October 2017

8 APAC / October 2017 are not satisfied with the agreed performance. This, the first contractual model to replace long contract periods and antiquated outsourcing models with dynamic SAP services and SAP HANA, is called Run on Satisfaction. T-Systems wants to continue down this path, offering its business customers novel flexible service models. High-performance networks for enterprises Deutsche Telekom is constantly refining its high-performance infrastructure and invests billions of euros for this purpose every year. Kamini goes on to detail the specifics of this important part of the firm’s work. “The Internet Protocol (IP) is increasingly becoming the technical basis. Next-generation networks (NGN) and all-IP networks make it possible for companies to offer their services and applications over the Internet, through new business models. The integrated network strategy is based on fixed-mobile convergence, the development of 5G, and a pan-European network (Pan-Net). “Advancements in the development of the 5G standard mean that Deutsche Telekom has recently could reduce latency to under one millisecond, which is a requirement for real-time applications such as self-driving cars, remote medical procedures and even high-performance games. “The T-Systems telecommunications portfolio is divided into several different areas: connectivity and network access, corporate networks, and end-user communications. It includes access services for high-performance mobile and fixed networks, and secure corporate networks (LANs and WANs) based on VPN technology and including operations, maintenance and updates. T-Systems also offers communication services such as unified communications, voice over IP and videoconferencing systems based on public and proprietary networks. For years now, Deutsche Telekom networks have ranked very high in tests for network coverage, voice quality and data transmission speeds.” International network alliances T-Systems works together with network operators across the globe. In 2016, the company and its international partners founded a new enterprise called ngena, which stands for Next Generation Enterprise Network Alliance. Kamini is eager to reveal more about this exciting development in the firm’s work.] “Still in the establishment phase, this fixed-network alliance is going to offer secure, high-performance global services for international business customers from 2017 onward. The idea behind the new alliance is for strong local providers to share their networks with all the other members. Each partner will invest in its own network, but all will benefit from the sum total of the networks. “While each partner will serve its local market, the alliance enables the partner’s customers to access international networks. Like the cloud, ngena creates a technical platform for all participating partners. “T-Systems is also going global when it comes to mobile networks. Via Freemove (in Europe), Bridge Alliance (in Asia) and T-Mobile US, the company can provide its customers with reliable mobile coverage in 100 countries across the globe – giving it the best 4G network worldwide.” Combating cyber criminals Cloud computing, mobile solutions and big data all pose entirely new challenges for IT security according to T-Systems International GmbH. What is more, cyber-attacks on corporate networks and IT systems are getting ever more sophisticated and have become a huge threat to the economy. Kamini reveals more about the firm’s approach to IT security. “Data privacy and data security are thus crucial criteria for success in all technical developments. That is why Deutsche Telekom established the new Telekom Security business unit, which concentrates all the company’s security activities, and channels the experience of its more than 1,000 security experts. “The group is doing everything in its power to protect its own IT systems and networks – as well as the data of its corporate customers and consumers – from Internet-based attacks, to develop new security solutions for its customers, and to continuously adapt them to new requirements.” Digitising the economy Founded in 2015, the T-Systems Digital Division unites the company’s digitisation expertise in a single business unit. Kamini is keen to underline the vital work of this section in the company. “It focuses on refining innovative digital solutions that will help the company optimise its development, production and customer processes. The solutions in question include applications for analysing large amounts of data in real time (data analytics), solutions for connecting objects (the internet of things) and machines (M2M), industry-specific solutions such as Connected Car as well as a connected healthcare system (e-health). “Data analytics, i.e., the analysis of machine and device data, is one of the core competencies for the digital transformation. The increasing integration of machines and devices in networks is triggering an explosion in the volume of data to be processed. T-Systems offers the computing capacity to process data in the cloud, analyse it as required, and make it available to customers in line with their specific needs. The analyses are based on technologies such as SAP HANA and Hadoop. “Wherever data on the status of machines and devices is available in large volumes in real time, companies can use it for predictive maintenance. This involves equipping machines and devices with sensors, which continuously record data on the status of individual components. The data is sent via the mobile network to a centralised smart software program that analyses and processes it in real time. These analyses can recognise imminent damage or defects in vehicles or machines before they lead to downtime. Predictive maintenance can reduce maintenance costs by up to 50%.” Connected and autonomous driving T-Systems is also teaching vehicles how to communicate, through sensors and smart networking Kamini highlights, before telling us about this innovative aspect of the firm’s work. “Turning the vision of autonomous vehicles into reality requires, for one thing, high-resolution roadmaps. More importantly, it involves collecting, aggregating and processing diverse sensor data and environmental information in real time. This is where T-Systems’ Connected Car platform comes in. It comprises all the components needed for the secure global networking of different manufacturers’ vehicles along with service providers and infrastructure operators. Major automakers such as BMW and Daimler already deploy T-Systems’ Connected Car solutions. “Under the Innovation Charter for the Digital Motorway Test Bed, a group of organisations in Germany – Deutsche Telekom, Continental, the Fraunhofer ESK Institute for Embedded Systems and Communication Technologies, and Nokia Networks – are testing real-time communication between motor vehicles via the LTE network. Vehicles traveling on the motorway can exchange information on driving hazards extremely quickly, with data transmission times in the millisecond range. This technology enables the development of applications that interface with vehicle electronics to make driving a safer and more comfortable experience. “The fastest mobile network hit the road in summer 2016, when T-Systems equipped BMW ConnectedDrive with LTE, enabling download speeds of up to 300 megabits per second (MBit/s). Deutsche Telekom provided the Bavarian automaker with a managed mobile network and uniform service across 60 countries. BMW also gained a complete overview of mobile network availability in each country.” Committed to corporate governance The firm has high expectations – especially of themselves. T-Systems follows comprehensive principles of good corporate governance, which include accounting guidelines, compliance and ethical standards. Kamini explains more about these principles that the firm holds dear. “These principles fulfil the requirements of our parent company, Deutsche Telekom AG, and the public, as well