backThrowing out the fixed line phone brings major business benefits and savings
New study shows fixed-to-mobile substitution is viable but business awareness of benefits is low
New international research reveals how enterprises are missing out on major cost savings of as much as 25% in some cases by not moving more or all of their voice traffic from fixed-to-mobile telephones. The results counter conventional wisdom that mobile communications are always more expensive than fixed phones. In fact it outlines how increasing the proportion of mobile phones can in many cases result in lower costs because of changes in call patterns, operational and capital expenditure.
Conducted by BearingPoint, one of the world's largest business consulting practices, in cooperation with Nokia Networks, the study examined factors for and against fixed-to-mobile substitution, and whether major enterprise telecom decision-makers in France, Spain, Germany, Finland, Sweden and the USA are aware of the concept and its benefits.
The research concludes that mobile service providers are now in a stronger position to seize more enterprise voice traffic market share from fixed telecom providers through negotiating per-minute tariffs with enterprise customers that are both profitable and can produce cost savings of up to 25 percent.
Despite the large-scale use of mobiles within business, the analysis revealed enterprises typically decide upon the proportion of mobiles to fixed phones based on employee need and with no consideration about cost savings. None of the enterprises interviewed had processes in place to systematically minimise total telephony costs based on all the factors involved. Although awareness of the cost saving opportunities of fixed-to-mobile substitution was low, a substantial majority of the decision-makers interviewed said that they would welcome further investigation into how the concept could be applied.
"Determining the total cost of telephony within the enterprise is a complex issue. This study gets right inside what the variables and barriers are. It reveals that few if any enterprises have an in-depth understanding of how they could optimise costs between their fixed and mobile phone usage," says Mikko J. Salminen, Director, Fixed to Mobile Substitution Program, Nokia Networks.
"What is striking is that the opportunity to reduce costs through moving more voice traffic to mobiles is available and offers a multi-billion Euro cost saving opportunity to enterprises globally under the right conditions," he adds.
About the report
One side of the research project examined the right conditions for successfully migrating from fixed to mobile within the enterprise, whilst also acknowledging how telephony costs today comprise many more different interconnected factors. The key finding is that with most enterprises having both fixed and mobile telephones, the volume of inter-network traffic is often unnecessarily high and therefore expensive. In many cases, increasing the proportion of mobile phones results in lower costs because increased mobile charges are more than offset by decreased inter-network call charges among other benefits.
Other preconceptions on costs were also reconsidered. Whilst fixed-to-fixed internal calls are often free of charge, the associated infrastructure is costly to maintain. The actual volume of fixed to fixed traffic also is smaller than thought, as employees are increasingly making internal calls to colleagues' mobiles because this is a far more effective way to reach them. In addition, as many employees have both fixed and mobile company phones, there are obvious opportunities to abolish duplicated infrastructure and costs. This includes removing the costs associated with diverting calls from desk phones to mobiles, for example.
In its market research programme Bearing Point interviewed senior decision-makers in the IT/telecom departments of European and American enterprises about how they managed telephony costs and their awareness of how fixed and mobile telephony costs could be optimised more efficiently.
Latest update: 27 May, 2003
Top Marks for Vattenfall's Dam Safety Activities
Vattenfall is a leader in dam safety. This is the general conclusion reached by three internationally renowned experts as a result of the review they conducted into dam safety.
"The overall standard of risk management is among the highest the panel has encountered," concluded the expert group in their summary after three days of in-depth interviews with a large number of key staff within the Vattenfall Group and from external bodies such as Svenska Kraftnät, Svensk Energi, Elforsk and Vattenregleringsföretagen.
An extensive investment programme is under way to upgrade and strengthen Vattenfall's Swedish hydropower dams on the basis of new and more demanding guidelines and new risk assessments. It is in connection with this massive investment scheme that Vattenfall has appointed three eminent dam safety experts to assess their approach.
Members of the review group included Gary Salmon, former Director of Dam Safety at BC Hydro in Canada, Mona Bechai, former Director of Dam Safety at Ontario Power Generation in Canada, and Ferdinand Budweg, an expert in dam safety from Brazil and the author of ICOLD bulletin "Dams Safety Guidelines". Their review has been specially focused on organisation and decision- making, the methods that are used and how well structured the approach is. The conclusion reached is that Vattenfall's work in this area is of a high standard in an international comparison.
The review group was particularly impressed by the fact that use is beginning to be made of MTO within hydropower, which is a method for analysing the interaction between Man, Technology and Organisation that has so far mainly been used in the nuclear power area.
Among the strong sides cited by the review panel was Vattenfall's high ambition and support of research and development within the field of dam safety. "Vattenfall has been extremely obliging and shown great patience in answering our questions," said Mona Bechai in her summing-up.
"Behind this review lies a considerable amount of effort and preparation over a long period of time," says Urban Norstedt, Director of Dam Safety, Vattenfall. "We have shown what we have done and what we plan to do, and have compared it with international experience."
Latest
update: 05 May, 2002
Fingerprints
ease travel
SAS Airline is evaluating new technology to simplify check-in and boarding
procedures. As part of these efforts, use is being made of biometry, a
technique that can read a person's unique characteristics. In the future,
a traveler's fingerprints could function as an identity check.
The
events in the US on September 11 have meant that the authorities have
intensified the security requirements for airlines and airports. It is
likely that the EU and local authorities will also introduce new requirements
during this year for further checks of passengers and baggage.
"The challenge we face is to raise the level of safety, while making
it easier to travel at the same time," says Peter Söderlund,
who is responsible for Product Development on Ground at SAS. Biometry
can provide us this opportunity, which is why we want to test this technology.
