Molex helps Marconi pioneer new IT strategy

Marconi Communications has been awarded the status of Corporate Certified Installer by Molex Premise Networks. The move is part of a wider working relationship between the two companies in support of an ambitious new initiative by Marconi for a major upgrade of its IT networks world-wide.

Under the agreement, Molex Premise Networks is not only Marconi`s preferred supplier for network connectivity products, but also provides in-house installation teams with comprehensive training and full technical support. All Marconi engineers will go through the Molex training programme. Installed systems are covered by the Molex Premise Networks 20-year product and performance warranty.

Marconi Project manager Robert Gilkes explains: "This is a radical new approach, designed to enable business growth to benefit from all our available technology, consistently, throughout the organisation. We are standardisting throughout the organisation, even to the extent of replacing exiting equipment. The aim is to provide full accessibility to all IT resources from every point in the building - to integrate the IT network with the building fabric."

"Cabling is key to the implementation of that strategy," continues Gilkes. "It is the foundation for the entire IT infrastructure. Our partnership with Molex - and our new Corporate Certified Installer status - give us the consistent quality and reliability in network components and installation to ensure system performance. Molex is a key link at ground level in our global IT strategy."

Marconi office sites are to be flood-wired to a generic grid layout, providing end-to-end connectivity for a potential work-space in every 10m2. All IT resources will be available at every desk, with total flexibility in office layout. Work has already begun at Coventry, and will start at Liverpool and other UK sites later this year. World-wide roll out is planned over the next three years (Robert - can we be more specific about times / sites here?).

"We have enjoyed a close working relationship with Marconi Communications for more than five years now and are already working with them on a number of projects," says Peter Narey, Molex Premise Networks Managing Director. "We are delighted by their decision to become a Corporate Certified Installer and look forward to supporting them in the global roll out of their IT strategy."

Robert Gilkes again: "The plan is an ambitious one. Using in-house installation teams - with the option to call on other Molex Certified Installers if we need to - will give us the level of flexibility and control we think we`ll need to achieve it. Global support from our technical partners will be crucial."