Schneider acquires UniFlair to boost data centre market share

Schneider Electric has acquired UniFlair to boost its data centre market share globally.

The recent signing of an agreement between the two for the acquisition of Uniflair S.p.A., officials said is to reinforce Schneider’s position in precision cooling market and primarily for data centres and telecommunications applications.

According to the Executive Vice President of Schneider Electric’s Information Technology (IT) business, Mr. Laurent Vernerey, Uniflair S.p.A. is strong in Europe and has a good presence in new economies, particularly in China and India.

“It employs approximately 500 people on a global basis and has manufacturing facilities in Italy, India and China,” he said.

He summarized what Uniflair S.p.A. brings to Schneider Electric to include a complete product portfolio complementary to Schneider Electric’s in-row cooling technologies and its recently announced EcoBreeze, an innovative free air cooling solution for data centres;

Also, he said, the relationship would see a leadership position in Europe for data centre cooling; and proven design and engineering capabilities as well as strong “build to order” competencies for mission critical applications, which further reinforce Schneider Electric’s ability to deliver energy efficient solutions to data centre customers.

With this acquisition, Laurent said, Schneider Electric would broaden its product portfolio and be in a position to offer customers a complete range of cooling products and solutions.

“It will also reinforce its regional capabilities, global research and development as well as mechanical cooling expertise,” he said.

Laurent pointed out that this acquisition is a continuation of investment and commitment to innovation in IT cooling by Schneider, while expanding its regional capabilities and strengthening its position worldwide.

“Uniflair’s global reach and extensive product portfolio is a valuable addition to our IT cooling offer and consistent with our strategy to provide complete solutions,” he said.

For the president and managing director, Uniflair S.p.A, Mr. Francesco Bettella, together with Schneider Electric, they would be able to further global expansion efforts.

“The combination of our complementary product offering helps transform us into a provider of comprehensive data centre cooling solutions,” he said.

This acquisition is expected to be accretive on earnings per share from year one and to meet Schneider Electric’s Return on Capital Employed criteria.

Remmy Nweke
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ALTON seeks incentive for ailing operators

A case has been made to the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to provide incentives for ailing operators.

Chairman, Association of Licensed Telecom Operators of Nigeria (ALTON), Mr. Gbenga Adebayo, made this disclosure last week, during a courtesy visit by the group to Airtel management team in Lagos.

According to him, ALTON had made representation to the NCC to develop an incentive-based bailout plan for the industry by granting exemptions, waivers or rebates on certain portions of the levy to ailing operators as a means of providing regulatory support, considering the Annual Operating Level (AOL) and payment suspension and reductions of dues payable to the Commission.

This, he said, would further assure the sustainable growth of the industry.

Adebayo accompanied by his executive at ALTON, said that they strongly stood against the House of Representatives Bill on Telecommunications (Equity) (HB173) Bill of 2009.

“This Bill set to mandate shareholding in telecommunication companies: our position was submitted to the Nigerian Investment Promotional Commission (NIPC) on the 12th of May 2009,” he said.

Some of the outlines of ALTON submission include that if the bill is passed as drafted may fundamentally alter the Federal Government’s Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) policy and negates the role of NIPC.

“It might amount to re-enacting the indigenization Act of 1972,” he said.

Equally, he said, ALTON had intervened severally on the implication of multiple regulations in the industry and the confusion that follows.

“We engage NCC continuously to assert its responsibility over telecommunications sector oversight and control at the appropriate governmental level,” he said.

Adebayo told the Airtel management team that ALTON is a body duly registered under the laws of Federal Republic of Nigeria as an incorporated trustee, and the industry advocacy group for all providers of telecommunications network and subsidiary services in Nigeria.

ALTON, he noted, was incorporated in 2000 and is currently led by an Executive Council, comprising the Chairman, Mr. Gbenga Adebayo; the Vice Chairman, Mr. Wale Goodluck; Financial Secretary Mr. Tom Iwueze; Publicity Secretary, Mr. Damian Udeh, the Treasurer Mr. Oladipupo Alabi and Executive Secretary, Mr. Kazeem Ladepo as well as an Administrator Mr. Gbolahan Awonuga and the Members in General Meeting.

