Microsoft and Siemens Business Services (SBS) Singapore today announced a strategic partnership to offer an integrated suite of enterprise-class solutions – Siemens Managed Mobile Device (MMD) – to companies in Asia that want to empower employees with access to real-time, business-critical information on mobile devices.
Today’s announcement establishes SBS as Microsoft’s first Mobility Partner in Asia. Under the terms of the agreement, SBS will offer secure and modular messaging solution that includes personalized user-specific software installation and centralized management and version comparison, helpdesk support as well as extensive, state-of-the-art restore facilities for the network infrastructure in addition to systems integration services for Microsoft Exchange and Windows Mobile based devices. Both companies will also jointly invest in sales and marketing activities for Siemens MMD.
“While we are seeing increasingly more organisations adopting a mobile workforce concept, their IT departments are looking for new ways and people to support these devices. Siemens Business Services has developed a fully-featured, highly customisable MMD solution that takes care of these challenges,” explained Pek Yew Chai, Managing Director, Siemens Business Services Singapore. “What we offer users are great advantages of not only data availability and security but also efficiency and clear manageable operation.
As a Microsoft Gold Partner, Siemens Business Services is well-versed in Microsoft products and has an outstanding consulting and implementation quality with regard to Microsoft technologies. Customers will be able to leverage the combined strengths and expertise of both companies to gain further value out of their existing investments, even as they consider migrating to the new versions of Exchange, Vista and Office, or Windows Mobile devices. By outsourcing the maintenance of the back-end network to SBS, companies can also expect lower operating costs.
"In recent years, more and more businesses are beginning to understand the power of mobilising their workforce. But harnessing this power means more than just having emails on-the-go; Microsoft and Siemens are focused on helping people connect to all the critical information sitting inside their business and to share it with colleagues," said Jason Lim, Regional Director, Asia Pacific and Japan, Mobile and Embedded Devices Division at Microsoft. "Our partnership will allow us to deliver the tools, technologies and platform that will help users communicate, collaborate and work effective no matter where they are."
Leading industry analyst firm IDC recently reported that the number of mobile enterprise email subscribers in Asia Pacific (excl. Japan) is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 38.2 per cent, from 0.74 million in 2006 to 2.72 million in 2010.1
Currently, Microsoft leads the market in enterprise e-mail and calendaring software with Microsoft Exchange. The combination of Windows Mobile with Exchange Server will provide a familiar environment, and will reduce the cost of training and support. As Windows Mobile-powered devices leverage the organisation’s existing infrastructure, IT departments only need to manage a single platform, and will not need to invest in additional hardware, middleware or IT administration. This delivers a powerful, yet cost-effective solution to companies.
"Businesses are looking for the smartest way to communicate and collaborate with their colleagues, partners and customers. As Asia becomes a hotbed for mobility and mobile innovations, our customers can look forward to services and solutions that will help them achieve cost-efficiencies quickly," concluded Lim.
1 IDC, Asia/Pacific (excluding Japan) Mobile Enterprise Email 2006-2010 Forecast and Analysis
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT") is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Siemens Business Services an internationally leading IT service provider. This Siemens Group offers services all along the entire value chain – from consulting to systems integration, right through to the management of IT infrastructures. Thanks to its
comprehensive know-how and sector-specific expertise, the company provides measurable added value for its customers. With regard to outsourcing, Siemens Business Services is among the top ten providers worldwide. With around 34,300 employees, the Group posted sales in fiscal 2006 (ending 30 September 2006) of EUR 5.2 billion, 75 percent of which was achieved outside the Siemens organization.For more information about Siemens Business Services Singapore, www.siemens.com.sg/sbs
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