COPENHAGEN, Denmark, 22 September, 2004 - MCI (NASDAQ: MCIP) today announced that Danish jewelry and design company Georg Jensen, has selected MCI to link the more than 100 Georg Jensen stores in 14 countries across Europe, the Middle East and Asia using MCI Private IP, a network-based MPLS VPN solution. MCI is providing a blend of fixed line and remote dial access connections to meet the connectivity requirements of each store to ensure that every location can fulfill Georg Jensen's essential business communications requirements with optimum value.
Georg Jensen produces exclusive jewelry, watches, hollowware, cutlery and design items for the home. Its pure, elegant Scandinavian design style is favoured by millions of customers around the world and it is often quoted as one of Denmark's most recognised global brands. Beginning 100 years ago as a silversmithy in Copenhagen, the company has evolved into a prestigious multinational retail chain.
"We were looking for a technically advanced, supportive, reliable communication provider with extensive global reach," says Flemming Bach, IT director of Georg Jensen. "MCI met all of our specific requirements. But what really set MCI apart was its extraordinary dedication to serve our needs as a customer combined with an unparalleled commitment from the people of MCI."
Currently, Georg Jensen is using MCI Private IP to link the cash desks in all Georg Jensen stores to its central IT system hosted in Copenhagen. Because the MCI Private IP network is a truly private MPLS-based network it provides the stores with a highly secure and reliable network to run their mission-critical sales transaction and payment applications. In the future, the corporate network will also be used for advanced business applications, e-mail exchange and Internet access.
"Our relationship with Georg Jensen reflects MCI's commitment to provide our customers with the highest possible levels of service quality, innovation and value," says Frank Enevoldsen, sales director for MCI in Denmark. "We look forward to the opportunity of expanding and growing our support for Georg Jensen."
To maximize the value if its infrastructure investment, Georg Jensen is leveraging the expansive international reach of both the MCI Private IP and Dial Access networks to cost-effectively tailor each store's access method to its functional requirements. Its larger stores are connected via fixed MCI Private IP connections while its smaller stores use MCI Internet Dial Corporate to link with the corporate network. As Georg Jensen is currently expanding with new shops opening at regular intervals, MCI will be able to easily expand the company's Private IP solution with additional new connections as needed virtually anywhere in the world.
MCI Private IP offers a simple, cost-effective transition path from traditional data networks to contemporary IP networking with the option of using existing frame relay or ATM wide area network (WAN) equipment to access the MCI Private IP network. It enables businesses to better control their networks and enhance efficiency by leveraging the traffic routing and bandwidth utilization capabilities of MPLS. Private IP is the solution for companies that require the highest quality of service to carry integrated voice, video and data with the security of a private network, while providing Internet access and a means to securely connect remote and mobile users to their corporate networks.
Earlier this year, MCI announced that its Private IP solution is a certified Cisco Powered Network service and disclosed its plans to expand the global MCI Private IP network to more than 110 cities in 48 countries worldwide by the end of 2004.
About Georg Jensen
Founded in Denmark in 1904, Georg Jensen now has over 100 stores in 13 countries. For the past 100 years Georg Jensen has stood for refined and organic design that is both pure and timeless. It is with great pride that the company celebrates its Centenary in 2004 and honours its history of superior craftsmanship and Nordic design. For more information, go to www.georgjensen.com
About MCI
MCI, Inc. (NASDAQ: MCIP) is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With the industry's most expansive global IP backbone, based on the number of company-owned points of presence, and wholly-owned data networks, MCI develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. For more information, go to www.mci.com.
| Area: | Global |
| Name: | Annika Jungeteg-Falkman |
| Role: | MCI Public Relations |
| Tel: | +46 8 5661 7073 |
| E-mail: | annika.jungeteg-falkman@se.mci.com |
