Accenture, AT&T push messaging for agencies

Accenture and AT&T are teaming on a managed messaging solution for federal agencies and midsize businesses. The new offering, Enterprise Messaging Service, is designed to reduce the total cost of ownership for e-mail and other messaging platforms.

The joint offering includes hosted messaging services based on the Microsoft Corp. Exchange Server platform and provides a foundation for optional capabilities such as secure instant messaging. AT&T and Accenture jointly manage the services for customers.

"Accenture is highly experienced in the delivery of messaging solutions, having recently completed its own conversion of mailboxes," said Bill Gourgey, a partner in Accenture's Communications and High Tech operating group, in a written statement. "AT&T is one of the largest managed service providers in the world, offering one of the highest levels of security for hosted applications."