SAS is conducting an evaluation using smartcards that contain the traveler's
fingerprints. Without contact, the card is read by a card scanner. The
traveler presses a finger against a screen and his/her identity is verified
when the fingerprint is matched "locally" with the fingerprint
stored on the card.
"Using this 'local' matching of the customer's fingerprint and a
smartcard, the process becomes simpler, safer and quicker for the traveler,"
says Peter Söderlund. "We don't think that our customers want
to leave their fingerprints, so the information is not saved after matching
is completed."
"A fingerprint stored in a smartcard means that travelers carry their
own personal information and we can thereby resolve the problem of personal
integrity," says Tommy Lundin, who is responsible for new technology
at SAS.
Initially, tests are to be conducted in an internal installation at SAS's
head office and then among a small group of customers at one of the major
airports in Scandinavia.
SAS has selected the Scandinavian IT Group and Precise Biometrics as partners
for this project.
Latest update: 21 March, 2002
SAS and
Bennett BTI Nordic cooperate on SAS Corporate Card
SAS Corporate Card is SAS's new travel and payment card for business customers
that want to integrate ticketless travel, payment and simplified administration.
During the spring, Bennett BTI Nordic will launch the SAS Corporate Card
as an offer to small and medium-size enterprises.
The
SAS Corporate Card can be used as an electronic ticket and as tender.
The card simplifies the process of booking and paying for flights. "With
the SAS Corporate Card, just about everything during a flight can be paid
using the same card, and transferred later to a travel expense record.
Regardless of airline and ticket-purchase location, flights are paid from
a travel account, and all other expenses the traveler has are paid with
the card. With its link to MasterCard, the card will be valid at more
than 19 million purchase locations worldwide," says Håkan Olsson,
Director SAS Corporate Card Distribution Strategies.
Following a flight, all expenses will be billed to the traveler's company
on a single invoice. In addition to the payment functions, SAS can also
integrate its electronic ticket products - E-ticket and Travel Pass Corporate
- with the new card.
Two new Internet-based features that simplify travel administration for
the client company and individual traveler will be launched in 2002. These
are a statistical tool for companies and a personal tool that enables
travelers to track their purchases.
Bennett BTI Nordic views the SAS solution as a useful tool that enables
small and medium-size enterprises to follow up and monitor their travel
expenses, while at the same time simplifying administration.
The SAS Corporate Card offers companies flexible payment and billing functions
as well as ticketless travel, all on one card. The customer is free to
book either by Internet or through Bennett BTI, which is one of the largest
Nordic travel management companies, with nearly 100 offices through the
four Nordic countries. "We are convinced that this is the right solution
for many of our customers. It is a good product that reduces total travel-process
costs. By introducing new solutions, Bennett and SAS are demonstrating
their common desire to offer the best to their customers," says Ingemar
Åkesson, head of marketing at Bennett BTI Nordic..
Latest
update: 11 January, 2002
New robot
system at Danisco offers precise enzyme and culture screening
Capitalising on the state-of-the-art technology within robotics, Danisco
has markedly strengthened its biotechnology capacity within enzymes and
cultures. The robotic system significantly enhances Danisco's capacity
to find and isolate new enzymes and cultures. Food processing enzymes
are used by Danisco's customers to produce foods with improved physical
properties, e.g. texture. Cultures are used for cheese, yoghurt and some
non-dairy applications including bio preservation.
'We
produce enzymes and cultures for the food industry the world over, states
Andrew Morgan, Scientific Director. In nature, there is constant evolution.
We capitalise on that naturally-occurring process in the laboratory, simply
accelerating and guiding the process to identify or design enzymes and
cultures with the properties needed by our customers.'
'Some of the enzymes and bacterial culture strains that we start to work
with can be deficient in some of the properties which are necessary for
the applications our customers demand. An enzyme or culture might have,
for example, only three of the four desired characteristics. Thus, we
need to improve the enzyme or culture so that it embodies all four properties
optimally. With an enzyme, we do this by making variants of the enzyme
and then seek to identify those that have the desired properties' explains
Andrew Morgan.
However, identifying the enzyme that possesses exactly those desired properties
can be an amazingly complicated and lengthy process if done manually.
Perhaps 1 million variants need to be examined to find the right one.
'Sometimes we have enough information and possibilities to develop a screening
process that is relatively straightforward to implement and without the
need for a robotic system.Unfortunately, this is not always possible and
this is where we have to employ the robot. By using a robot system, we
can use more sophisticated identification methods and screen variants
very much more efficiently. With a robot system we are able to screen
over 20,000 variants per day, whereas we could only manually check a few
hundred,' points out Andrew Morgan.
The technology means that Danisco can accelerate the development of new
enzymes and cultures so customers' needs concerning new products are met
far more rapidly.
The robot system will also provide further options for development of
other Danisco's ingredients; for example, in the area of flavours. Senior
Vice President, Business Development, Leif Kjærgaard, comments about
the investment: 'We view this as an element in our continued updating
of research activities so that we maintain our solid competitive position
within food ingredients.'
Latest update: 12 December, 2001
Danisco Venture
makes strategic investment in WellGen
Danisco Venture has made a strategic investment in the US start-up company
WellGen Inc. The New Jersey-based company is developing proprietary disease
prevention products for the human food, pet-food, dietary supplement,
and human therapeutic markets. WellGen's biotechnology-based technical
platform is screening the effect of food and related substances on the
expression of genes associated with human disease. WellGen is developing
proprietary substances that, if successful, will contribute to reducing
the risk of certain types of cancer.
Danisco's venture unit was established earlier this year. Danisco Venture
focuses on creating significant value growth by investing a total amount
of DKK 500 million (approx. USD 60 million) in ventures with high value-added
products, services or technology platforms relevant to Danisco.
