jniccoli@attmail.uucp (Josephine E Niccoli) (11/30/89)
CHICAGO -- Andersen Consulting today became the first customer to
use Illinois Bell's ISDN services and AT&T public switched 56Kbps
international service to link its offices in Chicago and Tokyo.
The services included in this link are Ameritech's ISDN Centrex,
AT&T's Switched Digital International (SDI) Service, KDD's (Kokusai
Denshin Denwa Co., Ltd.) International ISDN Service and NTT's (Nippon
Telegraph and Telephone) INS-Net Service.
In a historic call from Andersen Consulting's headquarters in
Chicago to its Tokyo offices, Andersen Consulting partner Cory Van
Wolvelaere initiated a voice and video conference as well as a Group 4
fax transaction -- the first such international call using the public
switched ISDN access from a local Bell Company. The call was
completed to Tokyo via AT&T, the Japanese international long distance
provider KDD, and NTT, which provided the local ISDN connection in
Japan.
Illinois Bell is providing ISDN access to both Andersen
Consulting, which helps clients apply technology for competitive
advantage, and Arthur Andersen, which provides audit, tax and
financial consulting services.
Illinois Bell Telephone General Manager of Major Business Markets
Tom Potrykus explained, "Illinois Bell has been a primary force behind
ISDN, paving the way for practical applications of this technology in
the workplace. Our customers are demanding broader access to
international destinations."
"What makes today's call unique is that it is not unique,"
emphasized Fred Topor, AT&T Network Systems vice president of sales.
Today's call is placed over tariffed services that are available
today.
"Once a customer has subscribed to these services, all he or she
has to do is dial a standard international call. Customers can use
this service on an as-needed basis. So, the point is that access to
these international video calling and fax services is practically as
easy as calling in to order a pizza."
Although Andersen uses leased facilities for videoconferencing
with its Chicago, New York and London offices, the cost of adding the
Tokyo office to the video network via leaded lines is prohibitive.
Using the public switched network, the firm is exploring the benefits
of reduced travel time and costs and better quality decision-making as
a result of face-to- face discussions and shared documents.
"We have a long-standing commitment to applying
telecommunications technologies and applications to provide total
solutions to the ever-growing needs of our clients as well as our
international organizations," said Cory Van Wolvelaere, the partner
who oversees Andersen Consulting's Telecommunications Group.
"As a leader in serving businesses in the Asia-Pacific region, we
are always looking for ways to enhance our services," said Lyle
Ginsberg, partner in charge of Andersen's Japan Telecommunications
Group. "We are now supplementing our telecommunications presence in
Tokyo by relocating telecommunications key experts in the region. Our
effective use of advanced communications intelligence will allow for
the critical exchange of information between our core group in Chicago
and the organization in Tokyo," Ginsberg said.
During Tuesday's video conference call, Andersen Consulting's
Chicago and Tokyo offices discussed the firm's well-known and proven
project methodology that will be used to complete a potential client
project. Demonstrating a multi-vendor application, the equipment used
to provide the service included Canon's L3100 Group 4 Facsimile
Machine with an AT&T 7500 Terminal Adapter, and PictureTel's V3100
Videoconferencing System with a Fujitsu SRS-410 Terminal Adapter to
provide 112Kbps over a single ISDN line.
"Andersen Consulting is committed to the research and development
of advanced technologies and applications. We currently have an ISDN
lab in Chicago where industry-specific applications systems are being
developed to provide strategic advantages to our clients," said Andre
Hughes, a manager in the Telecommunications Group.
"Illinois Bell continues to achieve landmarks in the use of ISDN
by providing practical applications that can make ISDN more cost
effective and efficient," Potrykus added. "Voice, videoconferencing
and Group 4 fax applications will make it easier for Andersen
Consulting to conduct project meetings and training sessions between
international points."international points."
Andersen Consulting has helped organizations apply technology for
competitive advantage since 1954, when it installed the first computer
for commercial use. The practice provides business, industry and
technology skills, and the services necessary to integrate complex
business systems. The practice's worldwide client base has access to
18,000 highly trained professionals.
The Arthur Andersen Worldwide Organization operates through
member firms in 54 countries. With more than 51,000 personnel, the
organization provides professional services globally, in 243
locations, through two business units: Arthur Andersen (accounting,
audit and tax services) and Andersen Consulting (information
consulting services). Arthur Andersen & Co., Societe Cooperative, the
worldwide organization's coordinating entity, has offices in Geneva,
Switzerland, Chicago and New York,
Businesses interested in exploring the feasibility of subscribing
for international ISDN should contact their local operating company
and/or AT&T. Illinois Bell's toll-free numbers are 1-800-428-4111 in
Illinois and 1-800-428-5111 outside of Illinois. AT&T's toll-free
number for SDI service is 1-800-448- 8600.deej@bellcore.bellcore.com (David Lewis) (12/03/89)
[various PR deleted...] Of course, what they didn't mention is that the call (probably -- this conjecture, based on my albeit limited knowledge of the status of compatable ISDN) went from AT&T terminal equipment to an Illinois Bell AT&T 5ESS to an ATT-C AT&T 4ESS to ... (although the reference to Fujitsu terminal adaptors was fascinating -- anyone know the details, like did someone actually get an AT&T ISDN switch to talk to a Fujitsu ISDN switch??) David G Lewis ...!bellcore!nvuxr!deej (@ Bellcore Navesink Research & Engineering Center) "If this is paradise, I wish I had a lawnmower."