Bangkok--Oct 4--PC & Associates Consulting
Metro Systems Corporation Plc (MSC), IBM Thailand Co., Ltd., and Cisco Systems (Thailand) Ltd. have combined strengths in cutting-edge networking technology and professional services. To capture market share in networking arena, MSC has established the Network & Security Group (NSG), and spent Bt80 million upgrading its Metro Campus with Internet Protocol (IP) Communications technology.
Mr. Tavit Charuvajana, President & CEO, Metro Systems, said MSC has expanded into the networking market by setting up a new business unit called “Network & Security Group” (NSG). This business group will market cabling, switching and security products by leveraging its partnerships with IBM and Cisco. This ecosystem combines MSC’s expertise in application solutions, Cisco’s latest IP networking technologies and IBM’s networking design and support services. In addition, MSC will implement IP Communications solutions to improve its professional productivity and competitive advantages.
“Our investment and efforts in building an IP Communications infrastructure at Metro Campus is also an IPC Proof of Concept Center. Any organization is allowed to test and witness a demonstration of real-life applications on our infrastructure before making a decision on technology investment. Moreover we have allocated some IP Phones for our customers’ trial. This will enable our customers to apply technology efficiently and cost-effectively.”
Mr. Tavit added that with its move into the networking business, MSC has decided to spend over Bt80 million upgrading its infrastructure in Metro Campus to accommodate IP Communications. The upgrade includes replacing 4GB fiber-optic cables with 10GB cables, installing Cisco’s core switch, and installing about 800 units of the Cisco IP Phone 7970. MSC has developed customized applications based on IP telephony including:
1. Contact Directory Systems (i-CDS) for developing business contact database for employees, suppliers/vendors, customers
2. Order Tracking Systems (i-OTS) for order tracking throughout fulfillment process with data retrieved from logistic systems and a GPRS-based transport tracking system
3. Campaign Management Systems (i-CMS) for automatically notifying customers and potential customers about marketing campaigns through IP telephony.
Mr. Vorkon Patra-Yanan, Regional Managing Director Cisco Systems Indochina , , said “IP Communications is now a mainstream technology and organizations of all sizes and in all industries are adopting it for their voice requirements. However, as customers will be able to see from MSC’s deployment, IP Communications generates tremendous operational cost savings and increased productivity rates by integrating voice, video and data traffic over open standards-based IP. Cisco is excited to be working with MSC and IBM on this project which will help extend the reach of this revolutionary technology.”
MSC’s IP Communications deployment was also financed by Cisco Capital, a subsidiary of Cisco Systems. Working directly with Cisco Systems Thailand, Cisco Capital offers tailored and innovative, financial solutions for Cisco technology that enables organizations the flexibility of using revenue derived from enhanced network performance to pay for their equipment.
“The investment protection offered by Cisco Capital cemented Cisco’s relationship as our technology partner. The leasing program offered by Cisco Capital will enable MSC to continually upgrade to the latest technology and stay ahead of our competition,” said Mr. Tavit of MSC.
Mrs. Suphajee Suthumpun, Country General Manager, IBM Thailand said "The combination of Cisco’s comprehensive enterprise-class IP Communications solutions, MSC's application solutions expertise and IBM Global Services end-to-end IP Communications convergence expertise and methodology will provide businesses in Thailand access to world class capabilities to improve their business process, organizational & individual productivity through converged, collaborative and intelligent communications. IBM has over 1,400 Cisco-certified professionals available worldwide, including Thailand with proven expertise to supply, deliver and install a full-fledged IP-based communications systems that will enable businesses to have an integrated view of its customer information and enhance overall communications effectiveness with its customers. The revamped Metro Campus in Thailand is a strong showcase of IBM-Cisco-MSC collaboration for real business and also a state-of-art proof of concept center for organizations in our market who are interested to leverage the advantages of IP-based communications systems"
Under the strategic IP Communications collaboration, IBM Global Services offers end-to-end services - consulting, implementation and operational (managed) services In addition, IBM also integrates On Demand technology-enabled IT infrastructure into the IP Communications solutions; IBM Lotus Domino to unify communications, IBM Information Management Database software, Tivoli systems management and WebSphere for enterprise application integration.
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For more information, please contact: News Release issue by:
Suchitra Kovitwanichkanont. Utsanee Ua-ariyasup
Cisco Systems (Thailand) Ltd. PC & Associates Consulting Co., Ltd.
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Fax: 0 2253 8440 Fax: 0-2521 9030
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