Cable and Wireless Communications and IBM Announce Strategic Partnership
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N/A (September 02, 1998) – Cable & Wireless Communications today announced a strategic IT partnership with IBM, the largest of its kind between a major communications company & a leading IT services provider – 02 Sep 1998: year, 1.8 billion pound (US$3 billion) agreement, IBM will provide the support required by Cable & Wireless Communications to significantly improve business efficiency and service to customers.
The partnership will involve the transfer of 1,000 staff from Cable & Wireless Communications to IBM Global Services, and the creation by IBM of up to 400 new jobs. Cost efficiencies achieved by Cable & Wireless Communications from the partnership will be reinvested to improve business performance through superior IT delivery.
Cable & Wireless Communications will retain responsibility for IT strategy and systems security. The company will maintain a small in-house team responsible for IT strategy and managing the IBM relationship. Working in partnership with IBM, Cable & Wireless Communications will deliver “best in breed” IT solutions, sourced from a wide range of software providers. IBM’s Telecommunications Industry unit will also establish an
international customer support centre of competence for Integrated Customer Management Systems (ICMS) in the UK.
Graham Wallace, Chief Executive of Cable & Wireless Communications, said:
“This partnership brings significant benefits to us. It will enable us to deliver the IT systems necessary to provide high levels of business efficiency and customer service in a growing communications company. We will be able to do this much more quickly and effectively as a result of this partnership by harnessing the skills, experiences and global resources of IBM. “
Frank Kern, General Manager, Professional Services, IBM Global Services EMEA said:
“Cable & Wireless Communications has set ambitious but attainable targets for the development of its business. Given our capabilities, expertise and successful track record in the IT services environment and the global telecoms industry, we are well-placed to help Cable & Wireless Communications in the future. We look forward to a long and fruitful partnership.”
Notes to editors
Cable & Wireless Communications plc was created by the merger of Bell Cablemedia, Mercury Communications, NYNEX CableComms and Videotron. The company provides local, national and international voice and data telecommunications together with
multichannel television and Internet services. In addition, it is strategically positioned to offer new products such as interactive digital services and multimedia products as they become available.
IBM Global Services is the world’s largest information technology services provider, with 1997 revenues of approximately $26 billion. IBM’s fastest growing business segment has an unsurpassed breadth of capabilities, and more than 116,000 professionals helping customers of all sizes solve real business problems. The IBM global telecommunications and media industry business unit offers a wide rangeof solutions for telecommunications, cable TV, wireless, broadcasting, publishing, advertising, sports and entertainment industries as well as Internet service providers.
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Contact(s) information
Paula Smail
IBM UK
00 33 141885494.
Roy Payne
Cable and Wireless Communications
0171-674 5387
Andrew Goldman
IBM UK
0171-202 3744
Andrew_Goldman@uk.ibm.com
Martin Graham-Scott
Cable and Wireless Communications
0171-674 5354
Source: IBM