June 8, 2006 – (HOSTSEARCH.COM) – Microsoft (http://www.microsoft.com) announced yesterday that Shanghai Telecom has deployed its hosted messaging and collaboration solution, Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration version 3.5. One of the first telecom operators in China to deploy the solution, it will be used by Shanghai Telecom as the messaging platform for Business Navigator, an applications delivery platform developed by China Telecom, Shanghai Telecom’s parent body. A three-month messaging services trial involving 150 small and midsize businesses (SMBs) will be conducted by Shanghai Telecom over the coming period.
Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration version 3.5 enables service providers to offer email services, mobile device data access, team web sites, and online presence information with “minimal upfront costs and a reduced requirement for IT resources”. The solution uses Microsoft Windows Server System software products and includes “deployment automation tools and scripts, code samples, and documented procedures and best practices that help service providers rapidly deploy a more secure and scalable messaging and collaboration infrastructure”.
Shanghai Telecom joins the ranks of KPN, Verizon Business and IS Interned Services (in partnership with T-Mobile Netherlands) as providers using the Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration version 3.5 to offer business-class messaging services.
“Microsoft is committed to building strategic relationships with service providers and helping them extend their revenue capabilities by delivering a range of services that businesses today need,” suggested Maria Martinez, Corporate Vice President of Microsoft’s Communications Sector. “Shanghai Telecom’s deployment of the Microsoft Solution for Hosted Messaging and Collaboration version 3.5 is an important step addressing the growing demand for business-class messaging and collaboration services in the Chinese market.”
“In China, there are some 11.2 million SMBs with 145.6 million employees, and many of these companies are not able to utilize technologies such as a business-class messaging and collaboration suite,” added Shen Xin, Director of the Biz Navigator Project Department of Shanghai Telecom. “By working with Microsoft, we can now offer our attractive and yet affordable Business Navigator services to this market and effectively meet their demand for low-cost but reliable IT solutions. This represents a large market potential for us.”
