Cable & Wireless Optus today unveiled its Application Service Provider (ASP) push into the Australian market on the back of a global alliance between Cable & Wireless plc and key global industry players Compaq and Microsoft.

"In the next four years we expect that over a quarter of Australian business will take advantage of ASP's as they discover the savings and flexibility in 'renting' software based solutions," said David Stokes-McKeon, Director E-solutions, Cable & Wireless Optus.

Through Cable & Wireless plc, Cable & Wireless Optus has the ability to quickly seed new applications into the Australian market and at the same time offer solutions that have global reach and scale to the small & medium enterprise (SME) market, the corporate market and the wholesale market.

"Our aim is to enable businesses in Australia and trading communities around the world to build their e-business, that's why partnerships with strong local and global players such as Compaq and Microsoft are vital," said Stokes-McKeon.

"By offering a targeted, yet integrated set of e-business solutions, Cable & Wireless Optus can deliver solutions not only within market segments but across market segments," he said.

As part of Triangle, Cable & Wireless Optus, in partnership with Compaq and Microsoft, will deploy Microsoft Office and Outlook as a hosted application set to the SME market. (See Cable & Wireless media release attached).

Compaq will be providing a range of internet access devices such as iPAQ Pocket PC through to storage and server infrastructure. Cable & Wireless Optus and Compaq will develop selected channels to market and sell the new services.

Cable & Wireless Optus will continue to expand the application portfolio to SMEs and will incorporate the Commerce One procurement application into the offering among others.

"We are giving Australian businesses a one-stop-shop for their e-business needs while at the same time delivering substantial cost savings," Mr Stokes-McKeon said.

In the corporate market, the Cable & Wireless Optus approach is to work with businesses to enable them to better manage their relationships with buyers, suppliers and customers.

"We understand that larger organisations have their own particular needs. Apart from services for themselves, these organisations can take some, or all of these solutions, and brand these services to their own customers. This is absolutely the quickest way to grow a new market," he said.

The Cable & Wireless Optus ASP portfolio is underpinned by three data centres located in Sydney with another two facilities, one in Sydney and one in Melbourne to come online by first quarter next year.

For more information:
Stephen Woodhill
Cable & Wireless Optus
Phone: 02 9342 7850