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Alliance Connect: introducing the new network connectivity products

Increased flexibility and lower prices, available as of 1 April 2009

SWIFT launches new network connectivity products. By introducing a more modern internet channel and phasing out the obsolete Dial technology, we are able to provide the community with network products that address the different connectivity needs of our customers. There are three Alliance Connect products. Each product has been designed for a specific target segment based on your volume of messages. 

The Alliance Connect network connectivity products offer a secure, permanent connection to SWIFTNet through the public Internet or the secure managed network of a SWIFT Network Partner:

1. Alliance Connect Bronze is the product for low volume customers. This provides a low cost, permanent connectivity to SWIFTNet through one or two Internet connections. Customers can even re-use their existing internet infrastructure to connect to SWIFT. It replaces the Dial-up connectivity pack. The Alliance Kits featuring all the components necessary to connect to SWIFT include Alliance Connect Bronze as the network connectivity product.
   
2. Alliance Connect Silver is the product for medium volume customers. This product offers connectivity to SWIFTNet through an access line, managed by a SWIFT Network Partner, as a primary link and a cost effective Internet connection as a back-up channel. It replaces the Dual-I connectivity pack.
   
3. Alliance Connect Gold is the product for high volume customers. It provides connectivity to SWIFTNet through two access lines managed by one or two SWIFT Network Partners. It offers a new traffic segregation feature based on traffic type that allows using both access lines in parallel. Alliance Connect Gold replaces the Dual-P connectivity pack.

The new products come with brand new VPN boxes. The VPN boxes create the secure channel between customer premises and SWIFTNet. They deliver the strongest security based on the latest VPN technology. In all three products, SWIFT always provides a resilient setup with advanced fall-over capabilities.

Lower prices

We took the opportunity to lower the pricing where possible for the new products. For our low volume customers the Alliance Connect Bronze is at least 30% cheaper compared to existing Dial-up connections. Alliance Connect Silver developed for our medium volume customers has also become cheaper compared to the current Dual-I, as SWIFT does not charge for the back-up fees anymore.  

Easy ordering, delivery and installation

In order to provide our customers with more flexibility and to lower the implementation costs linked to the network connectivity, we have developed a ‘Do it yourself’ installation possibility. Through the simplified setup of the VPN boxes and the easy to use manual provided with the products, customers can connect the VPN boxes themselves to the infrastructure of the Network Partner or Internet Service Provider. To further simplify the ordering process and offer customers the best price, we will manage the distribution model of the VPN boxes for all Alliance Connect products. We will manage the stock, the pre-configuration, the shipment and the maintenance of the boxes. No separate contract with Network Partners is necessary.

Optionally installation can still be done by a Network Partner or another certified SWIFT partner.

By introducing this new distribution model and the ‘Do it yourself’ option, SWIFT further simplifies the way to connect to SWIFT while at the same time lowering the implementation cost.

For our existing customers

Over time the current products will disappear and all existing customers will be upgraded towards the new Alliance Connect products. In order to facilitate the upgrade process SWIFT will, on top of the price reduction for the new Alliance Connect products, subsidise the VPN boxes. The subsidisation will materialize as a one-time discount equivalent to the value of two VPN boxes including shipment.

Existing customers who want to upgrade as soon as possible have the possibility to do this as of April. Customers need to order a new Alliance Connect product, which will be placed in parallel to the old configuration. When the customer is ready, traffic can be switched to the new Alliance Connect product and the old connectivity pack dismantled.

As of September, we will have a more automated approach. This will offer easy to use upgrade forms, more flexibility and cost effective upgrade possibilities all in function of the needs of the customer.

More information on the upgrade scenarios will be made available shortly.