Cooper Tire & Rubber Company Selects Infonet For Global Network Services
LONDON & EL SEGUNDO, Calif.--March 12, 2002--Infonet Services Corporation (FSE:IN), a leading provider of global communications for multinationals, today announced it has been selected by Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, an automotive products manufacturer, to optimise performance of its mission-critical software applications by customising The World Network from Infonet to meet the company's networking and expansion requirements.
Headquartered in Findlay, Ohio, Cooper found after a series of acquisitions that its existing structure did not provide the comprehensive support required to manage a network that had grown to 55 locations in 13 countries. To effectively address performance objectives, Cooper wanted one centralised network provider to manage its networking processes outside the United States and meet the demands of today's highly distributed network applications. To ensure a streamlined global business operation, reliable connectivity to support all internal business systems, including legacy applications, was also a critical performance objective.
After a competitive review of several vendors, Cooper selected Infonet and its Application-Defined Networking methodology to prioritise all its system applications across a single, managed global network, thereby replacing existing managed and unmanaged frame relay network service and point-to-point leased lines. Infonet's global in-country support and performance record proved to be key factors in the vendor selection process.
"Cooper is always evaluating its position for ways to improve performance, lower costs, or otherwise provide improved operations in support of its business processes to remain competitive. Solutions by several providers were considered, but Infonet's global presence, its ability to provide in-country support, and its willingness to work with Cooper's other major supplier, Qwest, demonstrated its flexibility and commitment necessary for customer success," said Loren W. Wagner, Manager Network Services, Cooper Tire & Rubber Company. "Thanks to the solution Infonet has provided, we expect strong performance benefits to all key areas within the organisation," concluded Wagner.
As a result of deployment engagements performed, Cooper's new consolidated pan-European network provides a stronger working infrastructure, accentuated by sustainable growth and high customer supports levels, between Cooper's carriers and its major suppliers.
Not only is Infonet able to provide flexibility in providing managed solutions, but it also provides reliable 24 x 7 global application support for Cooper's business critical network. These service conditions support current and future company-wide, mission-critical applications such as J.D. Edwards, PeopleSoft, email, and intranet-based services.
"Better application performance leads to increased productivity and internal customer satisfaction. The improved network management helps Cooper better utilise internal resources," said Bill Brogdon, Infonet's EMEA Regional Vice President. "Infonet has 30 years experience in the global network market, enabling us to provide appropriate and reliable solutions. We offer managed multi-service solutions with minimal delay, time critical prioritisation and split path application prioritisation across the network, and welcome the opportunity to address the connectivity requirements of Cooper."
About Cooper
Cooper Tire & Rubber Company is headquartered in Findlay, Ohio and specialises in the manufacture and marketing of automotive products. Products for Cooper Tire include automotive, motorcycle and truck tyres, inner tubes, tread rubber and equipment. Cooper-Standard Automotive is an original equipment supplier of sealing, trim, NVH control systems and fluid handling systems for the automotive industry in North America, Europe, Australia and South America. Cooper has more than 20,000 employees and 55 manufacturing facilities in 13 countries. For more information, visit the Company's web site at: www.coopertire.com.
About Infonet
Infonet Services Corporation, known for its quality of service, is a leading provider of value-added global communications services to over 2,600 multinational clients.
Employing a unique consultative approach, Infonet offers integrated solutions optimising the complex relationship between enterprise applications and the global network. Extensive project management capabilities are the foundation for the services and 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.
Rated "Best in Class" overall in Telemark's 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(R), accessible from more than 180 countries, and provides local service support in over 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.
Safe Harbor Statement: Infonet may have made forward-looking statements in this release. These statements, if any, are based on information available to the company as of the date of this release and Infonet undertakes no duty to update the information to take account of later events. The accuracy of our forward-looking statements will also be affected by the strength of the market for Infonet products and services, competition, the timely transitioning of new business opportunities to Infonet's network and the effect of currency fluctuation. Investors should bear these risk factors in mind as well as those elaborated on in Infonet's 10K, 10-Qs and other recent filings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. These documents are available through the investor relations portion of Infonet's web site at www.infonet.com.