Verizon Business Teams With Westcon Group to Expand Single-Source Model for Global Network Support

Distribution Agreement Expands Reach to Global Enterprise Customers; Enhances Verizon's Cost-Effective Procurement Model, Which Includes Simplified Contracting, Billing and Delivery

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., June 4 -- Verizon Business is expanding its single-source capabilities for deploying customer premises equipment (CPE) and related support services to aid large-business and government customers in building and managing global networks.

Under a new multiyear global distribution agreement with Westcon Group, Verizon Business will expand its global logistics reach and provide multinational enterprises with just-in-time delivery of critical communications equipment and services. Westcon Group, a leading specialty distributor of networking, convergence, security and mobility equipment, will also provide optional configuration and staging services for Verizon Business customers. Specifically, Westcon Group will load software according to customer specifications and then inventory, package and ship the gear for easy deployment.

The addition of Westcon Group enhances Verizon Business' global procurement model which includes cost-effective, simplified contracting, billing and delivery. Verizon Business' existing roster of world-class technology providers includes Avaya, Cisco, Fluke Networks, Juniper Networks, NCR, TANDBERG and Tech Data/Azlan.

"When we launched this initiative, we set out to meet the requirements of our multinational customer base by providing a centrally managed, locally delivered single-source model for equipment procurement," said Nancy Gofus, senior vice president - global business products, Verizon. "The addition of Westcon Group to this initiative complements our global logistics strategy and enables Verizon Business to further alleviate the burdens customers often bear in purchasing equipment and services to support their global networks."

Announced in February, Verizon Business' global procurement model simplifies the multitude of services the company offers to support CPE, including billing, contracting, logistics and financing. By entering into global agreements with leading equipment manufacturers, distributors and resellers, Verizon Business is able to offer its large-business and government customers consistent contract language, volume discounts and other advantageous terms.

"This new global distribution agreement will enable Westcon Group to deliver value and efficiency for Verizon Business and it global customers," said Chris Leeming, vice president - global business operations, Westcon Group. "Our Global Procurement System, Westcon Group's global order desk, delivers automated procurement support, helping Verizon Business augment its current capabilities, streamline cross-border deployments, and simplify the regulatory and financial complexities often associated with multinational equipment shipments."

Blair Crump, group president - worldwide sales, Verizon Business, said, "Globalization is driving our customers to embrace new business models, and the same trend is driving Verizon Business to develop new and better ways to serve our broad base of global customers. The addition of Westcon Group to our broad vendor ecosystem supporting this initiative will enable Verizon Business to provide enhanced global networking options to its multinational customers and help them accelerate the adoption of IP to transform their operations."

Verizon Business manages 270,000-plus security, network and hosting devices across more than 4,000 customer networks spanning 142 countries and territories, overseeing non-Verizon connections from more than 60 network providers worldwide. Verizon Business' managed network services are backed by industry-leading service-level commitments and the company's award-winning IMPACT management platform.

Verizon Business also offers a standardized set of professional-service capabilities in 30 countries around the globe. Delivered through 2,700 specially trained and experienced consultants in five key practice areas - security services, IT services, network integration and engineering, IP communications and contact center services - these services help customers successfully deploy and manage advanced networks and technologies.

  (Note - Availability of CPE and support services varies by country.)

  About Westcon

Westcon Group, Inc. is the leading specialty distributor in networking, security, mobility and convergence for leading technology vendors, including Cisco, Nortel and Avaya, Inc. Through its Westcon, Comstor and Voda One business practices, Westcon Group sells products and services to resellers, systems integrators and service providers. Westcon Group has particular expertise in the convergence of voice, data and video applications and technologies, including voice-over Internet protocol, or VoIP, security for networking and communications systems, remote access, Internet and e-business, virtual private networks, videoconferencing and wireless connectivity. For more information, visit www.westcongroup.com.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ) , is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with the world's most connected IP network to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions. We securely connect today's extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees - enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment. Many of the world's largest businesses and governments - including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions - rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business. Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

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