The Co-operators Selects Q9 Networks To Host Multiple Web Sites For Its Group of Companies

HostReview.com
Tuesday, May 25, 2004; 12:00 AM

Calgary, AB and Toronto, ON - May 25, 2004 - Q9 Networks Inc., a leading Canadian provider of outsourced Internet infrastructure and related managed IT services, is pleased to announce it has been awarded a comprehensive managed services contract by The Co-operators Group. Under the terms of the agreement, Q9 is providing the managed infrastructure behind Web sites for a number of Co-operators companies, including: Co-operators Life Insurance Co., The Sovereign General, L'union Canadien Compagnie D'assurances, Co-operators General Insurance Co., and the HB Group. The Q9 solution includes managed servers, firewalls, high-availability Internet bandwidth and physical space in highly secure data centre facilities.

The Co-operators (www.cooperators.ca) is a group of wholly owned Canadian companies that specializes in insurance and financial security products. The Co-operators Group provides insurance protection services to more than two million Canadians and has assets of over $5 billion. It is the largest Canadian-owned, multi-product insurer.

"The Co-operators has a successful online presence that provides customers, agents, employees and shareholders with product, account and financial information," says Linda Yeo, Vice President, Information Services, Cooperators Life Insurance Company. "We view Q9 as a key technology partner able to provide us with the reliability and security we require for these strategic business assets."

Q9 delivers unparalleled service to more than 230 clients through an extensive suite of customer care products, including a Web-based portal that provides complete visibility into customer equipment and Q9 services. All Q9 and customer systems are monitored from the Q9 Network Operations Centre (NOC) 24 hours a day, seven days a week. NOC experts are also available to customers on an around-the-clock basis to resolve issues and provide advice.

"As the insurance industry becomes increasingly reliant on the Internet to deliver services and provide timely information, it is rightfully demanding that data infrastructure be 100 per cent reliable," says Osama Arafat, CEO, Q9 Networks. "The Co-operators is a recognized leader in the insurance industry and has been innovative in using the Internet to promote its products. As a proven network and Internet infrastructure provider to Canada's financial industry, Q9 is able to provide The Co-operators with the peace of mind that comes from SLA-backed reliability guarantees, highly redundant systems and considerable operational experience and expertise."

Q9's focus on Internet and related infrastructure allows it to hire, train and retain highly qualified experts in network-specific disciplines. Key services are backed with service level agreement (SLA) guarantees for installation time and problem identification and response. These factors enable customers to outsource mission-critical systems to Q9 with complete confidence.

About The Co-operators
The Co-operators is a group of Canadian companies focusing on insurance and financial security for Canadians and their communities. The Co-operators Group is owned by 28 Canadian co-operatives and credit unions and is well known for its philanthropy and community involvement. In 2003, The Co-operators was named to the Globe and Mail Report on Business magazine's list of '50 Best Employers in Canada'.

About Q9 Networks
Q9 Networks is a leading Canadian provider of outsourced Internet infrastructure and related managed services. Q9's data centres and network are backed by an industry leading SLA which guarantees 100% network and power availability. Q9 managed services, including: bandwidth, dedicated servers, firewalls, load balancing, virtual private networking (VPN) and back-up/restore, enable the rapid provisioning and scalability of client infrastructure.

For further information, please contact: Q9 Networks Kevin Spikes Director of Corporate Communications Q9 Networks Inc. Toronto: 416-365-7211 1-888-696-2266 kevin.spikes@Q9.com