In Brief – multiple articles – Statistical Data Included
* DMA ENSURES LEGAL CONTACT
The Direct Marketing Association UK has launched two enhancements to the Telephone and Fax Preference Services to help small businesses comply with the Telecommunications (Data Protection and Privacy) Regulations 1999. The services allow businesses that wish to sell or market their products and services by telephone or fax the opportunity to instantly check whether a number is registered with the relevant Preference Service and determine whether contact can legally be made or not.
* A NORWEB ANSWERS EMERGENCY CALL
Norweb has co-ordinated an emergency communications upgrade for the British Cattle Movement Service (BCMS). With the foot and mouth outbreak, calls have skyrocketed and their systems could not cope. Norweb doubled the capacity of the call centre in two days, a process it normally allows 28 days to complete.
* PROJECT TELECOM ACQUIRES HUTCHINSON
Project Telecom has acquired the UK Cellnet and Vodafone subscriber base of Hutchinson Cellular Services, a subsidiary of Orange. It acquired 55,000 network subscribers taking its total subscriber base to over 110,000. Both companies are to manage the transfer to ensure a seamless service to customers throughout.
* ERICSSON REDUCES COSTS AND WORKFORCE
Ericsson intends to reduce ongoing costs by at least 1.34bn [pounds sterling] annually, beginning in 2002 with the introduction of a comprehensive efficiency programme. Unfortunately, the effects hit close to home — mobile phone production will be terminated in Q3 2001 at plants in Carlton and Scunthorpe, with a loss of 1,200 jobs.
* FOUNDRY’S BIGIRON INSTALLED AT LINX
The London Internet Exchange (LINX) is deploying Foundry Networks’ Gigabit Ethernet backbone solutions. LINX, which handles over 90 per cent of the UK’s Internet data flow, is installing Foundry’s BigIron 15000 and 8000 switches.
* LIGHTSCAPE LAUNCHES OPTICAL SOLUTIONS
Lightscape Networks, part of the ECI Group, is launching as a provider of intelligent, next generation optical solutions. It will market its XDM optical networking solutions worldwide, maintaining ECI Telecom’s traditional strengths in Europe and Asia Pacific.
* CRITICAL PATH AND MoD JOIN TOGETHER
Critical Path is to work with Cap Gemini Ernst & Young to provide key technology elements for the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD) e-business service, the Defence Electronic Commerce Service (DECS). Cap Gemini Ernst & Young is implementing Critical Path’s Injoin Directory solutions and Inscribe Messaging Server within their Intelligent Infrastructure to develop DECS.
* INTEROUTE AND VIRTUE LAUNCH IP TV NETWORK
Virtue Broadcasting has become the exclusive provider of media-streaming services across Interoute’s i-21 network. The deal will enable Virtue to carry more channels of broadcast-quality video to more viewers in Europe.
* BRAND NEW POLICE COMMUNICATIONS.
Brand Communications will be working with Surrey Police on a mobile computing project, equipping patrol officers in the field with mobile data technology. The solution consists of the Apollo Emulator software for each officer’s portable PC and a 60 port Apollo Access Server as the communications hub between GSM and the police LAN.
* SMEs STRUGGLE TO STAY ONLINE
A survey by Primus has shown that 76 per cent of UK SMEs are disillusioned by the Government’s lack of support in helping them get online. It claims they are struggling to keep up with bigger competitors.
* PSION LAUNCHES GUIDE FOR IT TEAMS.
Psion has launched a guide to help companies manage a rollout of mobile devices. Having spoken to IT directors concerned about the integration of mobile devices and applications into office systems, it has produced guidelines on personnel, technical and security issues.
* MOBILE EXPLOITATION OF SMEs
An independent survey commissioned by RSL COM reveals that over half of UK small businesses believe that their mobile phone service provider is exploiting them. They are concerned that they are being kept on the wrong tariff and not being told of cheaper tariffs better suited to their needs.
* TECH SLOWDOWN PROMPTS JOB CUTS
The economic slowdown affecting the TMT sector is biting deep, prompting a raft of restructuring measures from telecoms companies aimed at streamlining operations and reducing international costs. Whilst manufacturer Motorola is reeling from dropping sales of handsets, Alcatel is fighting against a buildup in inventories. So far Motorola plans to cut 4,000 jobs from its networks unit with a further 7,000 cuts in its wireless handset division. Alcatel is halting production — for a week at a time — in two factories with a combined workforce of 1,500 people.
* LUXN LOWERS THE BAR FOR OPTICAL ACCESS
A new metro access solution will enable carriers to cost effectively offer very-high bandwidth access to their enterprise customers, claims developer LuxN. Launched at CeBit, the company’s WavSystem is a bandwidth and protocol independent optical access platform that supports data, video, storage and TDM traffic to the business.
