Infonet and T-Systems to Build Europcar's Network in Europe
Exclusive 5-Year Agreement Provides Central Point of Contact for 1,300 Car Rental Stations Across 7 Countries
ST QUENTIN-EN-YVELINES, France & EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--Feb. 14, 2002--Infonet Services Corporation , a leading provider of global communications services for multinationals, today announced that in a joint effort with T-Systems, Europe's No. 2 systems house, it will deliver a multi-service-network to Europcar, the largest international car rental company of European origin.
The five-year contract, that has been awarded to T-Systems, will involve the connection of 1,300 car rental stations to the Europcar Central Computer Center located in Villepinte, France. Infonet's French office (Infonet France) will be responsible for deploying a major part of the central backbone, part of the Internet access and communications to the rental stations in Europcar's business locations in selected countries.
In an extensive program, Europcar is migrating its in-country networks to an integrated global communication framework to support its new IP-based car rental management system, accessed by Europcar's employees worldwide. In addition, Europcar's comprehensive communication system is connected to all major Global Distribution Systems (GDS), providing travel agents and airlines with seamless access to reservations.
After a comprehensive review of several potential suppliers, Europcar selected the combined capacities of Infonet and T-Systems to provide a range of network services on a pan-European basis, allowing for increased security and regional support. Europcar relies on the flexibility and technical competence of complementary service providers and their ability to bring together Europcar's local offices to migrate from the existing suppliers to T-Systems and Infonet services, without interrupting day-to-day operations.
``Infonet and T-Systems' strong technical team and commitment to local support ensure a seamless migration for us,'' commented Pierre Masai, CIO at Europcar Headquarters in St Quentin-en-Yvelines, France. ``T-Systems coverage in France, Germany, Belgium, and the UK along with Infonet's strong in-country network solutions and strategic partnerships with key providers in the region were key factors in our decision to partner with both companies.''
``We are very pleased to have been chosen by Europcar to provide them with a scalable enterprise-wide network that addresses their business objectives. We look forward to fulfilling Europcar's network requirements as the company continues to grow its presence in the global arena,'' concluded Alain Morgant, General Manager of Infonet France.
About T-Systems
T-Systems is Europe's No. 2 systems house, with some 40,000 employees and annual revenues of approximately euro 11 billion. Deutsche Telekom has identified solution providing as one of its four strategic growth areas alongside mobile telephony, Internet communications and network access. The new company is the first to combine global capabilities in information technology (IT) and telecommunications. T-Systems draws its strength in IT from the former debis IT Services -- and its strength in telecommunications from Deutsche Telekom. T-Systems was officially launched on the German market in February 2001, and is represented in more than 20 countries.
Further information on the company and its service offering is available online at http://www.t-systems.com.
About Europcar
Founded in 1949, Europcar, a subsidiary of Volkswagen AG, is the largest international car rental company of European origin. In order to meet its customers' car rental needs worldwide, Europcar has a network of more than 2600 stations in 118 countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Mexico, Central America, The Caribbean, the Indian Ocean-Asia-Pacific zone and Australia.
About Infonet
Infonet Services Corporation is a leading provider of value-added global communications services to over 2,600 multinational clients. Infonet provides innovative network-based solutions customized to best support the business needs of our clients.
Employing a unique consultative approach, Infonet offers integrated solutions that leverage our expertise in optimizing the complex relationship between enterprise applications and the global network. Our extensive project management capabilities are the foundation for the services that comprise our solution offerings (broadband, Internet, intranet, multimedia, remote and local access, provisioning, application and consulting services) positioning Infonet as the ideal single-source partner for multinationals.
Recently rated ``Best in Class'' overall in Telemark's latest survey of Global Managed Data Network Services, Infonet has also won ``Best Customer Care'' and ``Best Carrier'' at the World Communication Awards. Infonet owns and operates The World Network®, accessible from more than 180 countries, and provides local service support in nearly 70 countries and territories.
Founded in 1970, Infonet's stock is traded on the New York and Frankfurt Stock Exchanges under the symbol IN. Additional information about the company is available at www.infonet.com.