NTT Com Jointly Tests Cloud Platform
NTT Com實驗雲端運算平台

NTT Communications (NTT Com) announced today that it has begun jointly field-testing a network-based PC desktop environment on a cloud platform that NTT Com expects to launch within the current fiscal year ending next March. The test is planned to last until August.

The envisioned cloud platform is named Setten, the Japanese word for "contact point" or "interface."

A total of 15 organizations, including logistics companies, educational institutes, non-profit organizations and other global operators, are jointly testing the platform as an alternative to conventional PC-embedded desktop environments. The aim is to provide a globally accessible, network-based desktop environment for greater efficiency, convenience and system availability.

The platform will provide operating systems, storage and software-as-a-service (SaaS) applications, including AdventNet K.K.'s Zoho Writer, Zoho Sheet, Zoho Show, Zoho Mail and NTT Resonant's Business goo. The virtual desktop environment uses the Internet to provide access to office Web systems, email and file servers, with no loss in quality compared to real desktop environments. Productivity application software, Web mail and groupware are available as SaaS applications. Mashup applications combining multiple functions are also possible, such as editing and sending the files via different applications. Highly secure access to the platform is ensured with multifactor authentication technologies.

The field test will also confirm system operability, identify any difficulties and study candidate SaaS applications.

Cloud computing is the use of server-stored computing services provided via the Internet to access information and applications conventionally stored in a computer. Corporations have been eyeing such platforms as a way to introduce IT systems more easily and reduce system operating costs.

NTT Com will leverage its position as a trusted carrier to provide a cloud platform that encompasses everything from applications to networks, with a focus on high quality, high reliability and high added value. The Setten platform will be accessible from anywhere using a Web-enabled communication device.

NTT Com believes that Setten's launch later this fiscal year will spur the development of a market for cloud in Japan. Corporate customers are expected to use the platform to enhance the usage of their existing networks and resources, as well as to reduce new IT investments and operating costs. NTT Com's one-stop management of Setten's virtual environment will reduce the IT operational management burdens on the customer side. In addition, the platform will facilitate closer collaboration with business partners by providing mutual on-demand access to a common network environment.

Pending the successful completion of the field test, NTT Com intends to launch Setten under the company's "BizCITY" concept of secure enterprise services provided on a SaaS basis for global access anyplace, anytime. Starting with a selected range of services, the platform's scale will be gradually expanded by adding new cloud technologies currently being developed by NTT, such as Web-based operating systems, multifactor authentication and open source gateways, and related technologies from general developers. The plan includes the use of open interfaces for compatibility with a broad range of SaaS applications.

NTT Communications (NTT Com) 日本總部宣布開始實驗以網絡為基礎的桌上電腦雲端運算平台，預料實驗將進行至2009年8月。該雲端運算平台將稱作「Setten」，日文意思為「接觸點」或「介面」。

是次實驗目的在於為企業提供一個更有效率、更方便及實用率更高的運作平台。實驗計劃成功邀請15間日本大型企業參與，其中包括物流公司、教育團體、非牟利機構及國際級網絡供應商等，全方位體驗傳統桌上電腦以外的操作環境。

此平台將提供全面性的運作系統、儲存及一系列應用托管方案 (SaaS)，包括AdventNet K.K.'s Zoho Writer、Zoho Sheet、Zoho Show、Zoho Mail及NTT Resonant's Business goo等。透過互聯網連接公司網絡、電郵、文件及各伺服器，模擬桌上環境無異於真實桌上電腦平台，而各項生產力應用軟件、網上電郵、群組軟件、甚至集合多種功能如編輯、以不同程式遞送檔案的混搭應用程式 (Mashup Applications) 亦可透過應用托管方案進行。系統採用最尖端的多重識別技術 (Multifactor Authentication Technologies)，大大提高網絡連接之安全。實驗將確定雲端運算平台之執行性，同時識別各項洐生的技術問題及研究可發展之應用托管方案。

雲端運算是指以電腦儲存之基礎設施作為交付和使用模式，透過網絡以按需、輕易擴展的方式獲得所需服務。作為首屆一指的網絡供應商，NTT Com憑藉其傳統優勢研發嶄新的雲端運算科技，提供優質、可信賴及高效益的應用平台及網絡。用戶可隨時隨地透過任何互聯網通訊服務連繫「Setten」，作業方便快捷。

Setten於年底正式全面投入服務，NTT Com深信Setten將促進日本雲端運算的發展。企業希望透過此方案提升現時網絡資源之運用及減低將來資訊科技項目的投資及營運成本。NTT Com提供的一站式Setten虛擬化環境正切合上述需要，協助其客戶大大降低資訊科技成本的負擔。此外，透過共享的網絡平台及相互連接，方案更促進企業夥伴間的緊密合作及信賴。

在實驗圓滿結束之前，Setten將於NTT Com的「BizCITY」概念實行，屆時將提供一系列安全可靠、適用於企業的應用托管方案，用戶可隨時隨地連接網絡，NTT Com往後將逐漸增加新研發的雲端技術，如網絡運作系統、多重識別技術、開放原碼程式及其他有關技術，整個計劃將涵蓋多種開放式介面的應用托管方案。

關於 NTT Communications
NTT Communications致力為全球各地用戶提供多樣化的環球網絡、管理方案及資訊科技服務。該公司不僅以優質可靠的網絡安全、托管、語音、數據及 IP 服務享譽於世，其 IPv6 傳輸技術在業內更是首屈一指。NTT Communications在世界各地的基礎設施非常完善，擁有 Arcstara 環球專用網絡和與全球各大 ISP 相連的Tier 1 IP 骨幹網絡，覆蓋 150 多個國家；於亞洲、北美和歐洲更設有多個安全數據中心。NTT Communications為全球最大電信公司之一的Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) 旗下全資子公司，分別在東京、倫敦和紐約股票交易所上市。
詳情請瀏覽www.ntt.com/index-e.html

關於 NTT Com Asia Limited
NTT Com Asia Limited 於1999年在香港成立，是日本NTT Communications Corporation旗下全資附屬公司。作為NTT Communications於亞洲的主要支部，NTT Com Asia致力成為企業ICT方案之最佳伙伴以及通往大中華之通訊門戶，以協助環球企業開拓及管理其在香港及大中華區的業務。NTT Com Asia與集團旗下的全資附屬機構HKNet Company Ltd.及廣州分公司緊密合作，提供一級的環球網絡、互聯網服務、數據中心、托管及各項ICT綜合解決方案，
詳情請瀏覽 www.ntt.com.hk及www.hknet.com。