He explained that the executive council oversees the day to day administration of Secretariat of the Association, which is directly under the supervision of the Chairman and the Executive Secretary.

“We are supported by four standing Committees headed by notable professionals from our member companieas in the areas of Legal and Regulatory Committee, headed by Ikenna Ikoku, Engineering Committee, Environmental Committee, Inter Government Relations Committee.

Membership of ALTON he said includes all network operating companies as well as those providing ancillary and other related value added services.

Adebayo pointed out that the major objectives of the trade association is to foster inter-network cooperation and industry harmony amongst all the operators and the regulator, as well as provide a platform for industry cum stakeholders interaction and collaboration for the advancement of the Nigerian telecommunications market.

Welcoming the visitor to Airtel Nigeria office at Banana Island, the Chief Executive Officer, Airtel Nigeria, Mr. Rajan Swaroop, commended ALTON and assured that the company has been built on professionalism and have been growing professionals to meet its demand in delivering good telecom services in the country.

He suggested to ALTON to make case for shortening of customer service agent engagement by subscribers to about three minutes to enable accommodation of more needy subscribers.

Alternatively, he suggested that it could be charged to ensure that telecom consumers to be precise on their inquiries to customer service agents.

Another worry expressed by the Airtel boss was that despite business decision to expand, installations of towers takes up to three months to finalise due to some bottlenecks in getting relevant approvals from the government and its agencies.

He enjoined ALTON to take this up with the regulatory authorities so as t find a solution to the aforementioned, just as he assured of Airtel Nigeria’s support to ALTON in its advocacy campaigns among others.

Remmy Nweke:
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NCC turns attention to Number Portability soon

Following the proper take off of the SIM Card Registration exercise in the country, the attention of the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) would not be on the workability of the Number Portability (NP).

This indication follows the outline presented to the Nigerian media as part of the six-point agenda by the current Executive Vice Chairman, Dr. Eugene Juwah, last January.

Number Portability is a process that allows mobile phone users to migrate from one network to another with the same number, especially when they are dissatisfied.

Sources at NCC confirmed to ITRealms Online that the processes will lead to a well-managed number portability regime largely at advanced stage.

It was gathered that the Initial Consultation Paper on the Implementation of Mobile Number Portability was published on the Commission’s website in February 2009, and comments were received from the industry stakeholders and the general public.

Additionally, it was gathered that the observations and concerns of the network operators have been addressed and accommodated as well as the regulator, bearing in mind the importance of the exercise and the overwhelming expectations of subscribers.

“NCC is taking all necessary steps that will ensure that all stakeholders are on the same page on the issue,” our sources said, stressing that the official announcement to this effect would be made soon by Dr, Juwah.

Experts say Number Portability connotes the ability to retain an existing subscriber number when transferring services from one operator to another.

Equally, they said, the porting process usually begins and ends when a subscriber initiates a request to a donor network for approval to transfer a number from their network to the recipient network.

“The subsequent receipt of an answer from the Donor Network, and the act of informing all Operators that a number has been successfully transferred and is now active on the Recipient Network, is what makes number portability work,” experts explained.

Even as it is expected that Number Portability will excite more competition which could drive down prices and increase value, and also impact on the quality of service (QoS) which the Commission is deploying various measures to address at the moment.

KPMG is consulting for the NCC on the exercise and is expected to handle all the back-end relationships.

Just as Dr. Juwah has assured that adequate preparations are being made to ensure the process is as flawless as possible when it takes off in the country.

Remmy Nweke
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Glo partners Sunway on 45,000 CUG lines

The Second National Operator (SNO) Globacom has partnered a variety device marketing company, Sunway Nigeria Limited, with the aim of connect Lagos State workers on a Close User Group (CUG) platform.

