AT&T wins $5 million global networking contract from Brown-Forman Corp.

February 14, 2005; 07:13 AM

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - February 14, 2005 - (HostReview) - AT&T announced today it has won a three-year, $5 million networking contract from Brown-Forman Corp., a leading producer and marketer of spirits, wines and consumer durable goods.

Brown-Forman's brands include such well-known names as Jack Daniel's, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Canadian Mist, Fetzer and Bolla Wines, Korbel California Champagnes, Lenox, Dansk, and Gorham tableware and giftware and Hartmann Luggage. The contract extends and expands a long-standing relationship between the two companies.

Under terms of the agreement, AT&T will provide an Internet Protocol Virtual Private Network (IP VPN) integrating more than 20 Brown-Forman locations across the United States. The new infrastructure will mesh seamlessly with IP services AT&T provides Brown-Forman in Europe. 

"Brown-Forman has locations, products, manufacturing and distribution around the globe.  We needed a reliable and highly advanced global networking solution that can accommodate the geographic expanse of our business, support our day-to-day operations and prepare us for the future," said Paul Gross, chief information officer for Brown-Forman. 

The VPN solution gives Brown-Forman a fully managed network that delivers operating efficiencies in addition to capital cost avoidance.  It enables Brown-Forman to manage its vast global distribution network, monitor inventory around the globe and support its worldwide brand-building strategy. The solution also provides Brown-Forman employees secure high-speed online access to corporate databases and proprietary applications, including sales, marketing, manufacturing and supply-chain systems.

In addition, AT&T will provide hosting services for Brown-Forman's Lenox brands from its New Jersey Internet Data Center (IDC). AT&T owns and operates 26 IDCs around the world.

About AT&T
For more than 125 years, AT&T (NYSE "T") has been known for unparalleled quality and reliability in communications. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company is a global leader in local, long distance, Internet and transaction-based voice and data services.

About Brown-Forman
Brown-Forman Corporation is a diversified producer and marketer of fine quality consumer products, including Jack Daniel's, Canadian Mist, Southern Comfort, Finlandia Vodka, Fetzer and Bolla Wines, Korbel California Champagnes, Lenox, Dansk, and Gorham tableware and giftware, and Hartmann Luggage.