The contract will see THUS connect seven SSP sites across the UK and Ireland to its MPLS WAN, enabling voice, data and Internet traffic across a single network. In addition, THUS will also provide a wholesale DSL product allowing SSP to offer 2,500 client locations a managed network service.
Nick Bate, SSP's director of finance, said, "SSP provides business critical solutions to a sector which requires speed and efficiency more than most. To service this effectively, our staff need to be mobile and THUS has provided a cost-effective and high quality solution to allow remote working through VoIP. THUS' next generation MPLS network allows remote workers to access centralised data and applications with speed and cuts costs by reducing the need for remote workers to rely on mobile phones. As long as staff have a broadband connection, VoIP will provide the ability to route calls to a direct dial number, regardless of location."
As SSP operates in the financial sector, the security of its network is of prime importance. THUS will also be providing a managed firewall as well as hosting co-location services, providing SSP with a guarantee that its network can withstand network attacks from the outside world and that its data is replicated.
Phil Male, chief operating officer, THUS plc said, 'With our NGN, SSP has opted for a robust, future-proof solution that is fully scaleable and highly flexible. This relationship is focused on working together in the future to develop joint solutions for the insurance marketplace, giving us both the competitive edge in this industry."