Confirming this development, head of Public sector at Glo, Mr. Tunde Amunikoro said that the platform would enable the workers to communicate free of charge with one another as long as they are in the CUG.

He explained that apart from providing seamless and cost-free communication for the workers, the package would also enable the users to talk with those outside the user group at very minimal cost.

The collaboration, he said, would offer initial 20,000 handsets bundled with Glo prepaid CUG package to the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and ultimately deliver 45,000 phones and lines to the NUT along with Glo SIMs based on their agreement.

He said that a signing ceremony for the partnership was held weekend, at the Mike Adenuga Towers headquarters of Globacom, stressing that the project is in line with Glo’s objective of easing communication in order to enhance efficiency and reduce turnaround time in public service.

“This is one way we are contributing to make the Nigerians workers happier and motivated to put in their best. At the end of the day, the country benefits more form their operations,” he said.

The Director, Sunway Mobile Ltd, Mr. Zhang Ji Gang said he was satisfied that Glo mobile has the backbone capacity and network quality to deliver quality telecoms service to the workers.

As said by him, Sunway is a major supplier to government agencies in Nigeria, adding that Globacom, through its public sector department has reached out to almost every state in the federation, providing free SIMs and directories, poverty alleviation projects and CUG facilities.

In addition, he said, the company has also collaborated with federal government agencies, the armed forces and ministries to provide stress free communication at little or no cost

Remmy Nweke
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EasyFuel unveils e-payment solutions

EasyFuel Limited has unveiled electronic payment (e-payment) solutions for the nation’s downstream oil and gas sector.

The Managing Director, EasyFuel Limited, Mr. Tayo Olajide, said in Lagos that his firm has three e-payment products for the downstream sector, namely the eGO also known as SmartCard, Speedpass and Sprint.

He noted that the integrated e-payment solutions have the potential of modernizing payment system in the sector.

According to him, these products could eliminate the use of cash in buying petroleum products at filling stations across the country, stressing that the company’s initiative was in line with the global trend which is increasingly shifting towards cashless solutions.

“Our belief at EasyFuel is that Nigeria cannot be an exception in adopting global standards. All around the world, there is a gradual shift towards cashless payment systems because of the various challenges that go with cash transactions,” Olajide said.

He pointed out that with these solutions on offer, what a customer needs to purchase fuel is nothing but a bank card or any of EasyFuel’s proprietary e-payment products which may be installed in the vehicle or issued as contactless fobs.

The EasyFuel system, he also said, accepts bank-issued ATM Debit and Credit cards thereby enabling customers to pay for their fuel electronically from their current or cheque bank accounts.

For those who cannot entrust their drivers with their ATM cards, he said, Speedpass comes in handy.

“Speedpass is a contactless device that is waved in front of a contactless reader at the pump at the filling station to initiate a transaction,” he said, adding that with the Speedpass, customers could set pre-determined limits on how much a vehicle could refuel, how often and on what kinds of products and services, during what period of time.

He explained that the Sprint product offers the highest level of control and accountability for fleet managers.

“The Sprint is a smart Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) device, which is installed in a vehicle and works by identifying the vehicle to the EasyFuel system,” he said.

Additionally, he said it provides vehicle information such as fuel type and tank capacity, vehicle registration number, personal account number, fuel grade and permissible volume, minimum distance between refueling and incremental odometer and hour meter readings.

He underscored that through a web portal, fleet owners have access to transaction information per vehicle thereby enabling them real time visibility on fueling cost per car and eventually generate reports for planning purposes.

“Sprint also comes fitted with Global Positioning System (GPS) module which enables asset tracking,” he said.

Olajide further outlined some of the benefits of these products to include they guarantee convenience and control while they eliminate cash in transactions at the filling stations.

Customers, he said, would no longer be cheated by their drivers while it is a new dawn for fleet managers, who no longer have to worry about fuelling fraud and report generation.

He further urged companies, especially fleet companies to take advantage of these products in management of their vehicle fuel consumptions.

Remmy Nweke:
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