* AVICI TEAMS UP WITH ORCHESTREAM
Avici Systems and Orchestream have teamed together to enable network operators to deploy and manage Avici’s scalable IP-over-optical core solution in combination with a range of supported third-party provider edge and customer edge routers.
* EYRETEL AND CISCO PARTNER
Eyretel has entered into a partnership with Cisco to deliver customer contact recording, monitoring and analysis solutions for VoIP. Their combined technologies will enable contact centres to use the same infrastructure to digitally process voice with data.
* SELECTICA’S NEW DEAL WITH SYNCORDIA
Selectica has signed a contract with BT Syncordia and completed its first deployment into the European telecoms sector. Its software will be used to automate end-to-end processes required to sell, price and configure BT Syncordia’s managed LAN portfolio.
* IFR SYSTEMS AND GENRAD SIGN MoU.
IFR Systems and Genrad have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) outlining their intent to co-operate on developing and marketing manufacturing test systems for wireless handsets. lines.
* TREATMENT FOR ROYAL SOCIETY OF MEDICINE
Scalable Networks is to install a Cisco-based Gigabit Ethernet network at the Royal Society of Medicine. Scalable will install a fibre backbone as well as reposition and replace the existing Cat 5 UTP cabling structure in its HQ building. Initially the work involves the replacement of existing shared hubs and 3Com core switch with Cisco 3500 series switches.
* MICROCARE LAUNCH SALES OPERATION
Microcare Systems has launched Microcare Business Sales (MBS), to supply the latest telephone systems, It should provide customers with expertise and consultancy for voice and data applications including the adoption of Least Cost Routing, ISDN and Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) services.
* TELECOM MEDIA USE MYNETONOMY
Netonomy and Telecom Media Networks, an industry practice of Cap Gemini Ernst & Young, have signed a global partnership agreement. It enables Telecom Media Networks to integrate the MyNetonomy applications into its e-care and e-commerce solutions.
* VIEWGATE SECURE VENTURE CAPITAL
ViewGate Networks has secured U$$20m in venture capital. Led by VC investor Advent Venture Partners with co-investment from Cazenove Private Equity and existing investors Amadeus Capital and MTI Partners. The funding is hoped, among over things, to further develop ViewGates Inteligo suite of software solutions.
* MULTITONE, DETEWE DECT DEVELOPMENT
Multitone and DeWeTe are to develop DECT-based PBX system solutions. Multitone will market DeTeWe’s OpenCom system under the Access 5000 product name and will further develop their advanced DECT cordless capability for the benefit of both companies.
* PACKETEER CONTROLS POLICE TRAFFIC
Packeteer’s reseller Channel One has supplied six PacketShaper 2500s to the Fife Constabulary. They enable mission-critical Citrix traffic to assume network priority and be relayed without bottleneck or delay to remote sites. They will be used to manage the bandwidth for the operation of its Citrix MetaFrame Client System.
* DIALOGIC/PARITY PARTNERSHIP
AMC has been appointed a Dialogic Co-marketing Partner and a Parity Software integration partner. Bringing together Dialogic’s CT hardware, Parity’s CT application toolkits and AMC’s range of 19in rackmount computers, will enable AMC to offer a one-stop-shop for a range computer telephony applications.
* NCIPHER SIGNS PARTNER IN IRELAND
LAN Communications has signed an agreement as an nCipher nAble reseller partner. It will offer nCipher’s complete line of hardware security and acceleration products including, nFast, nForce and nShield, along with KeySafe, a software GUI-based management system.
* IANYWHERE `ALWAYS AVAILABLE’ ACCESS
iAnywhere Solutions and PriceWaterHouseCoopers are to deliver mobile and wireless SAP solutions. This joint initiative is designed to help enterprises improve employee productivity, reduce administrative time and costs, and enhance customer service.
* CRAMER AND KPN ROLLOUT NEW SERVICE
Cramer Systems has won a contract from KPN Telecom to supply its Dimension product suite to enhance delivery of next generation IP services. KPN Telecom will use Dimension to assist in implementing an e-business project. It will develop a range of advanced IP-based services aimed at SMEs.
* EUROBIRD FLIES
Eutelsat’s EuroBird satellite has been successfully launched by Arianespace on board an Ariane 5 launch vehicle. Its coverage of the UK should make a contribution to the continued take-up of satellite delivered digital entertainment. Five million homes will be able to receive broadcast through a 45cm antenna. In Europe it will serve requirements for capacity across corporate networks and IP access.
COPYRIGHT 2001 DMG World Media Ltd.
COPYRIGHT 2004 Gale Group
