NETWORKS

Innovative Internet2 NET+ service portfolio now available to Merit Members

Merit Network has launched its participation in the Internet2 NET+ Regional Partner Program.  Merit Members now have the opportunity to purchase a diverse suite of IT services from leading brands at best-in-class pricing.  Merit Network is the first Research and Education (R&E) Network to take part in the Internet2 NET+ Regional Partner Program.  

"I am proud to announce Merit Network's pioneering role in the Internet2 NET+ Regional Partner Program. Merit is grateful for the opportunity to help shape this innovative program as we continue to work with Internet2 to make a broad portfolio of cloud services available to our community at discounted rates. This is a significant undertaking for Merit, and it will deliver considerable benefits for our Members," said Don Welch, president and CEO, Merit Network.

Through the Internet2 NET+ Regional Partner Program, select Internet2 NET+ Services, which were previously only available at special pricing to Internet2 member institutions, are now available at discounts to Merit Members.  Eventually, these services will be available to members of other participating R&E networks.

The NET+ Services available through the Regional Partner Program support the teaching, learning, research and operational needs of Merit Members. The following services are available today for Merit Member educational institutions:

Box                        CrashPlan PROe        Fuzebox

These additional NET+ Internet2 services and targeted for future availability to Merit Members based on expressed interest include:

Splunk                    Duracloud                Office 365 Education

Eduroam                BlueJeans                Globus

NET+ Services leverage the economies of scale found in a national organization like Internet2 to deliver cost savings for participating organizations at the state and local level.  The NET+ Initiative strives to ensure that all NET+ Services are easily accessible and simple to administer.  This is secured through national partnerships with special business terms.  Services are turnkey ready, with pre-negotiated SLAs (service level agreements) that save participating institutions administrative time and resources.

"Merit has a long history of strong leadership in the regional community and is a great partner in the Internet2 NET+ program.  We are thrilled to support them as the first regional network in the nation to make available the catalog of Internet2 NET+ services to their region's colleges, schools, and other institutions," said Shelton Waggener, senior vice president, Internet2. "We look forward to working with Merit to see the NET+ service offerings customized for educational use by the nation's leading research universities benefiting Michigan organizations and other regional partners and campuses."

With NET+ Services, institutions benefit from connections throughout the education and non-profit community for more efficient, effective solutions. Internet2 NET+ Services are identified, evaluated and vetted by Internet2 member institutions.  Each service is backed by an advisory group made up of peer institutions that assist with service implementation, troubleshooting and provide ongoing support.    

Merit Members interested in purchasing services through the Internet2 NET+ Regional Partner Program should contact a member of the Merit Sales Team.  Send an email to sales@merit.edu or call 734-527-5785.