Hostworks, the Australian managed services provider, has launched a software-as-a-service capability targeting reductions in IT operational costs, and enhanced business continuity for medium-sized enterprise customers (companies of 150 size). With data centres in Sydney and Adelaide the company will deliver software applications, ranging from email and Microsoft Office to proprietary business applications, via either broadband Internet or dedicated links to Hostworks.

SunGard Availability Services has launched an Archiving Service for Messaging to assist companies in their efforts to meet Sarbanes-Oxley retention requirements and other regulatory and transparency concerns. The service captures e-mails and transmits them to a secure SunGard repository for archiving. The e-mails subsequently can be retrieved through an intuitive interface, according to the vendor. SunGard provides customers with the required hardware, software and network resources, as well as ongoing monitoring and management services.

Access infrastructure solutions provider, Citrix Systems, Inc has signed an agreement to acquire NetScaler, Inc., a high-performance application networking player. The transaction is valued at approximately US$300 million in cash and stock, plus the assumption of approximately US$23 million in unvested stock options. The deal is expected to close in 3Q 2005 subject to conditions and regulatory approvals. Based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Citrix has offices in 22 countries and approximately 6,200 channel and alliance partners in more than 100 countries.

Built on SingTel's network infrastructure, Expan has developed one of the most extensive regional points of presence with 12 data centre facilities located in 6 countries: Australia, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan. Beyond this, the company has concluded 25 marketing alliances in 8 countries. Counting Visa, HP, MTV and Real Networks among its client base, the SingTel Telecommunications Complex also secured BP Singapore when it opened its Most of the World Mega Data Centre earlier this year.

Data centres used by US financial services companies are increasingly much larger and even figure as an important factor in any merger or acquisition. Large banks are trending to a minimum of 2 major data centres and a number of regional ones. Smaller banks tend to have a single data centre. The average data centre size for a typical large bank (more than 5 million customers and 1000 branches) is between 12,000 - 24,000 sq ft. Smaller regional data centres are sized at around 4,000 - 8,000 sq. ft. Upgrades are tending to be 1-3U single servers or blades.

Redbus Interhouse (France) SA, the French division of the colocation and managed services provider, has signed a major contract with international global law firm, Clifford Chance. Under the terms of the agreement, Redbus Interhouse will provide a fully secured housing environment for Clifford Chance's core Southern and Eastern European IT infrastructure and dedicated servers.

PT Indosat Tbk, has deployed a network Point-of-Presence (POP) within Equinix's Singapore Internet Business Exchange (IBX) centre. The deal will enable Indosat to streamline its network connectivity and reduce intermediate transit.

FiberNet Telecom Group, Inc. a provider of complex metro data services, has been selected by KPN to distribute its traffic to its destination partners in the United States. KPN will cross connect with leading carriers through a customized, virtual presence at FiberNet's 60 Hudson Street Meet-Me-Room facility. KPN cited the combination of FiberNet's integrated colocation facilities, continuous on-site support and access to multiple carriers as the primary reason for the selection.

Switch and Data has signed an agreement with Looking Glass Networks Inc. to expand into one of Switch and Data's colocation and interconnection sites in New York. As part of its expansion, Looking Glass Networks now provides lit transport and dark fibre services to Switch & Data locations in Atlanta, Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles, New York, Palo Alto, San Jose, and Washington, D.C. Dark fibre is optical fibre infrastructure (cabling and repeaters) that is currently in place but is not being used.

The Carlyle Group, a global private equity firm, with nearly US$30 billion under management has selected Equinix's Hong Kong Internet Business Exchange(TM) (IBX) centre to deploy the company's Asia Pacific IT operations. Carlyle has an extensive IT infrastructure that requires the ability to rapidly exchange data within the company's Asia Pacific operations under the highest levels of security and performance. Power operations at each data centre include a high-performance backup system that provides uninterrupted power even in the event of utility power disruption.

LogicaCMG has won an £18 million win at Metronet Rail, which is contracted to maintain and upgrade two-thirds of the London Underground network, covers a six-year period. The consultancy has taken over the support and management of Metronet's data centre and will provide services from remote and local offices.