Qwest Communications has launched two new managed offerings, Qwest iQ Managed Security Service (MSS) and Qwest iQ Network Management Service (NMS), to provide a technology ecosystem specifically designed for businesses with 15,000 employees or fewer.

The Managed Security Service reduces the costs and complexities associated with managing security needs, while mitigating the impact of liability and security threats from malware, SPAM e-mail, unauthorised network access, and internet resource misuse, Qwest said.

Supported by IBM Internet Security Systems, the MSS enables customers to improve their system uptime and performance, optimise security investments, improve employee productivity and demonstrate compliance.

The company said that the network monitoring and management product suite provides complete out-tasking of all or part of customer’s data network. It enables customers to control operational costs, while improving network uptime and performance, regulatory compliance and to optimise their security investments.

In addition, the NMS also provides health and fault monitoring of network devices by IBM’s operations analysts using automated surveillance tools. The service also enables customers to view network performance statistics, alerts and create and manage trouble tickets from QControl Portal, the company said.

Eric Bozich, vice president of product management at Qwest Business Markets Group, said: “When we announced our relationship with IBM, we showcased that Qwest would design and deliver new solutions that let customers redirect their operational dollars to strategic initiatives and make IT a competitive differentiator rather than a cost center. Qwest is now delivering new mid-size business solutions that customers like TEAM Industries can leverage for success.”