Cable&Wireless Places Three Year Fibre Contract with Brand-Rex

Released: December 2009

One of the world’s leading international communications companies, Cable&Wireless Worldwide has awarded a new contract to Brand-Rex. Under the terms of the contract, Brand-Rex will supply Cable&Wireless with optical fibre in the UK and Ireland for the next three years.

During the past five years, Brand-Rex supplied fibre cable to the telecommunications operator, THUS. Last year, Cable&Wireless acquired THUS and took the decision to consolidate all its fibre requirements to ensure that the expanded business was able to benefit from the most competitive fibre cable supplier.

Roger Dashwood, Category Manager for Cable&Wireless Worldwide said, ““Brand-Rex was able to demonstrate an ability to support our demand from its UK manufactured and held stock and also to provide short manufacturing lead times. This gives us flexibility in our optical fibre supply and enables us to provide excellent levels of service delivery and support for our customers.”

Ian Wilkie, Business and Marketing Director for Brand-Rex, added: “We are very proud to have secured such a prestigious contract from a world leading player in the telecommunications market.  Our focus was to understand the specific needs of Cable&Wireless and its customers, which allowed us to propose a service model that we believed was best suited to meeting their business needs.”

“Our UK cable factory supplies copper and fibre communications cables to customers throughout the world and has been doing so for almost 40 years. As a UK based fibre cable manufacturer we can offer Cable&Wireless far shorter lead times than companies located in other countries. It means we can accommodate rush orders, and can switch output as the customer requires, even up to the very moment of manufacture.

“Such levels of service ultimately depend on the commitment and dedication of the whole Brand-Rex team, and as a result of that, we are proud to have won this important contract.”

To support this new contract, Brand-Rex has invested in new plant at its Glenrothes factory to expand the capabilities of this already impressive and modern facility.

All the fibre used within these cables meets Cable&Wireless’ Standards and Specifications necessary to deliver mission critical communications.

ABOUT CABLE AND WIRELESS

Cable and Wireless plc is one of the world’s leading international communications companies. It operates through two standalone business units – Worldwide and CWI.

The Worldwide business (formerly Europe, Asia & US) specialises in offering high quality communications services such as IP, data, voice and hosting to large enterprise, reseller and carrier customers. It operates globally, with core markets in UK, Asia and EMEA, and provides connectivity in 153 countries.

CWI is an owner and operator of leading regional telecoms businesses. Headquartered in London, it operates businesses through four regional operations the Caribbean, Panama, Macau and Monaco & Islands delivering world class service and efficiency. CWI is a full-service telecommunications provider offering mobile, broadband, and domestic and international fixed line services, as well as enterprise and managed service solutions.

For more information about Cable&Wireless, go to http://www.cw.com 

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com  

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New Siemon video shows how the latest IIM system increases network density, improves security and reduces power consumption

Released: December 2009

Siemon, the network infrastructure experts, have launched a short video to highlight how the company’s next-generation Intelligent Infrastructure Management (IIM) system, MapIT G2, addresses today’s most critical IT and network concerns: downtime, network security, density and power consumption.

The video serves both as an introduction to IIM systems and also shows the benefits that MapIT G2 can provide in network density and power consumption.

Using a live installation, Siemon’s technical sales support manger for IIM systems, Alberto Zucchinali, demonstrates how a combination of smart patch panels and cords, analysers and software delivers enhanced visibility of a network infrastructure. Delivering hierarchical views from cabinet to work area, to floor layouts including type and physical location of every device (e.g. PCs, servers, laptops, printers, etc) connected to the network, MapIT G2 provides IT managers with real-time network documentation and helps to maximise the utilisation of network assets.

Alberto goes on to show how MapIT G2 helps with network security. Any patching changes, removal and adding of devices in the network – whether authorised or unauthorised – will automatically trigger an e-mail alert to the IT manager. This ultimately leads to increased end-point security as well as reduced downtime, as system errors can be located instantaneously and be rectified within a matter of seconds.

