Liz Claiborne Inc. Picks AT&T for Network Upgrade and Managed Network Services

NEW YORK, April 1 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Liz Claiborne Inc. (NYSE: LIZ), the designer and marketer of a global portfolio of retail-based premium fashion brands and department store brands, has selected AT&T* (NYSE: T) to update its internal network infrastructure and manage its network services.

Under a new contract with AT&T, Liz Claiborne Inc. will retain AT&T to provide ongoing management of all network services, along with wireless and wireline services. In addition, AT&T will upgrade the Liz Claiborne Inc. network to support effective communications and collaboration across the company's multiple brands and divisions.

With the goal of reducing the load on Liz Claiborne Inc.'s internal IT operations, AT&T will provide 24/7 monitoring and maintenance of the network, along with complete implementation and lifecycle management. As part of the transition process, Liz Claiborne Inc. will also upgrade its aging network infrastructure to include next-generation technologies, such as state-of-the-art voice and data services. Liz Claiborne Inc. will use these technologies to facilitate communications between headquarters, warehouses, distribution centers and other divisions within various retail brands like Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand Jeans and Kate Spade.

"As our business continues to evolve and grow, we realized we were placing increased pressure on our IT operations and needed to streamline our network solutions for the most efficient processes," said Wayne Dabney, VP of Information Technology of Liz Claiborne Inc. "Along with upgrading our network technology, AT&T's management of our network will help support optimal functionality across our many divisions and brands."

Liz Claiborne will also continue to use AT&T's wireless and wireline services, including AT&T Teleconferencing and Virtual Private Network (VPN) solutions, to help facilitate efficient communications throughout the organization.

IT investments that increase productivity and reduce costs are essential for large companies such as Liz Claiborne Inc. According to AT&T "Road to Growth" study(1) of CIOs and senior IT executives of multinational companies in the U.S. and Europe, U.S. companies are under increasing pressure to deliver on IT investments and projects. IT investments and priorities continue to go towards lowering cost, reducing risks and improving productivity and efficiency.

*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 Liz Claiborne Inc.

Liz Claiborne Inc. designs and markets a global portfolio of retail-based premium brands including Kate Spade, Juicy Couture, Lucky Brand and Mexx. The Company also has a refined group of department store-based brands with strong consumer franchises including the Liz Claiborne and Monet families of brands, Kensie, Kensiegirl, Mac & Jac, and the licensed DKNY Jeans Group. For more information visit www.lizclaiborneinc.com.

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 3G 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(SM) and AT&T |DIRECTV(SM) 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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(1) AT&T Road to Growth Study, August 12, 2009. For more information, please visit http://www.att.com/roadtogrowth

SOURCE AT&T Inc.