is a leader in
mobile, fixed, IP and Optics technologies, and a pioneer in applications and
services. Alcatel-Lucent includes Bell Labs, one of the world's foremost
centres of research and innovation in communications technology.
With operations in more than 130 countries and one of the most
experienced global services organizations in the industry, Alcatel-Lucent is
a local partner with global reach.
The Company achieved revenues of Euro 16 billion in 2010 and is
incorporated in France and headquartered in Paris.
For more information, visit Alcatel-Lucent on:
http://www.alcatel-lucent.com, read the latest posts on the
Alcatel-Lucent blog http://www.alcatel-lucent.com/blog and follow the
Company on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Alcatel_Lucent.
Source: Alcatel-Lucent
Alcatel-Lucent Press Contacts: SIMON POULTER, simon.poulter@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +33(0)1-40-76-50-84; MARK HUDSON , mark.hudson@alcatel-lucent.com , T: +1-405-844-6827. ALCATEL-LUCENT INVESTOR RELATIONS: FRANK MACCARY, frank.maccary@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +33(0)1-40-76-12-11; DON SWEENEY, don.sweeney@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +1-908-582-6153; TOM BEVILACQUA, thomas.bevilacqua@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +1-908-582-7998; CONSTANCE DE CAMBIAIRE, constance.de_cambiaire@alcatel-lucent.com , T : +33(0)1-40-76-10-13.