Southwestern University Renews ResNet Contract with Apogee

AUSTIN (May 15, 2004) - Apogee, a technology company and Internet Service Provider that specializes in providing managed residential network services and support to meet the evolving needs of higher education, announced today that Southwestern University has signed a multi-year contract for Apogee to manage its ResNet. The contract is a renewal of a previous contract Apogee had with the private 4-year liberal arts college.

"This is the real-world validation of the benefits of outsourcing ResNet" said Chuck Brady, Apogee?s CEO. "When Southwestern signed its first contract with Apogee a year ago, it experienced some immediate benefits including an upgraded network and greatly increased bandwidth to the overall network. Of course, Apogee also embraced the responsibility of managing the ResNet and all the headaches that can come with it."

Southwestern CIO Bob Paver said that Apogee "created a customized solution for Southwestern that will allow the university to continue to re-direct IT resources to initiatives that are part of the core mission of the university."

As part of the contract, Apogee will continue to provide Southwestern students with a baseline service, already included in the university residence hall?s fees. That service will provide for LAN-speed access to academic resources on campus. Apogee will also offer low-cost upgraded services to students.

"The fact that students appreciated Apogee services reinforced our decision to renew with the company," added Paver. "The students and their parents like the option of being able to pay for a higher service level if robust access to the Internet will enhance the students? educational pursuits."

Last summer, Apogee announced that it had signed a contract with Ithaca College, which, beginning this fall, calls for Apogee to manage its ResNet.