MANSFIELD, Mass., Nov. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Vanguard Managed Solutions (VanguardMS(TM)), the nation's largest independent provider of managed services, introduces Advanced Change Management, a new array of services to allow businesses to handle frequent network updates and configuration changes easier, faster, more accurately, and with greater assurance of regulatory compliance. Leveraging software from Voyence, the leading provider of configuration and change management software solutions, VanguardMS offers clients an efficient, cost effective, on-going managed service to ease the burden of complying with regulations such as PCI (Payment Card Industry) guidelines.

The three components of the service offer comprehensive levels of expert support from VanguardMS for achieving greater control over network configuration issues:

* Inventory Reporting: This service module provides detailed network inventory information (vendor, product model, serial number, operating software version and hardware interfaces); up-to-date inventory reports via a customer-accessible web portal; and backup device configurations, which are safely stored at the VanguardMS Network Operations Center (NOC) and available for subsequent configuration restores if required. * Configuration & Change Management: A second service module involves VanguardMS network experts utilizing advanced tools -- such as VoyenceControl NG, an automated tool for managing the lifecycle of network infrastructures -- to initiate customer-requested changes (including complex and routine updates and software upgrades); verify and validate all affected devices, post-update; and conduct configuration restoral if needed. The configuration change reporting function provides an audit trail record of whether changes were made, whether or not these were approved, and specifically who made the change. * Compliance Management: With the last service module, customers gain additional support that includes an initial network configuration assessment, referencing industry and vendor best practices. An active, continual verification of compliance is also a central element of this service, using documented policies and, in the event of a mismatch, automated corrective configuration changes and customer notification. In addition, compliance reporting functions include high level reports indicating devices in compliance or violation, and detailed data on those in violation.

"While network configuration services have been around for a while, there is a growing need for more sophisticated offerings as companies continue moving toward broadband solutions that utilize the public infrastructure," says Josh Levine, president of Vanguard Managed Solutions. "The pressures of this more dynamic Internet environment, where more updates and patches are required, added to the growing trend toward greater regulatory compliance, make the need to track, manage and control the network configuration process more critical than ever."

Pricing and availability

The Advanced Change Management suite of services is available now and packaged together with pricing on a per device basis. The recurring monthly fee includes unlimited routine changes enabling customers to budget for changes vs. a pay-as-you-go model. Special pricing is available for customers bundling this service with other managed services.

About Vanguard Managed Solutions

Headquartered in Mansfield, Mass., Vanguard Managed Solutions (VanguardMS(TM)) is the largest managed services provider in the US not affiliated with a carrier or product manufacturer. By offering managed services at a cost-effective monthly subscription fee, its clients achieve networks that are safe, reliable, and efficient, without making a huge investment in IT support staff and tools. VanguardMS offers a diverse portfolio of premier managed services with the ability to customize based on clients business requirements. The company is ISO 9001:2000 registered.

VanguardMS is owned by Platinum Equity, a global organization specializing in the merger, acquisition and operation of companies in a broad range of business markets, including Information technology, software and telecommunications. To date, the firm has acquired more than 60 businesses with more than $13 billion in aggregate annual revenue.

Contacts: Karen Ayotte Francine Carb Vanguard Managed Solutions Markitects 508-261-5070 610-687-2200, x301 karenayotte@vanguardms.comfcarb@markitects.com

CONTACT: Karen Ayotte of Vanguard Managed Solutions, +1-508-261-5070,
karenayotte@vanguardms.com; or Francine Carb of Markitects, for Vanguard
Managed Solutions, +1-610-687-2200, ext. 301, fcarb@markitects.com

Web site: http://www.vanguardms.com/