N+I 2000: Concord, Newbridge OEM Agreement to Provide VPN Service Assurance

Concord Communications Inc.> (Marlboro, MA) and Newbridge Networks (Kanata, ON) have signed an OEM agreement that will extend virtual private network (VPN) services with service quality management technology from Concord's eHealth. Under the terms of the agreement, Newbridge will embed eHealth, Concord's performance and availability management software, in its 930 VPN Service Manager (930 VSM) service management system for VPNs (virtual private networks). The combined products will offer a complete system for managing VPN service quality.

The agreement stems from work the companies began in 1997 to design tools to monitor the performance of high-speed broadband networks. Under this expanded agreement, Newbridge will embed Concord's eHealth solution, which spans networks, applications, and systems, into the 930 VSM service management tool that enables service providers to automate provisioning and improve service assurance for IP, asynchronous transfer mode, frame relay, and broadband wireless VPNs. eHealth adds expertise in performance management and analysis, extending the 930 VSM's ability to accurately and easily demonstrate service level performance.

The combination of the 930 VSM and eHealth gives service providers a powerful tool for enhancing customer satisfaction and loyalty, as well as delivering early warning signs of performance problems in the network.

Newbridge will be demonstrating the 930 VPN Service Manager with the eHealth capabilities at NetWorld+Interop at booth #5187. Demonstrations of eHealth are also avail at Concord's booth #7262.

Edited by John Spofford, Managing Editor