IBM strengthens Global Network with European satellite capability; Peugeot, Citroen select new service to link 4,200 European auto dealers.PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 19, 1995--IBM today announced a service that combines state-of-the-art satellite transmission technology with one of the world's largest commercial computer networks to deliver advanced data, voice and video capabilities to business customers across Europe. When fully deployed, the IBM (International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY, www.ibm.com) The world's largest computer company. IBM's product lines include the S/390 mainframes (zSeries), AS/400 midrange business systems (iSeries), RS/6000 workstations and servers (pSeries), Intel-based servers (xSeries) Global Network offering will be the largest and most function-rich VSAT (Very Small Aperture satellite Terminal) A small earth station for satellite transmission that handles up to 56 Kbits/sec of digital transmission. VSATs that handle the T1 data rate (up to 1.544 Mbits/sec) are called "TSATs. (very small aperture terminal (communications) Very Small Aperture Terminal - (VSAT) A kind of ground station used to contact a communications satellite such as INMARSAT. ) satellite communications network The transmission channels interconnecting all client and server stations as well as all supporting hardware and software. in Europe. The first customers to take advantage of the new, two-way VSAT service -- Paris-based carmakers Peugeot and Citroen -- will use it to communicate with 4,200 independent automobile dealers in 11 European countries. Dealers will use the VSAT system to order vehicles and manage parts inventories Noun 1. parts inventory - an inventory of replacement parts inventory, stock list - a detailed list of all the items in stock . The system's voice and video capabilities will ultimately allow Peugeot and Citroen to tie their European dealer network together with live video conferences and taped broadcasts for product announcements, sales meetings sales meeting n → reunión f de ventas and other activity. And because it is truly an "open" system, IBM's European VSAT network will accommodate users employing various types of personal computers and workstations, as well as diverse communications protocols. Peugeot and Citroen currently use ground-based networking technology to link 4,200 independent auto dealers in Austria, Belgium, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the United Kingdom. Migration from the terrestrial systems to IBM's new VSAT system -- which will be managed by Axone ax·on also ax·one n. The usually long process of a nerve fiber that generally conducts impulses away from the body of the nerve cell. [Greek ax , the distributor/operator of IBM Global Network services in France -- will begin in early 1996. Implementation should take about two years to complete. Following a nominal up-front investment in VSAT technology, the carmakers and their dealers will realize significant savings over ground-based alternatives in such areas as equipment maintenance, operations and systems management. Response time for routine data transactions will in most cases be two seconds or less, which is comparable to or faster than high-speed ground-based solutions. "This will simplify connection procedures and increase the number of exchanges between manufacturer and dealer, while actually reducing communication costs," said Jean-Serge Bertoncini, Director of Information Technology for Peugeot and Citroen. "We'll have a much closer relationship with our dealers." Bertoncini said the car-buying public will benefit from an improved exchange of information on product availability, streamline order processing, and more efficient delivery scheduling and maintenance management. Although satellite-based VSAT communication is popular in the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. and is a key component in other IBM Global Network customer solutions, it is relatively new to Europe, where telecommunications markets in more than a dozen countries are being deregulated. John M. Whiteside, general manager of the IBM Global Network, called today's announcement "another example of the evolution of IBM's network-centric computing strategy" -- its blueprint for enabling the receipt, use and sharing of applications and services across worldwide voice and data networks. "Our European VSAT offering adds another dimension to the broad range of network-centric solutions we're delivering to customers around the world," Whiteside said. "These solutions are strengthening the ties between business enterprises like Peugeot, Citroen and their thousands of independent dealers, and their customers are the ultimate beneficiaries." The IBM Global Network is one of the world's largest providers of integrated data, voice and video services, with more than 25,000 customers in some 100 countries. Its networking solutions include value-added telecommunication services, Internet access See how to access the Internet. and navigation services, subscription access to network-enabled application services See ASP and Web services. , and complete, end-to-end network outsourcing. CONTACT: IBM Global Network, White Plains N.Y. Ray Gorman, 914/684-4786 or IBM Global Network, Paris Brian Doyle
Brian J. Doyle (born April 7, 1950) was the deputy press secretary for the United States Department of Homeland Security. , 331-41-88-54-94 or Peugeot/Citroen, Paris Hughes Dufour, 331-40-66-53-81 |
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