Another key advantage demonstrated in the video is density. Compared to competing systems in the market, Siemon’s MapIT G2  provides up to 80 per cent higher density. A single MapIT G2 Master Control Panel can monitor up to 2880 patching ports – older systems use up 6U space to do the same. This advantage, in combination with reduced equipment depth, helps to free up critical space in the data centre.

“IIM systems can be viewed as complex”, comments Graeme Stoker, marketing manager at Siemon. “We believe that a live demonstration of the system in the form of a short minute video is the best way to fully convey the capabilities and the benefits this solution can bring to an organisation.  Seeing is believing”, he concludes.

Photos: can be found here:

http://fs.turtleconsulting.co.uk/PICS/TSC0359%20MapIT%20G2_sideview.jpg

http://fs.turtleconsulting.co.uk/PICS/TSC0359%20MapIT%20G2_rack.jpg

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

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Brand-Rex Ends Agreement with UK Distributor Mayflex

Released: December 2009

UK’s Leading Manufacturer of Structured Cabling Systems Reviews Partner Base as part of Growth Strategy

Following our unparalleled success in market share growth over recent years Brand-Rex, now recognised within the industry as the leading player in the UK market, has decided to end its distribution agreement with Mayflex.

This decision will not affect most Brand-Rex installation partners who will continue to source all of their needs through existing long established and highly supportive distribution partners.  Brand-Rex will continue to service its Value Added Resellers directly from its large UK logistics hub. 

This announcement to terminate the Mayflex agreement follows a strategic review of the Brand-Rex UK partner network as the company seeks to capitalise further on its success in growing its UK market share.  Brand-Rex Business & Marketing Director Ian Wilkie, said today “Brand-Rex has enjoyed a hugely successful two years in the UK, growing our market share during an extremely tough period in which many of our competitors have lost ground.

 “As we at Brand-Rex developed and reviewed our business growth strategy we highlighted the need for supportive partnerships that are motivated by mutual benefits. The relationship with Mayflex has changed during recent years and we now have different and sometimes conflicting objectives.  In view of this, we believe this relationship has reached a natural conclusion, allowing us both to move on and focus on our own business needs.” 

Wilkie explains that the company’s significant growth in market share to become the UK leading brand is the result of extraordinary levels of customer service, “Brand-Rex has placed Customer Service at the heart of its business strategy in recent years and we believe that, along with our other loyal distribution partners, we are able to offer a service unmatched by most in the industry.”

As part of its unrivalled customer service approach, Brand-Rex is already personally contacting every one of its customers formerly supplied through Mayflex and arranging meetings with them.  This will ensure that the most appropriate purchasing channel is identified to support them, ensuring total continuity of supply.  “Customers who source their Brand-Rex products through channels other than Mayflex will not be affected in any way,” says Wilkie, “they will continue to get the high quality of supply and service they expect from Brand-Rex.”

In explaining the decision to bring to an end the Mayflex relationship, Wilkie states “Mayflex has been an important partner to Brand-Rex for many years in the UK.  Likewise, the association with Brand-Rex allowed Mayflex to develop the successful structured cabling distribution business it has today.”

In concluding, Wilkie states,  “We believe this move will reassure our customers that Brand-Rex remains committed to a channel strategy that is dedicated to providing them with the highest level of service and support and where second-best simply isn’t an option.”

Brand-Rex is now the number one structured cabling supplier in the UK market and is in the top three in many other countries in Europe.