Recent research in genomics has resulted in identification of genes associated
with specific human diseases. Now that some of these genes have been isolated,
it is possible to identify foods that turn these genes on or off. By turning
off a gene associated with onset or proliferation of a disease or turning
on a gene with protection against a disease, it may be possible to reduce
the risk of human or animal disease.
WellGen's first product candidate is based on orange peel. The specific
extract was identified by screening fractions of orange peel extract for
their effect on expression of genes in cells that are associated with
colon cancer. The cancer preventive properties were validated in short
and long-term mice feeding studies. To date, the results have shown a
dramatic effect on prevention of colon cancer in mice. Soon, the orange
peel extract product will be tested in human clinical studies at the Cancer
Institute of New Jersey. The orange peel extract was developed for WellGen
by Florida Flavors, a US flavour house Danisco acquired in April 2001.
Apart from discovering the extract's impact on the prevention of colon
cancer, other substances with a positive impact on cancer have been identified
by WellGen Inc. An example is an extract from black tea.
WellGen holds an exclusive license to technology developed by Rutgers
University and the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Rutgers is a major
shareholder in WellGen.
Mr. Anders Wilhjelm, Vice President, Danisco Venture: 'WellGen originates
from Rutgers University, which has a strong reputation in food science.
The company is targeting the overlap in the market between food and medicine
and we see interesting possibilities in exploring this area. In addition,
Anders Wilhjelm points to the fact that WellGen, apart from having a value
in itself, also fits perfectly into Danisco's activity within extraction
of flavours and other natural products.
Dr. David Evans, CEO of WellGen: 'We are pleased with the product portfolio
that we have licensed based on natural products for cancer prevention.
Having Danisco as a strategic investor gives WellGen a strong partner
that has extensive knowledge of the food industry. Also, Danisco can help
WellGen in getting our products commercialised faster - this is a great
opportunity for both of us.'
Latest update: 12
November, 2001
We are now introducing
SAS Corporate Card - a combined travel and payment concept
SAS Corporate Card is a travel and payment concept for companies and their
travellers. The card includes MasterCard, ticketless travel and a travel
account for purchasing travel services at the travel agency. SAS Corporate
Card is a new and unique, complete solution for companies' business travellers
that will simplify travelling and travel administration, as well as lowering
the cost of business travel.
The launch of SAS Corporate Card in November is aimed at companies operating
in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. The concept is a wide- ranging
and flexible solution for small and medium-sized companies. SAS Corporate
Card will support the travel administration process from order to payment,
as well as following up travel-related expenses. This means that the corporate
customers' direct and indirect costs can be lowered, irrespective of the
choice of sales outlet and supplier.
The company chooses where it wants to make its travel purchases, either
through travel agencies or direct from SAS. Thanks to an integrated travel
account and MasterCard, SAS Corporate Card can collect all purchases in
one place. This enables the company to receive a single, shared invoice
for all purchases. According to independent studies, an invoice costs
SEK 300-600 to administer, and so SAS Corporate Card facilitates savings
by reducing the number of invoices.
SAS Corporate Card offers companies increased control over their travel-
related costs by means of detailed and combined statistics covering all
purchases, no matter where these purchases were made. The customer can
easily retrieve these statistics from the Internet.
Through business partners within various sectors, SAS Corporate Card can
offer lower prices to its corporate customers. The following business
offers are currently included in SAS Corporate Card: Radisson SAS, Scandic
Hotels, Statoil, Avis, Hertz, Telia Access and Regus. In addition, SAS
offers favourable rates for flights within the framework of Travel Pass
Corporate, whose booking and flight function is integrated in SAS Corporate
Card. The payment platform is based on UATP.
SAS Corporate Card is a multi-function card which includes MasterCard
for making payments at more than 20 million places worldwide. The card
also operates as a flight ticket for Travel Pass Corporate and electronic
tickets, as well as replacing other cards such as existing charge cards,
petrol cards, telephone cards and car rental cards.
No matter which airline company, train or boat the customer chooses to
travel with, SAS Corporate Card operates as a total solution for the company.
Latest update: 23
October, 2001
SAS
acquisition of Braathens approved by authorities
One of several agreed conditions for implementing the transaction is thereby
fulfilled
The Norwegian Competition Authority (Konkurransetilsynet; "KT")
has today announced its approval of the SAS' acquisition of the Norwegian
airline Braathens.
At the same time, SAS notes that the KT is not taking action for the moment
against frequent flyer programs, corporate client agreements and agency
deals.
Other terms in the agreement with Braathens' majority shareholders
It must be emphasised that the agreement between Braathens' majority shareholders
and SAS contains a number of conditions in addition to approval by the
authorities. Such conditions are customary in an agreement of this kind,
and relate in alia to the financial status of Braathens and to certain
legal aspects.
Other conditions, including the acceptance of the offer by shareholders
representing more than 90 per cent the Braathens shares and completion
by 31 December 2001, must also be fulfilled before the transaction can
be implemented.
It is unclear today whether the terms and conditions specified in the
agreement are or can be fulfilled. This will be clarified in the immediate
future.
Latest update: 26 June, 2001
Cap
Gemini announce jobs to go in Scandinavia
Cap Gemini Ernst & Young announced on Tuesday a major cost-cutting
initiative in view of the world economic slowdown. Some jobs will go in
Scandinavia and the company has reduced its profit objectives for the
year.
The
company stated that: "Whilst bookings registered during the first
months of the year were at a satisfactory level, activity in the Group
over the last weeks has experienced a marked slowdown, which has been
evidenced by a change in behaviour of its clients and by the phasing,
delay or even cancellation of a number of important projects."
The subsequent cutbacks will particularly affect financial services in
the United States and Benelux, the high tech sector in the US and in the
Nordic countries and the manufacturing industry in the US. The telecom
sector slowdown was also blamed for the move.
