Hatch Works With AT&T to Deliver Enhanced Global Network Infrastructure to Support Its Worldwide Operations

TORONTO, Feb. 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- AT&T* today announced that Hatch Ltd., a Canadian-headquartered, award-winning project delivery organization for the mining, metallurgical, energy and infrastructure industries, has selected AT&T to offer solutions to its global communications requirements in a three-year global agreement.  

By working with AT&T, a best-in-class global supplier, Hatch aims to make better use of its information technology assets, improve the quality of its services and increase its competitive advantage by bringing more than 65 different offices onto AT&T's network. Hatch designs and builds some of the world's largest and most complex projects in mining and metals, energy and infrastructure on six continents. To work in these areas, the company's engineers need to access a host of engineering software and design applications. Without access to the proper tools and information, Hatch would not be able to deliver successful project outcomes that their clients expect.

"Given that our offices and sites are located around the world, we need integrated networking solutions to connect with one another more effectively, and grow our operations globally," says Glenn Sakaki, Managing Director, Execution Technologies, Hatch. "The AT&T network gives us the flexibility to establish network connectivity in remote sites or make on-the-fly changes to existing sites. It is providing us with a platform to improve our productivity and efficiency in a competitive market."

AT&T is providing a comprehensive portfolio of networking, hosting, teleconferencing and voice service solutions. For example, Hatch is using AT&T's managed virtual private network (VPN) service that allows the company to connect each of its global and project offices via AT&T's global network backbone. The VPN, in conjunction with AT&T hosting services, provides staff with secure access to mission-critical applications, regardless of their location or time zone. Other applications provided by AT&T include its Global Managed Internet Service and Network-based IP VPN remote access. These offerings give Hatch the foundation to deploy scalable, resilient, and secure transformation applications, improve intercompany collaboration, and support Hatch's 8,000 employees in offices around the world.

"We are thrilled to announce this new agreement with Hatch and provide the company with our best-in-class product offerings and networking solutions," added Aisha Umar, Sales Centre Vice President of AT&T in Canada. "With the support of AT&T, Hatch will have access to an optimized network structure and the opportunity to concentrate more strongly on its core business processes. Our solutions provide Hatch with improved network capability, flexible services and a globally consistent platform that supports the company's worldwide operations and development."

When operating internationally, companies like Hatch are typically forced to deal with a number of telecommunications companies in each region. Differences in language, currencies and levels of network sophistication can make the process complicated and time consuming. AT&T helps Hatch avoid these challenges by providing a Canadian-based account team that manages all the requirements of Hatch's global network.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

About Hatch

Hatch is an employee-owned multidiscipline firm that provides custom process design, business strategies, technologies, and project and construction management from 65 offices around the world for clients in the Metals, Infrastructure, and Energy market sectors. Programs and projects under management by Hatch have an aggregate value of US$35 billion.

Hatch was recently named one of the 50 Best-Managed Companies in Canada, and has won more than 30 project-excellence and safety awards. The Project Management Institute recently presented the prestigious PMI International Project of the Year Award to Hatch.

About AT&T

AT&T Inc. (NYSE: T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates – AT&T operating companies – are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest mobile broadband network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verse® and AT&T | DIRECTV brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine. 

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SOURCE AT&T Inc.