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Telegration Announces McLaren Health Care Deal With US Signal

CLAWSON -- Clawson-based Telegration Inc. said Friday that its client, Flint-based McLaren Health Care of Michigan, is rolling out a system-wide conversion of its information technology supporting both clinical and financial functions.

As part of the process, the sprawling health network is enhancing its integrated network capabilities through Grand Rapids-based US Signal, a leading provider of network infrastructure. McLaren Health Care operates more than 200 medical centers in Michigan and employs 17,400 health care professionals.

"McLaren is growing rapidly and wanted to partner with a service provider that could deliver a solution to support its current technology needs and provide products and services to support future network and infrastructure enhancements," said Brett Alexander, vice president of sales with US Signal.

US Signal's Virtual Ethernet Service (VES) will provide McLaren the following benefits:
•Reduce the amount of hardware needed at each McLaren location
•Improve disaster recovery, ensuring adequate back up and system support
•Provide better connectivity throughout the McLaren system, integrating all locations
•Support technologies such as VoIP and video
•Offer secured guest Internet access

The Virtual Ethernet Service enables long-haul Ethernet traffic to be transported across a Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) backbone, providing flexible bandwidth options to McLaren's Wide Area Network.

"Utilizing these services will enhance our connectivity and technological infrastructure while decreasing our hardware investments," said Vince Levi, enterprise network services manager of Anthelio Healthcare Solutions Inc., IT Partners for McLaren Health Care. "This plan fits perfectly with our growth strategy of better functions and investments."

Drew Stewart, a master agent at Telegration, a provider of integrated telecommunications solutions, introduced McLaren to US Signal.

"My job is to find the perfect telecommunications carrier for the customer," Stewart said. "McLaren needed more than just a carrier. As the strongest data provider with the best network operations center in the Midwest, US Signal was the right solution for McLaren's growth strategy."

The US Signal network, one of the largest in the Midwest, includes more than 12,000 miles of lit fiber connecting more than 150 on-off ramps, comprising major carrier hotel locations, Ethernet exchanges, incumbent telephone company central offices, and other lit buildings. The US Signal network spans the Midwest, covering Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Missouri, Ohio and Wisconsin.US Signal offers a full suite of data transport products built with dominant networking technologies, Ethernet, and Internet Protocol, to power mission critical business applications. To learn more about US Signal, visit www.ussignalcom.com.

Telegration reduces costs and improves efficiencies for over 27,000 businesses including Fortune 500 corporations, cities, government agencies, and other organizations while providing maximum flexibility, service guarantees and exceptional customer service. As a leading Master Agent, Telegration offers a complete range of local, long distance, and Internet services from the industry's leading providers including AT&T, US Signal, Global Crossing, TNCI, Level 3, TDS Metrocom, Paetec, CBeyond, Masergy, XO Communications and others. Telegration also provides its own private-branded long distance services for voice, video and data applications using the Verizon and TNCI networks. More at  www.telegration.com.

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