Taking all these factors into account, the company has reduced its revenue
objective for the year to 9 billion Euros (compared to 9.6 billion Euros
at the beginning of the year). Half of the reduction will be made in the
USA, with the balance being split equally between the Telco sector globally
and the de-consolidation in Germany.
The cost cutting plan has already been started and includes:
- 2,700 jobs to go in the United States, United Kingdom, Nordic countries
and telcom operations worldwide,
- 700 support staff transferred to client facing roles
- The suspension of a number of marketing initiatives
- A significant reduction in the companys general expenditure
The costs are expected to be offset by gains of 30 million Euros made
from the sale of the Group’s business process outsourcing activities
in the UK to Vertex.
Nicholas Mead
Starbucks
eye Scandinavia
Nordea have announced that from December, their retail banking outlets
will operate under the Nordea brand.
The
decision to apply unified Nordea branding for the business area Retail
Banking and most subsidiaries of the Group means that Nordbanken in Sweden,
Merita in Finland, Unibank in Denmark and K-bank in Norway will change
their names to Nordea Bank at the beginning of December. The business
areas Asset Management, Corporate and Institutional Banking and several
areas within the Group have already adopted the Nordea brand.
"We have said that the Nordea brand will be applied when it is commercially
sound. In all Nordic markets, among both customers and employees, there
is an increasing demand for changing into Nordea name and branding for
the retail banks. After careful analysis, we have found now is the right
time to move ahead and to send this strong signal to confirm that we are
well underway in our integration work", said Thorleif Krarup, CEO
of Nordea.
"Nordea stands for Nordic Ideas. We share Nordic ideas and exchange
Nordic solutions to create value for customers and thereby for our shareholders.
Nordea aims at helping customers realise their aspirations and we will
be able to do that better under a common strong brand.".
The insurance companies Tryg-Baltica and Vesta will, in Denmark and Norway,
continue to use their current names under the Nordea umbrella in integrated
branding to keep different product lines in bank and insurance distribution
channels without causing confusion although these will also be brought
into line at a later date.
Nicholas Mead
Metro
appoints new Nordic editor
Metro International, known simply as the free daily paper "Metro",
announced on Tuesday that it has appointed Anders Kvarby as Managing Director
of its Nordic Operations.
This
comprises the three editions that make up the largest morning newspaper
in Sweden as well as the Helsinki edition in Finland. Mr Kvarby will start
work for Metro in October 2001. Staffan Samuelsson, the current Managing
Director of Metro Sweden, will be leaving the Group.
Kvarby has worked in the free newspaper industry for 15 years, most recently
as the CEO of Gratistidningar i Stockholm AB, which publishes and distributes
2 million copies of 30 free weekly newspapers in the Stockholm area.
Pelle Törnberg, President and CEO of Metro International, commented:
"We would like to thank Staffan for his significant contribution
to the Group and wish him every success in the future."
"Anders has a wealth of experience in the free newspaper business,
which will be invaluable to us as we build on the success in our Swedish
operations and bring our Finnish operation to profitability. Sweden remains
the model for our international roll-out and offers significant potential
for further sales growth and incremental profitability."
Kvarby said of his appointment: "Metro International is something
totally new in the publishing world and it is a global concept. I was
attracted to Metro by the opportunity to work in a company which is expanding
rapidly into new markets while continuing to grow strongly in its core
markets".
Nicholas Mead
Starbucks
eye Scandinavia
The American coffee shop chain Starbucks is trying to break into the Scandinavian
market, according to Aftenposten.
Starbucks
are reportedly in negotiations with Norwegian kiosk chain Narvesen about
a joint venture.
Starbucks is the world's largest coffee chain with 45,000 employees and
aims to have 650 outlets in Europe by the end of 2003. Narvesen recently
merged with retailer Reitan and already controls a large network of local
kiosks and international franchises in Norway including 7 Eleven, TGI
Fridays and Burger King.
Starbucks have a history of linking up with existing businesses when it
enters new markets and internet site Fritt Kjøpmannsskap has reported
that Sweden and Denmark are next on the list according to Aftonposten.
Nicholas Mead
Skandia
launch first pan-Nordic private bank
Skandia have launched a private banking service covering the entire Nordic
region. SkandiaBanken is forming a private bank for customers in need
of qualified, personal financial services and who want access to more
than their own bank's offering of financial services. The bank aims to
have have two million Nordic customers within five years' time.
The
private bank will be formed through the integration of Skandia Asset Management,
Skandia Marketing and SkandiaBanken. From the onset, the new private bank
will have a million customers and 700 advisors at some 80 locations throughout
the Nordic countries.
Customers will be able to choose from a broad range of Skandia's as well
as other companies' financial services.
"This is a natural step for Skandia," siad Lars-Eric Petersson,
President and CEO of Skandia.
"We have built up unique experience and a depth of knowledge in the
global savings market over a long period of time. We are now mustering
our strengths by integrating our businesses to form the premier private
bank in the Nordic region."
Peter Carrick, currently CEO of Lernia, has been named President of SkandiaBanken,
added:
"We are doing what no one else has previously done in the Nordic
region. We are creating a private bank that is steered by the customers'
preferences. We will be offering a holistic view of our customers' finances
and savings. We are developing our advisory services and building further
upon our focus on diversity and freedom of choice."
Nicholas Mead
Nordic investment bank to launch public offering
Carnegie, the Nordic investment bank, has decided to
launch an initial public offering that could value the group at up to
SKr7.7bn ($750m), a third less than forecast a year ago according to The
Financial Times.
The company claim they think that the time is right for the offering even
in light of the current economic downturn.
