Komatsu Selects Verizon Business to Manage Global IP Network

Verizon Private IP, Data Center Co-Location and Managed Services Improve Komatsu’s Network Visibility and Boost Efficiency Around the World

TOKYO, JAPAN and READING, England – February 9, 2009 – Komatsu, one of the world`s largest mine- and construction-equipment makers, has partnered with Verizon Business for the support and management of Komatsu’s global IP communications solutions.

Verizon Private IP will provide voice and data links across Komatsu’s 25 key global sites. In addition, Komatsu has fully outsourced the support and management of its global network to Verizon Business, which will use Verizon Managed WAN to provide Komatsu with enhanced network visibility and management capabilities and thus help improve its operational efficiency.

Komatsu has also co-located part of its European data centers with Verizon Business, and deployed Verizon Ethernet Private Line to provide high-speed connectivity from the data centre to the company’s global network.

Komatsu, headquartered in Tokyo, has established a global network of retail distribution and equipment manufacturing centers since its inception in 1921.  In an increasingly competitive and challenging global market, the company’s communications infrastructure plays a vital role in enabling the swift and efficient exchange of information and documentation in support of timely and high-quality customer service.

Verizon Business is providing Komatsu with a dedicated, high-bandwidth, fully redundant communications infrastructure to maximize the availability of Komatsu’s business-critical applications. Selecting Verizon Data Centre Co-location services for its European site enables Komatsu to free up valuable network resources, yet also to benefit from a secure, state-of-the-art facility. By consolidating all of its network support with a single global supplier, Komatsu also realises the efficiencies of highly skilled Verizon Business experts, who are able to provide round-the-clock support to all of the company’s operations around the globe.

Kosuke Yamane, general manager of the e-Komatsu technical center, said: As our business has grown, so too has the volume of data moving across our global network. To ensure we could continue to effectively support the future growth of our global operations, we decided to consolidate and integrate our global infrastructure with a single global supplier. Our key objectives were to maximize network efficiency and scalability as well as to realize cost efficiencies through outsourced expertise. Key criteria for us were efficient project management to enable smooth network migration, flexible support services, and the availability of service lineups to meet future requirements such as total managed security services. Verizon Business was the only provider who could meet all of these critical requirements. 

Dirk Fieremans, Komatsu’s European infrastructure manager, said: We have seen significant expansion in Europe over recent years, and needed to ensure our European operations were fully integrated into the global network infrastructure. However, more importantly, we also needed to take a holistic view of our global network provision to enable us to develop a secure and reliable platform on which to build our future IP-based communications and support future growth. Verizon Business demonstrated a strong understanding of our business and was able to offer strategic advice that will make a real difference as we work to achieve our overall business goals. The team offers the combination of industry experience, technical expertise and worldwide presence we were looking for, and we are confident that the company is the right partner for our evolving communications needs.

Blair Crump, group president worldwide sales at Verizon Business, said: Our global reach and commitment to customer satisfaction are the hallmarks of our success.  Komatsu needed a secure and reliable network infrastructure and global managed services support to support its future growth. We look forward to utilizing Verizon Business’ expertise in support of Komatsu’s business goals, in a long and fruitful global collaboration.

The Managed Service Advantage

Verizon Business manages 270,000-plus security, network and hosting devices across more than 4,000 customer networks spanning 142 countries and territories. The company also oversees non-Verizon connections from more than 60 network providers worldwide.  Verizon Business’ managed network services are backed by industry-leading service-level commitments and the company’s award-winning IMPACT management platform.

About Komatsu

Komatsu is a diversified provider of industrial-use products and services. While remaining an international leader in the field of construction and mining equipment, the Komatsu Group engages in other businesses, such as utility equipment (compact machines), forest machines, industrial machinery, logistics and other solutions-based operations.
See http://www.komatsu.com for further information.

About Verizon Business

Verizon Business, a unit of Verizon Communications (NYSE: VZ), is a global leader in communications and IT solutions. We combine professional expertise with the world’s most connected IP network to deliver award-winning communications, IT, information security and network solutions. We securely connect today’s extended enterprises of widespread and mobile customers, partners, suppliers and employees – enabling them to increase productivity and efficiency and help preserve the environment. Many of the world’s largest businesses and governments – including 96 percent of the Fortune 1000 and thousands of government agencies and educational institutions – rely on our professional and managed services and network technologies to accelerate their business.
Find out more at www.verizonbusiness.com