IBM And Thomas & Betts Sign Agreement On Structured Cabling System Development
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La Gaude, France (September 15, 1998) – IBM and Thomas & Betts Corporation have agreed to jointly develop leading-edge structured cabling system products for IBM’s Advanced Connectivity System portfolio. The two companies will combine their research and development capabilities at the IBM facility in La Gaude, France. Thomas & Betts will manufacture the copper and fiber cabling system components at their production sites around the world.
According to industry analysts, network problems account for more than half of all IT environment issues reported. To help address IT environmental problems, IBM’s Advanced Connectivity System has been designed to distribute network cabling throughout a building providing for varying levels of user performance requirements, ease of management and investment protection.
“To service fully integrated buildings in today’s connected world, high performance networks as well as an understanding of both IT and building environments are critical,” said Didier Roche, Global Offering Executive, IBM Global Services. “This agreement combines IBM Global Services’ network integration and design experience with Thomas & Betts’ innovative product development and manufacturing expertise to deliver multivendor network solutions that work for customers.”
“The complementary skills and knowledge found within IBM and Thomas & Betts increases our ability to jointly develop and market cabling systems that address the global market’s requirements for future-proofed cabling infrastructure,” said Roy Burton, president of Thomas & Betts’ Electronic/OEM Group.
With 1997 revenues of approximately $26 billion, IBM Global Services is the world’s largest information technology services provider. IBM’s fastest growing business segment has an unsurpassed breadth of capabilities, and more than 116,000 professionals helping companies of all sizes solve real business problems and create new business opportunities. For more information on IBM Global Services, visit http://www.ibm.com/services.
Through IBM’s site and connectivity services full IT lifecycle portfolio, IBM Global Services helps customers design and manage their changing IT environment through facility construction and renovation, equipment relocation, design and installation of networks including IBM and OEM equipment, as well as power protection and environmental equipment. In addition, the portfolio includes a suite of capabilities addressing distributed and desktop environments including asset management, mobile and wireless, LAN management and kiosk integration solutions.
Thomas & Betts Structured Cabling Group is a leading supplier of ALL-LAN High Speed Connectivity Systems, OMNI System, Nevada Westernä, Epitomeä and Asterä discrete optical components. Their structured cabling products combine copper and fiber connectors, work area information outlets, cross-connect and interconnect devices, horizontal cable, cabling system accessories and wire management products.
Headquartered in Memphis, Tenn., Thomas & Betts Corporation is a leading producer of connectors and components for worldwide electrical and electronics markets, with 70 manufacturing and distribution facilities, including 16 located outside the United States. The company is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE:TNB). For more information visit http://www.tnb.com.
Source: IBM