"There are signs of a market which is coming back. The mood is changing
from being very negative to being more neutral," Lars Bertmar, chief executive
of the investment banking, securities and asset management group, told
The Financial Times
However, the prospectus for the issue warns: "Carnegie can identify no
definitive sign that the economic environment generally, or the environment
for the securities, investment banking and asset management industries
specifically, will improve in the near term."
Only a year ago, analysts valued the group at about SKr10bn but Bertmar
told The Financial Times he is not worried by the dramatic downturn.
"This is part of a long-term process where our ambition is to take market
shares in a growing market. A year ago we weren't ready to do it."
This will be the biggest IPO in the Nordic region so far this year. About
18 per cent of the group's shares are being sold by existing shareholders
and through a new issue at a price of between SKr95 and SKr115 per share
raising an expected SKr1.23bn ($120m) at the midpoint in the price range.
Nicholas Mead
GE Medical Systems aquires ProAct Medical AB
GE Medical Systems Information Technologies today announced
that it has finalized the acquisition of ProAct Medical AB, a provider
of Picture Archiving and Communications Systems (PACS) and IT storage
solutions for health care providers.
According to Hugin, in addition to the acquisition, both parties have
signed a three-year cooperation agreement in which ProAct IT Group will
provide IT-infrastructure systems to GE Medical Systems Information Technologies
in Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland. This agreement will mean both
companies can collaborate in providing optimized PACS and infrastructure
expertise.
"Scandinavia is an important, growing market for PACS technology in Europe,"
said Gregory Lucier, president and CEO of GE Medical Systems Information
Technologies.
He added: "Together with ProAct Medical, GE strengthens the delivery of
its advanced PACS and infrastructure technology to health care providers
in Scandinavia, so they can make a digital transformation and benefit
from improved workflow, productivity, and patient care."
"I strongly believe that this new business unit created by highly-focused
and skilled teams from both companies will better serve existing and new
customers in the medical market. We will thus continue to address the
medical market in the Nordic region together with the best possible partner
within this field," said ProAct CEO Per-Arne Lundberg.
Nicholas Mead
Russians fear Scandinavian Schengen accord
The five Scandinavian states of Sweden, Norway, Finland,
Denmark and Iceland are due to join the Schengen accord on Sunday, but
Russians fear the change will add further complication to their lives,
according to Agence France Presse.
The Schengen agreement has removed border controls between most EU member
states, but after Scandinavia become a member, all countries in the region
will have to impose stricter border controls with Belarus, Russia and
Ukraine.
The governor of Russia's northern city of Murmansk, which is the key port
for Russia's trade with northern Scandinavia, said on Tuesday that he
feared the move would complicate trade and travel.
"The intensity of regional cooperation, personal and humanitarian contacts
may be affected by visa prices and delays in their issue," Governor Yevgeny
Yevdokimov's spokesman told the Interfax news agency.
Yevdokimov had even suggested to Norway's Foreign Minister Torbjorn Jagland
that national visas should still be issued to residents of border territories
to ease the transition, the spokesman said.
The ambassadors of Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland and Denmark issued
a joint statement Tuesday, assuring Russians that they need not fear any
more complications in obtaining entry to the five states.
They stated that Scandinavia joining the Schengen accord, "will actually
cause few changes in the procedure and terms for issuing visas to Russian
citizens, and will only ease their access to the European states." In
addition, Sweden favors a liberal visa policy for all border territories
in the Baltic region and plans to simplify the visa issue process for
some Murmansk residents, Swedish Ambassador Sven Hirdman said.
However, Norway and Iceland will begin collecting consular fees on entry
visas for Russian citizens, starting on Sunday, Norwegian Ambassador Oyvind
Nordsletten said.
Nicholas Mead
SAS Cargo to be incorporated
At the Board meeting held today in SAS, management was
assigned the task, conditional upon completion of ongoing negotiating
processes, to establish SAS's cargo operations as an independent limited
liability company as of April 1, 2001. Concurrently, the Board gave management
the mandate to initiate negotiations with Lufthansa regarding a minority
interest in the cargo company and commercial cooperation
The intention is to create the best possible platform for
continued competitiveness on the market, which is highly volume dependent.
Through incorporating SAS Cargo, opportunities are created to offer Lufthansa
a minority interest and, consequently, improve the company's future investment
possibilities and at the same time broaden the customer base.
Stockholm Environmental Conference Appeals for Industry Action
The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency's 'State of the World 2001' conference took place on Wednesday in Stockholm and appealed to both businesses and individuals to take a stance over the increase in global warming.
The conference brought together various figures from the world of business and environmental protection in Sweden and welcomed special guests Christopher Flavin and Oisten Dahl from the Worldwatch Institute.
Speaking at the conference, Norweigan Mr Dahl blamed Western lifestyles for effectively giving multinational companies the green light to exploit the environment at an unsustainable rate.
"We have to take a look at our attitudes and make some choices. A recent survey revealed that three in four teenagers say shopping is their major leisure activity. Now if that's the future we are faced with, it's a pretty bleak outlook."
The conference highlighted the current state of the world from a humanitarian as well as environmental perspective highlighting the fact that 1.2 billion of the world's 6 billion people, don't even have access to clean water and survive on under two US dollars a day.
Mr Flavin laid much of the blame for the increase in global warming at the doors of the countries who have failed to honour pledges embodied in the Kyoto Agreement at the Rio Earth Summit in 1992 and also claimed that one of the biggest problems was that political power was increasingly in the hands of the very corporations that were exploiting the environment.
He told the conference: "Regrettably, a lot of political decisions seem to be being taken in the boardrooms rather than in the houses of government and this makes protecting the environment increasingly difficult.
However, Mr Flavin said there was still reason to remain optimistic.
