Microsoft and T-Systems Intensify Their Partnership with a New Hybrid Cloud Solution for Shell

ROCHESTER HILLS, Mich. and FRANKFURT, Germany, Feb. 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Microsoft and T-Systems are intensifying their strategic cooperation with a new combined offering – 'Dynamic Services for Collaboration.'  Shell will soon be the first to benefit from this development, having commissioned the two suppliers to deliver a tailored SharePoint programme that will enable Shell employees to collaborate in the virtual world.  Now that the pre-deployment of Microsoft's BPOS for this programme is complete, the first release has been scheduled for Shell users in April 2011.

Jay Crotts, Shell's VP IT Services, recently spoke at Microsoft's Global Energy Forum on the advantages of Cloud computing.  He stated, "For us as a globally operating company, SharePoint is a key instrument for smooth cooperation in projects with decentralized teams.  This joint solution will allow us to appreciate considerable cost reductions and greater flexibility."

The technology combines SharePoint and FAST Search, which caters for the enterprise-wide customer environment.  It is a hybrid solution integrating T-Systems' SharePoint services, which is based on Dynamic Computing Platform, with the standardized BPOS offering from Microsoft.  It enables the next generation of global, online collaboration among employees by providing a central platform for various applications such as document and content management as well as organization and collaboration in project work.  The information stored can be made available to each employee as required.  The solution is highly scalable, it can incorporate adaptations according to specific requirements, for example high-security specifications, and has a usage-based pricing model.

T-Systems and Microsoft have been working together on a number of fronts in the ICT market since 2004, as well as now on this major development for Shell.  In 2009, the two companies announced their joint effort in the field of cloud computing to give users access to standard Microsoft applications such as Outlook or Word via the network as needed.

"This development is a clear extension of our existing partnership with Shell, broadening our scope from Hosting and Storage into the Collaboration and Application Management space," said Reinhard Clemens, member of the Deutsche Telekom Board of Management and CEO of T-Systems.

"Microsoft and T-Systems are now bringing together their strengths in SharePoint for Shell. It is highly significant for us that Shell, one of our largest SharePoint customers, is now receiving the application in a hybrid cloud, thus putting them at the top of the innovation tree in this area," said Jan Piet van Roon, Global Client Director for Shell at Microsoft.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT) is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

About T-Systems

Drawing on a global infrastructure of data centers and networks, T-Systems operates information and communication technology (ICT) systems for multinational corporations and public sector institutions. On this basis, Deutsche Telekom's corporate customers arm provides integrated solutions for the networked future of business and society. Some 45,300 employees at T-Systems combine industry expertise with ICT innovations to add significant value to customers' core business all over the world. The corporate customers unit generated revenue of around EUR 8.8 billion in the 2009 financial year.

SOURCE T-Systems