Verizon Upgrades Global Communications for Ariston Thermo Group to Help Company Achieve Its Business Goals

MILAN, June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Ariston Thermo Group's ongoing global expansion left it with disparate platforms and technologies that were not aligned with the company's goals of growth and integration.  To resolve that issue, Ariston Thermo has chosen an integrated Verizon communications and networking solution that will enable the manufacturing leader to drive more effective collaboration across its extensive operations and implement a range of advanced services.

Verizon's solution consists of a consolidated and fully managed global IP-enabled network platform that can be quickly expanded to support Ariston Thermo's changing business needs.  The solution also includes the deployment of advanced, IP-enabled collaboration services, including Hosted IP Centrex using Voice over Internet Protocol, to deliver further productivity and cost and management efficiencies – key goals for Ariston Thermo.

Ariston Thermo Group, one of the world leaders in Themic Comfort, offers a complete range of heating and hot water products, systems, services and solutions designed to provide the maximum degree of comfort with the minimum use of energy. Founded in Italy more than 80 years ago, the company now employs more than 6,400 people in 42 companies to support customers in more than 150 countries around the world.

"Our company growth has been driven by innovation and our ongoing desire to explore new trends and new markets, and that applies just as much to our use of technology as to our product development and service delivery," said Giovanni Daconto, Ariston Thermo Group's IT manager. "Our global network is really the backbone of our global operations and needs to be flexible and scalable enough to support our changing business needs. In Verizon we have found a business partner who combines an expansive solutions portfolio with the global reach, experience and expertise we need to achieve our business goals."

Verizon is a global leader in driving better business outcomes for enterprises and government agencies.  Verizon delivers integrated IT and communications solutions via its high-IQ global IP and mobility networks to enable businesses to securely access information, share content and communicate.  Verizon is rapidly transforming to a cloud-based "everything-as-a-service" delivery model that will put the power of enterprise-class solutions within the reach of every business.  Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com.

About Ariston Thermo Group

Ariston Thermo Group is a world's leading company in heating and hot water heating. It is the no. 1 producer of water heaters and Europe's no. 4 producer of heating systems. In 2010, the Group reached a total turnover of euro 1.2 billion and turned out 6.4 million products from 18 production sites in 10 countries; it has 6,400 employees and 42 companies in 27 countries, with a distribution network covering more than 150 countries. The Group offers a full range of products, systems and services, mostly under the Ariston, Elco and Chaffoteaux brands. Ariston Thermo's commitment to energy efficiency is expressed through its constant stream of new solutions based on renewable energy sources, such as solar thermal systems and electric heat pumps, improvement of the efficiency of traditional products (such as boilers and water heaters) and investment in new projects for the future, including micro-cogeneration systems. The underlying objective is to offer an optimal combination of comfort, energy saving and care for the environment. For more information, visit www.aristonthermo.com.

About Verizon

Verizon Communications Inc. (NYSE, NASDAQ: VZ), headquartered in New York, is a global leader in delivering broadband and other wireless and wireline communications services to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers.  Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, with more than 104 million total connections nationwide.  Verizon also provides converged communications, information and entertainment services over America's most advanced fiber-optic network, and delivers seamless business solutions to customers around the world.  A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 196,000 and last year generated consolidated revenues of $106.6 billion.  For more information, visit www.verizon.com.

SOURCE Verizon