"There are only a handful of countries mainly responsible for two-thirds of the world's major environmental damage, mainly Japan, Russia, China, India, Brazil, South Africa, Indonesia and the USA. If we can change the policies of just one of these, the chances are the rest will follow."
He also pointed to the fact that at national levels, many governments had taken steps to preserving the environment, and that wind power use in partucular was growing at ten times the rate of fossil fuels. He also praised advancements in technology for making renewable sources of technology more financially viable and efficient.
"I urge countries to invest heavily in these sources and be at the forefront of an energy revolution in the way Amercia, through our military, invested heavily in computers to lead that revoultion," Mr Flavin added.
Other speakers at the conference called upon Educational Institutions, and the Church as the main bodies with enough influence to make a stand and change people's attitudes.
Swedish companies ABB and Folksam also made presentations on how their business activities seek to limit environmental damage. Both companies claimed they used public transport for long journeys and Bjorn Hellstrom of ABB illustrated how a journey from Stockholm to Gothenburg by car emits over 8 million times more carbon dioxide than taking the train.
Mr Dahl closed the conference eerily harking back to Albert Einstein who in 1936 already forsaw the environmental problems the world now faces when he said: "The world we have created through how we think, cannot be sustained if we continue to think this way."
He concluded the debate appealing for leadership in the world's environmental and humanitarian issues, quoting Ghandi who famously said: "Do not underestimate the ability of the individual to change the world."
A Scandinavia Now exclusive.
Largest Hotel In Stockholm Opens Doors Stockholm's largest hotel
The Nordic Hotel, was introduced to the press on Thursday. Featuring 542 rooms, the Hotel is unique in that it is divided into two different buildings with two different 'moods' - Nordic Light and Nordic Sea.
The
project is the work of Design Hotels Inc, a company established in 1993
to create what they call "an international lifestyle brand, synonymous
with distinctive architecture and interior design, balanced with functionality
and service.".
The hotel offers rooms ranging from "Extra Small" measuring ten square
metres to "Extra Large" which can range from between 30 and 40 square
metres. An extra small room starts at 1500SEK per night (750SEK at weekends)
whilst an extra large room starts at 2700SEK.
The Nordic Light section, which concentrates on the asthetics of Light
changes throughout, has 175 rooms whilst the Nordic Sea, which features
the theme of Nordic Seafaring, has 367 rooms. The hotel also offers generous
conference facilities with room for 400 people and a cinema for 54 people.
Hotel rooms in Stockholm are notoriously hard to find at conference times
so the Nordic Hotel will is sure to be welcomed by the city's frequent
business travellers, especially since it is located at the entry point
to the Arlanda Express train for the airport.
For more information, visit www.nordichotels.se
Nicholas Mead
Source 
Trygg Hansa acquires
the health company Docco from Framfab
Trygg Hansa, which is part of one the world's biggest
insurance groups, the Royal Sun Alliance Group, is to acquire Docco, a
health company in which Framfab Innovation has a 49.9 per cent shareholding..
The acquisition, which is part of Trygg Hansa's strategic
venture in the health sector, provides us with huge potential in combining
the old and new economies," says Håkan Danielsson, CEO of Trygg
Hansa. It is intended that the venture will be exported to other countries.
In contrast to many other Internet sites, the Docco site will demonstrate
services over the Internet that customers are actually willing to pay
for.
"We judged Docco to be the best positioned player within health services
on Internet. Docco has the necessary prerequisites for becoming a leading
European player covering both corporate and private customers," says Håkan
Danielsson.
"There are considerable synergy effects between the companies and the
acquisition will benefit all involved parties. We now have a very strong
position ahead of our European launch," says Anders Lindgren, CEO of Docco.
Docco has established a position as one of Sweden's leading e-health companies.
In spring 2001, Docco will launch a complete package of interactive corporate
services on the Internet addressing growing occupational health problems
such as those related to stress, working environment, diet and exercise.
Docco's range of services provides companies with completely new tools
for preventive health care for employees. The parties have agreed not
to disclose the purchase sum.
Scandic to open new hotel in prime location in Copenhagen
Scandic Hotels, has, today, entered into an agreement to buy the HK trade union's head office building, next to the Tivoli Gardens in central Copenhagen. Scandic will take possession of the building in October 2002 and, in May 2003, will inaugurate an ultramodern hotel in one of Copenhagen's most renowned and prominent buildings. Scandic will, thus, reinforce its position as both the Nordic region's and Denmark's biggest hotel operator.
The hotel will comprise 207 ultramodern rooms and conference facilities
with a view over the whole of Copenhagen. Hans G. Frank, Managing Director
of Business Area Denmark, regards the new hotel as an exciting expansion
of Scandic's hotel and conference facilities in the capital city area.
"The building was Copenhagen's first 18-story high-rise block and was
built as a hotel in 1955. Until 1982, it was a landmark in Copenhagen
as the Hotel Europa and since then the building has been used as HK's
head office. I am pleased that Scandic now has the opportunity to create
an exciting hotel in this remarkable building,"
Hans Frank says, and adds, "The new Scandic Hotel is situated within walking
distance of the entire centre of Copenhagen. There is, quite simply, no
better location in Copenhagen and I am, therefore, both pleased and proud
that we can compliment the five hotels we already run in the C
French-Swedish order for series production of BONUS
The Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV) has awarded Bofors Weapon Systems AB, Sweden, and the French company GIAT Industries, a contract for series production of the intelligent artillery shell designated BONUS. The negotiations were conducted in close co-operation with Direction GŽnŽral l'Armament (DGA) the French equivalent to FMV.
