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IBM News
Vendor Voice
F5: telcos need allies for digital leap forward
In an interview with BTwatch, key figures from F5’s European operations discuss the application security service provider’s relationship with BT Group in the wake of securing a place on the telco’s streamlined list of 15 certified security partners. Richard Holben, the vendor’s BT Global Account Manager, and Ian Harris, ...
Partnerships & AlliancesT-Systems talks up mainframe business and IBM ties
New mainframe training programmes in place to replace old hands who will shortly retire. T-Sys has “thickest deal pipeline” in mainframe business since 2012.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Aurachain and Telekom Romania renew ties
Pair behind government furlough payments project. Remote working platforms added to enterprise package for COVID‑hit customers. Höttges: “hybrid office” viability bolstered.
- Suppliers & SCM
Vodafone moves business support functions to S/4HANA
Upgrade simplifies finance, human resources, and supply chain. Long‑time suppliers SAP, Accenture complete project in 18 months, after more than a year of preparation. Vodafone Germany opts for IBM’s help with SAP S/4HANA migration.
- Network & Infrastructure
Symantec absent as BT picks key security partners
Slimmed‑down list of partners expected to simplify the BT Security sales pitch while ensuring an effective and synchronised managed services wrap. Tenacious smaller vendors maintain a role in the ecosystem, but sector giant Check Point’s role modest, and well‑established ally Symantec off the radar.
- Network & Infrastructure
VfGr deploys Red Hat’s Quarkus to improve boot times
Rejig painted as giving Digital eXperience Layer a speed upgrade.
- Partnerships & Alliances
DT signs up to IBM’s blockchain buyer group
Trust Your Supplier consortium, launched in 2019, aims to ensure sellers are who they say they are.
- Analysis
Deutsche Telekomwatch roundup - May 2020
DTCP invest in SafeBreach and cash in on video conferencing software Blue Jeans; hub:raum co-led blockchain investment round in Ubirch. Tim Höttges rotates for Adel Al-Saleh on BT board. TMUS confirmed contracts with Bandwidth Inc, Avangrid Renewables, and AWS’ A2I solution.
- Suppliers & SCM
T-Mobile US talks up IBM integration at Think Digital
Data Analytics executive Eskigun flags supply chain optimisation driven by IBM Cloud Pak for Data. IBM uses virtual conference to launch new Cloud Pak and Watson capabilities.
- Partnerships & Alliances
Telefónica backs lobbyist drive for Huawei alternatives
New group effectively the political wing of operator‑led efforts to develop an open RAN ecosystem, with major integrated network vendors conspicuously absent. Nokia gatecrashes launch party.
- Enterprise (B2B)
Report shows battles ahead on BT government contracts
BT the clear leader in public sector communications, but Virgin Media proving an increasingly viable challenger. New contracts flowing through, but prospect of significant contract expiration by the end of 2020 flagged.
- Network & Infrastructure
BT inks outsourcing deal with IBM
Group outsources mainframe service management.
- Strategy & Change
Telefónica maintains its links as markets adapt
SME suppliers in Spain thrown an early lifeline as Group takes steps to keep supply chain moving. O2 Germany reopening stores and account switching restrictions are eased in Spain. O2 UK focuses on supporting health services, but engineers at risk as 5G conspiracy suspicions lead to vandalism and assaults. ...
- Products & Services
Vodafone Idea builds out Optiva charging system
Joint venture looks to be moving cautiously to cloud.
- Partnerships & Alliances
IBM and T-Sys shift to mainframe tie-up plan b
Streamlining of low-margin business lines continues. Focus of deal is on services support, as opposed to total outsourcing arrangement envisaged in blocked 2019 buyout.
- Enterprise (B2B)
Vodafone Germany goes live with S/4HANA (with a little help from IBM)
Goal of retail operation revamp. Warehouse/store logistics based on “real‑time data”. Reduction in SAP data footprint by 90%. IBM Services reportedly enables 50% faster migration to S/4HANA compared with traditional solutions.
- Suppliers & SCM
Vodafone Idea rallies the supplier troops
Mavenir, Nokia, Optiva, Red Hat, and TCS engaged via integration plan. CTO reasserts June 2020 deadline for accelerated programme.
- Innovation (R&D)
Vodafone Italy ropes up for vertical 5G
OpCo has been busy exploring 5G innovation and partnership possibilities.
- Innovation (R&D)
T-Labs hints at future tech moves with IBM Watson AI
Closer AI collaboration on cards between T‑Labs and Big Blue.
- People
Vodafone Group People Moves, October 2019
Latest people movements include: Durdana Achakzai, Ritesh Bhargava, Jon Buckthorpe, Louis DiCesari, Nitu Kaushal, Asif Meghani, Mark Rose, Ahu Tunc, Olatz Urroz.
- People
T-Systems People Moves, October 2019
Latest people movements include: Christian Andersen, Felipe Arrudi, Robin Euler, Andreas Reich, François Fleutiaux, Michael Böhm, Tanya Winters, Stephan Harsch, Holger Litzenburger, Stefan Züger.
- Suppliers & SCM
Vodafone Group joins IBM push to better manage suppliers
Vodafone part of IBM-led consortium to develop Trust Your Supplier blockchain network. Wilson envisions easier onboarding of smaller suppliers.
