The most recent articles from Infomatics

Multiple carriers curry favour

Infomatics Digest — 2000-11-27T24:00:00.000Z

Infomatics Digest, Infomatics, Monday 27 November 2000 at 00:00:00

The majority of IT directors believe that a virtual network of multiple carriers and infrastructures is more likely to deliver a good service than a single carrier.

The majority of IT directors believe that a virtual network of multiple carriers and infrastructures is more likely to deliver a good service than a single carrier.

The survey of 150 IT directors, by network services company Vanco, revealed that 70 per cent would rather use multiple carriers, with a flexible and adaptable network contract rated second only to speed of access data, in terms of key service areas.

The results suggest that customers want to take advantage of falling circuit prices in a deregulated market, by keeping themselves open to a number of suppliers. The option of using a single carrier with its own infrastructure was viewed as less efficient and more unreliable.

"As there is now so much choice in terms of technology, it's people skills, service levels and processes that count," said Allen Timpany, chief executive at Vanco. "The balance of power is shifting from telcos to the customer, and the only way to remain competitive is to add more value through service."

The survey shows increasing customer expectation in a market that has seen the collapse of infrastructure-led telecoms companies, including Iaxis and Oxygen.

Telecoms solutions fall short of needs

newmedia newmedia — 1999-07-24T23:00:00.000Z

newmedia newmedia, Infomatics, Saturday 24 July 1999 at 23:00:00

A big disparity between the solutions telecoms companies offer and those they consider important has emerged, according to research by Teligent.

The telephony and network services supplier says that while over 90 per cent of telecoms operators questioned, acknowledged the need for high investment in value-added services, operators are not able to meet market demand.

For example, while 'freephone' was ranked the most important service, less than 20 per cent of operators currently offer that service. Equally, unified messaging was regarded as the third most important service on offer, but less than 10 per cent of those questioned could deliver it.

Teligent managing director Adrian Foulkes (above) blamed the disparity on "the predominance of restrictive technology" and said investment in value-added services was falling short.

"As a result, customers are being denied next-generation solutions," Foulkes added.

BT swings into action with Tarzan

newmedia newmedia — 1999-07-24T23:00:00.000Z

newmedia newmedia, Infomatics, Saturday 24 July 1999 at 23:00:00

BT Highway performed an IT marketing and TV first last month when it provided a link to Tarzan on Channel 4's So Graham Norton show.

Thanks to a BT Highway 128k digital link, the Irish comedian was able to conduct a live transatlantic videophone interview with the American actor Miles O'Keeffe, who played Tarzan in the film of the same name opposite Bo Derek.