FMV is the
contract signee for both countries requirements. This now signed contract
for series production of the BONUS shell is the result of many years of
R&D work performed by both of the above companies, within the framework
of a joint Industrial Co-operation Agreement signed between France and
Sweden at the beginning of the 1990's. BONUS is a top-attack field artillery
shell for combating armored targets such as Main Battle Tanks and other
armored vehicles. The shell is fired from a great distance away in to
the target area, where it ejects submunitions each projectile at it from
above. The Parties have contracted to purchase 9000 BONUS shells. The
total cost for the programme, including development, tests and trials
is 2 700 MSEK. DGA and FMV will each bear their own costs in proportion
to the quantities ordered by their respective countries. Deliveries will
commence towards the end of the year 2001, and the final delivery will
be made in year 2008.
Source
The automotive industry's production systems will be developed within Euromation AB in future with the aid of advanced VR simulation and analytical and computational technology. Turnover within Euromation AB is currently SEK 210 million and is considered to have strong future growth potential. In addition to Semcon, the following companies are involved with the new venture: the Volvo Car Corporation (VCC) within the Ford Group and the Volvo Truck Component Corporation (VTCC) and Volvo Technology Transfer (VTT) from the Volvo Group.
In the new company, Semcon will be involved in high-tech development projects to develop more and more advanced production systems. Here collaboration with Semcon will mean that strategic competence is linked to business in the long term whilst new methods and modes of working such as VR simulation (virtual reality) and advanced analytical and computational systems are quickly introduced.
Semcon's ambition for the speedy development within advanced production technology has been realised through the formation of Euromation AB, whilst new opportunities for involvement in comprehensive development projects within the automotive industry globally have increased.
For
further information, please visit
Corporate
Website
Corporate E-Mail
FLETCHER CHALLENGE OBTAINS COURT ORDERS IN NEW ZEALAND
Fletcher Challenge today received initial orders and directions from the High Court of New Zealand in relation to the proposed sale of its Paper Division to Norske Skogindustrier ASA.
These initial orders set down the procedural steps the Court requires Fletcher Challenge to take in order to proceed by way of a Court-sanctioned arrangement.
The company is to hold a special meeting of its shareholders at 10.00am on 4 July 2000 at the Ellerslie Convention Centre, Auckland, at which its shareholders will vote on the proposed arrangement between Fletcher Challenge, Norske Skog (through a wholly owned subsidiary) and Fletcher ChallengeÕs shareholders.
Distribution of Shareholders Material
Fletcher Challenge will shortly be commencing distribution of shareholder materials, including a notice of meeting and an explanatory memorandum explaining the proposal in detail.
Subject to Fletcher Challenge shareholder approvals, final Court approvals and satisfaction of certain regulatory and other conditions, it is currently anticipated that the transaction will close on 28 July 2000.
For
more information, please see
Corporate Website
VALMET CONVERTS KYMI PM 8 TO WOODFREE COATED PAPERS UPM-Kymmene orders the rebuild of Kymi's PM 8 at Kuusankoski, Finland from Valmet, Metso Corporation's fiber and paper technology business area. Originally supplied by Valmet and started up in 1983, the line will be converted to coated paper production. The cost of the Valmet deal will be about Euro 150 million and the modernized line will start up in the fall of 2001.
The project incorporates Valmet's new OptiConcept technology, the bulk of the deal consisting of a new off-machine OptiCoater coating line. The paper machine will be modernized with the very latest fine paper technology, allowing a production speed of 1500 m/min. The rebuild also includes air systems, finishing and packaging.
The production capacity of the 8.5-meter-wide machine will be 400,000 tonnes of coated woodfree papers. The conversion, originally announced in December 1999, is a strategic step towards meeting the growing demands for coated papers in commercial printing.
The plant will be delivered by Valmet's Järvenpää, Jyväskylä, Hollola, Raisio and Turku works. The state-of-the-art quality and control automation will be supplied by Neles Automation of Tampere, another business area of the Metso Corporation.
For
more information, please see
Corporate Website
NEW GSM NETWORK IN JORDAN Ericsson and MobileCom have signed a frame contract for a new nationwide GSM network in Jordan. The initial order is valued at more than US$ 35 million.
Ericsson will deliver a full GSM infrastructure and service portfolio, enabling MobileCom to offer its customers the latest in advanced GSM services.
The build-out of the network will begin immediately. Services will be launched in the early autumn of this year, with plans to expand the system up to a capacity of 300,000 subscribers in the very near future.
Roaming in the East
The new GSM network, the nation’s second, will further enable easy roaming in the Middle East and beyond by MobileCom’s customers.
Ericsson has a strong commitment to growing technological expertise and capabilities in the markets where it does business. Under the agreement, Ericsson will train MobileCom staff as well as its own local staff.
For
further information, please visit
Corporate Website
Sales E-Mail
Wireless Solutions becomes a member of Wireless Ethernet Compatibility Alliance (WECA) in America. This organization works to ensure that all products and systems, which are based on Wireless Lan IEEE 802.11b (High Rate), should be compatible with one another regardless of the manufacturer. Together with 3Com, Cisco and IBM, etc., Wireless Solutions, as a new member, will now work to promote a global technology platform within W-Lan.
“That the technology suppliers have now decided on a standard within W- LAN is enormously important for our customers, who have previously suffered as a result of different technology platforms,” Pär Bergsten, President of Wireless Solutions. “At the same time as the membership is an acceptance of Wireless Solutions’ products and technologies, we get closer to some of the foremost companies in the world and, in addition, to large target groups.”
WECA was formed in 1999 and is a non-profit-making organization that currently totals 36 member companies. In addition to Wireless Solutions, 3Com, Apple, Cisco, Compaq, Dell, IBM, Lucent, Nokia, Philips, Samsung, Siemens and Sony Corporation are included. WECA has produced a test series in which W-Lan products are tested for interoperability. If the products meet the set specifications, they are marked with the Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) logo. This symbol will assure consumers that marked products work together despite different manufacturers.