Photo: can be found here: http://fs.turtleconsulting.co.uk/PICS/BRX0273%20Mayflex%20cancelled_Ian_Wilkie.jpg

ABOUT BRAND-REX

Brand-Rex Ltd is a global operation, designing, developing and manufacturing the most sophisticated, high performance copper and fibre cabling systems for communications and extreme environment applications. Headquartered in Scotland, the company is committed to being a trusted market leading provider of best-in-class communication infrastructure solutions that are truly ‘future proof’. For more information visit www.brand-rex.com

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Siemon network cabling supports IBM’s Portable Modular Data Centre (PMDC)

Released: December 2009

Network infrastructure specialist Siemon announces that its products can be implemented within IBM’s Portable Modular Data Centre (PMDC), being displayed at the Gartner Data Center Conference in early December at Ceasar’s Palace in Las Vegas.  Siemon products include high-performance category 6A and 7A twisted pair copper cabling systems, MapIT G2 intelligent infrastructure management (IIM) as well as 10, 40 and 100-Gigabit-ready, plug and play fibre optic cabling systems.

IBM’s PMDC is a high-density containerised data centre solution that allows IBM clients to quickly and easily create or expand existing data centre floor space without major construction or building retrofit. Designed to be both compact and extremely energy-efficient, the PMDC approach can potentially reduce operating costs and carbon footprint.

To enhance rapid and efficient deployment, IBM’s PMDCs are delivered as pre designed modular units that can include power, cooling, fire detection and suppression, access control and more.  Designed to provide an open IT infrastructure, the PMDC containers offer complete, equipment-ready racks and cabling systems, supporting a wide array of equipment vendors, types, configurations and mounting styles. 

“In a global economy, many organisations are finding they require remote or mobile data centres for installation in a wide variety of locations around the world,” said Steve Sams, IBM vice president, Global Site and Facilities Services. “By working with Siemon to deliver innovative products, IBM has been able to provide clients with a flexible and efficient data centre solution, closer to clients, manufacturing sites and remote operations.”

As part of a supplier agreement between IBM and Siemon, PDMCs can be delivered with Siemon cabling already installed and ready to connect.   Based on IBM client requirements, these pre-installed cabling infrastructures may include any of Siemon’s high-performance cabling systems, including the IBM-branded FTS I-Line.  Launched globally as part of IBM’s Fiber Transport System (FTS), the IBM FTS I-Line is a specialised offering of high-performance plug and play pre-terminated fibre cabling, developed specifically under Siemon’s strict quality guidelines. Constructed of laser optimised multimode and singlemode fibre optic cable and components, the IBM FTS I-Line provides IBM’s global customers with future-proof support of critical data centre links including 10 Gb/s as well as future 40 and 100 Gb/s applications. Utilised within the PDMC, the IBM FTS I-Line offers a highly flexible and scalable cabling infrastructure, capable of supporting a wide range of vendor equipment configurations with simple plug and play implementation.

IBM’s PMDC may also be delivered with Siemon’s high-performance twisted pair copper cabling systems, including end-to-end shielded and UTP copper cabling ranging from category 5e to 10Gb/s category 6A, to the highest performing fully shielded category 7A TERA® system.   

Global access to Siemon’s comprehensive line of copper cabling systems allows IBM to ensure that its PMDC solutions are outfitted with a high quality, high performance cabling infrastructure to help maximise their clients’ return on investment and deliver best in class products to supports their clients’ requirements, anywhere in the world.

For more information on IBM’s PMDC solution visit: www.ibm.com  

To learn about Siemon’s comprehensive line of copper and fibre optic network cabling solutions, visit: www.siemon.com/uk .

Photo can be found here: http://fs.turtleconsulting.co.uk/PICS/TSC0384%20IBM.jpg

Notes to editors

About Siemon

Established in 1903, Siemon™ is an industry leader specialising in the manufacture and innovation of high quality, high-performance network cabling solutions. With global offices and partners throughout the world, Siemon offers the most comprehensive suite of copper (unshielded and shielded twisted-pair) and fibre cabling systems available and is one of only three network cabling infrastructure companies worldwide with true global partnership capabilities. With over 400 active patents specific to structured cabling, Siemon Labs invests heavily in R&D and development of industry standards, underlining the company’s long-term commitment to its customers and the industry.

www.siemon.com/uk

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