Siemens IT Solutions and Services
Siemens IT Solutions and Services, a 100% subsidiary of the German group, Siemens AG, is a major supplier of IT outsourcing solutions, firmly rooted in Europe, but with global horizons. With its profound knowledge of the industry and its understanding of the added value of innovation, the company enables its clients to transform their business processes in an ever-changing world. In Luxembourg, Siemens IT Solutions and Services consciously focuses on complex cases, usually with an international element.
Interview with Joaquim Carreira, Global Outsourcing Manager for Luxembourg
What exactly do you do at Siemens IT Solutions and Services? I
run the GO (Global Outsourcing) unit of Siemens IT Solutions and Services Finance in Luxembourg. We secure services and solutions associated with information technology for corporate clients on a “one-stop shopping” model for the entire length of the value chain.
The GO unit is engaged in the integration and deployment of infrastructures and applications in outsourcing, commonly referred to as “As a Service” (SAAS, PAAS,..). Our services enable us to improve our clients’ management of their IT costs, paying particular attention to quality, security and reliability.
What made you go to Telecom Luxembourg S.A.?
In the course of 2009, we realised that we needed to upgrade our server room to enable us to comply with the latest standards in terms of security and availability. Although we have all the necessary infrastructure within the group, PSF constraints oblige us to have a facility in Luxembourg. So we had 2 possible solutions: to invest in a new data centre in our own premises or to sublease a dedicated facility from a host. We took the second course and, as the result of a tendering process we have opted for the LuxConnect data centre in Bettembourg. It soon became clear that we would also need a Telecom partner to connect this new infrastructure to our base in Hamm. So we went through a second round of bids resulting in our selection of Telecom Luxembourg S.A..
What were your criteria for the choice of supplier?
Telecom Luxembourg S.A. impressed us with its excellent knowledge of the Telecommunications market, and in particular its awareness of the specific needs associated with the setting up of an outsourced data centre. Its advice and recommendations have been invaluable because for us, this is a first. The other suppliers we consulted had a more ambiguous relationship with us, seeing us more or less as competitors.
What has Telecom Luxembourg S.A. offered you?
In tangible terms, we have the benefit of a private data centre room to house our racks and servers as well as those of our clients. This facility is exclusively for our use and meets the PSF standards, which we need to work with financial sector. Telecom Luxembourg S.A. gives us an optical interconnection between this data centre and our offices in Hamm. This infrastructure is duplicated (2 communications channels), which guarantees its permanent availability. An internet connection, backed up by a Firewall service has also been established in the data centre.
How do you rate this collaboration?
The words which come to mind to describe our collaboration with Telecom Luxembourg S.A. are: transparency, confidence, flexibility and quality. We welcome the availability of the Commercial department and the Technical department at the same time. And all at an extremely competitive price.
By Catherine Moisy