FACTS
Wireless Solutions AB (WS) develops products and systems for wireless
communication. The company works with a broad technology base such as
GSM, GPRS/EDGE, W-LAN, Telemetry and Bluetooth. Through the Homewave and
BizzWave product families, WS is alone in being able to offer complete
W-LAN and Bluetooth product families for offices and homes. WS’s
intention is to collaborate with large OEM companies that have marketing
and distribution channels. A distribution agreement with RFI Elektronik
GmbH, the largest distributor of portable computers in Germany, means
that all products in the Bluetooth segment that RFI is planning will be
developed and supplied by Wireless Solutions. The market for wireless
solutions is as large as the number of cables currently attached to all
computers, telephones and hands-free sets in the world. The company was
included in the Allgon Group in 1999.
For further information, please visit
Corporate Website
Sales E-Mail
ERICSSON SIGNS CONTRACT IN THE UKRAINE
Ericsson has signed a contract with Digital Cellular Communications (DCC) for the expansion of DCC’s existing TDMA (IS-136) network in the Ukraine. The contract, valued at USD 35 million, is the largest signed contract by Ericsson in the Ukraine, and it is the start of a larger expansion deal with DCC worth USD 135 million.This is the fifth expansion order placed with Ericsson by DCC, and it is in response to the rapid subscriber growth in DCC’s mobile network. DCC will be able to continue its expansion and increase its capacity and coverage in the Ukraine. The roll-out will be completed during this year.
The contract includes the latest Ericsson dual-mode (analog/digital) radio-base station (RBS 884), the new MSC 300 switching center that is based on the AXE-10 hardware platform and services such as PrePaid and Voice Mail.
Fast-Growing Operator
“DCC is one of the fastest growing operators in the Ukraine and has a long-term relationship with Ericsson,” says Leif Edwall, the president of Ericsson’s company in the Ukraine. “With this expansion order, mobile services such as PrePaid will be added into the network, which will help DCC to grow even further.”
ABOUT THE UKRAINE
The Ukraine is the second largest country in Europe—with a population of 50 million. The present economic situation in the region notwithstanding, the Ukraine is investing in telecommunications infrastructure to support its future.
For further information, please visit
Ericsson Pressroom
Info E-Mail
ANOTHER WIN FOR HALDEX
Haldex has been awarded the task to deliver the AWD system (All Wheel Drive) for a new concept car that is currently under development by a European car manufacturer. The car will be exhibited toward the end of the current year.
The assignment confirms Haldex leadership on the market for electronically controlled systems for four-wheel drive.
In addition to the ongoing serial deliveries to the VW/Audi Group and the recently announced one-billion SEK order for serial deliveries starting 2001/2002 from another European car manufacturer, Haldex now works with seven other car manufacturers in Europe, the U.S.A., and Japan involving different AWD projects.
Global Supplier to Auto Industry
Haldex is a global supplier of proprietary products for trucks, cars and industrial vehicles, with special emphasis on performance & safety. The Group is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and has yearly sales of 6 BSEK with 4,150 employees. The Group has sales companies in Europe, North & South America and Asia. Production takes place at 8 factories in Europe, 8 in the U.S. and 1 in India and Brazil.For
further information, please visit
Haldex Website
Info E-Mail
Ericsson and Guangdong Mobile Communications Co. Ltd. have signed a contract for the sixth expansion of GMCC’s GSM network. Under the contract, Ericsson will provide GMCC with network infrastructure equipment, software and services that is valued at more than USD 630 million.
Upon completion of the expansion project early next year, the capacity of GMCC’s dual band GSM 900/1800 network will exceed 18 million subscribers. This is the largest GSM expansion project in China to date.
More Bandwidth
Under the contract, Ericsson will deliver R8 software (Release 8 of the Ericsson GSM system), designed to support the introduction of higher- bandwidth data and multimedia services and thereby the evolution of GSM to 3G and a wide range of wireless communications, information and entertainment services.
Ericsson will also provide GMCC with its Enhanced Full Rate speech-coder solution, which improves the voice quality of GSM, particularly for the voices of women and children, which have higher frequencies than those of men.
Largest Venture in China
Equipment will be supplied by Ericsson’s largest joint venture in China: Nanjing Ericsson Communications Company Ltd. Deliveries will commence in April of 2000 and continue throughout the rest of the year.
Ericsson first established its business relationship with GMCC in 1987, with the first contract for analogue TACS mobile network equipment. Since then, Ericsson has cooperated with GMCC very closely in building up a mobile network in Guangdong.
For
further information, please visit
Ericsson Pressroom
Ericsson E-Mail
SONERA AND YIT DEVELOP THE FUTURE
Sonera Corporation and YIT Corporation have signed a letter of intent on establishing a joint venture for the home-networking business. The task of the joint venture to be established is to network old and new residential properties by broadband data networks.
The company provides the customers with terminal equipment and data transmission solutions meeting with the requirements. Moreover, it introduces new content services related to habitation into the homes. The ownership shares in the company to be established will be specified at a later stage.
The home networking business is expanding rapidly, and it offers a large growth potential for new products and services. The companies estimate that the revenues from the business in Finland will amount to more than FIM one billion by the year 2004.
New Joint Venture
The owners’ extensive basic expertise and existing service mixes are combined in the new joint venture in a creative manner: Sonera’s expertise in broadband networks and Internet technology is linked with YIT’s competence in construction and maintenance of residential properties.
The joint venture to be established offers its services and products to real-estate owners and builders, service providers, advertisers, and residents. The business idea of the company is to compile a comprehensive service package, ranging from consultation (already at the planning stage), network construction and housing equipment to service provision and permanent customer support. Service provision is based on the new company’s networking with the equipment, service and content providers of the field.