SANTA CLARA, Calif., Feb. 26, 2008 (PRIME NEWSWIRE) -- Foundry Networks(r), Inc. (Nasdaq:FDRY), a performance and total solutions leader for end-to-end switching and routing, today announced the Foundry Networks IronPowered Technology Alliance Program to deliver customers added value through strategic partnerships, implementation of joint technology solutions and proven interoperability engineered for the escalating requirements and complex needs of Foundry's(tm) worldwide customers. By attracting leading global partners to complement Foundry's best-of-breed and open standards strategy, customers are empowered with choice when selecting the right network solution to fit their business objectives.
To support the needs of varying organizations, Foundry's IronPowered Technology Alliance Program delivers best-in-class network and application integration solutions with industry-leading companies, such as Microsoft, Mitel, Oracle, SAP and Symantec. This collaborative program delivers joint customers a simplified integrated networking and application solution, co-market and branding benefits, qualified lead generation program, strategic joint solution sales opportunities, complementary solutions validated through interoperability testing, and worldwide best-in-class technology training/support infrastructure.
"I consult and collaborate with all the major networking vendors and many of the world's largest enterprises regarding effective network implementation to maximize the benefits they can achieve from all the solutions available on the market," said Zeus Kerravala, senior vice president, Enterprise Research for Yankee Group. "Enterprises should seriously evaluate leveraging best-of-breed solutions rather than being locked into one vendor in order to tailor features and capabilities that fit their business, while providing network operators with the freedom of product choice."
Many enterprise customers use a variety of networking vendors in their infrastructure. Recognizing enterprises' preference to select the solution that best fits the customers' needs, the Foundry Networks IronPowered Technology Alliance Program is built to provide best-of-breed solutions with the reassurance that joint products have been tested and certified for interoperability. This not only minimizes network administrative confusion and ongoing maintenance upkeep, but also creates an end-to-end solution that delivers on customers' business requirements.
"The network is the enabler and critical ingredient for today's organizations; it facilitates greater efficiencies, generates competitive advantages, and promotes extraordinary gains in productivity and innovation," said Benjamin Taft, vice president of corporate marketing and business development for Foundry Networks. "The Foundry Networks IronPowered Technology Alliance Program is designed from the ground up to help promote the inherent advantages of a multi-vendor network infrastructure to support today's evolving business operations, ultimately empowering business decision makers to drive the network, rather than the network dictating business strategy."
IronPowered Program Levels
The IronPowered Technology Alliance Program admits partners at varying partnership levels to ensure that the goals and objectives of both Foundry Networks and the partners are met. Foundry's select partners' commitment and capabilities are matched with the appropriate partnership level, which then guides their requirements for participation and the benefits they in turn receive. As partners' progress and business objectives are attained, the IronPowered Technology Alliance Program allows these partners to gain increasing membership benefits.
-- Global Alliance: The relationship between Foundry Networks and
a partner is global in nature and covers multiple functional
groups or organizations between the two companies.
-- Strategic Alliance: Companies at this level have a significant
market presence and have a track record of success with Foundry
Networks.
-- Premier Alliance: Companies at this level are newly partnered
with Foundry or have a deliberate reason for working with us.
These partnerships must fill a technology gap or bring value to
Foundry services or solutions.
-- Interoperable Solutions: Companies that have completed
interoperability testing for their solutions. Companies at this
level have a product that fills a technology gap, but do not
meet the Premier Alliance level requirements.
For more information on the Foundry Networks IronPowered Technology Alliance Program, please visit http://www.foundrynet.com/partners/partners-tech/alliance-program.html
About Foundry Networks
Foundry Networks, Inc. (Nasdaq:FDRY) is a leading provider of high-performance enterprise and service provider switching, routing, security and Web traffic management solutions, including Layer 2/3 LAN switches, Layer 3 Backbone switches, Layer 4-7 application switches, wireless LAN and access points, metro and core routers. Foundry's customers include the world's premier ISPs, metro service providers, and enterprises, including e-commerce sites, universities, entertainment, health and wellness, government, financial and manufacturing companies. For more information about the company and its products, call 1.888.TURBOLAN or visit www.foundrynet.com.
The Foundry Networks, Inc. logo is available at http://www.primenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=2756
Safe Harbor Statement
The foregoing may contain "forward-looking statements" which are based on management's current information and beliefs as well as on a number of assumptions concerning future events made by management. These forward-looking statements include, without limitation, press release content or statements by executives or spokespeople regarding Foundry's Technology Alliance Program, positioning and potential plans. The forward-looking statements in this press release are only predictions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially. Foundry assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Furthermore, no statements made by Foundry Networks, Inc. ("Foundry") in this press release, or information contained herein, may be deemed to constitute either an amendment of an existing agreement or an implied new commitment, promise or legal obligation by Foundry to develop or deliver any specific product, feature or functionality.