October 4, 2005

Lufthansa Systems and Siemens offer innovative solution for IP telephony

Lufthansa Systems and Siemens are working together to introduce a company-wide voice communication system for Deutsche Lufthansa. This system is based on modern IP (Internet Protocol) technology. The agreement, which was signed in September, initially calls for Lufthansa’s major German sites to be equipped with the Siemens HiPath communication system. The connection of other German and international sites will follow. Lufthansa’s goal is to permanently lower the costs for the service and operation of its telecommunication infrastructure. At the same time, employees will receive access to an efficient communication platform which standardizes the processing of voice mail, faxes and email, thus simplifying information management.

In response to a call for tenders by Lufthansa AG, Lufthansa Systems and Siemens developed a joint concept which enabled the partners to triumph over renowned international competitors. The core element of the concept is the innovative IP-based HiPath technology from Siemens. This allows telephone calls to be made over existing data networks (IP telephony). In the future, therefore, it will be possible for Lufthansa’s voice communications to be handled by existing networks.

“Due to considerably less administrative effort and the centralized operation of the communication systems, will we be able to lower our costs permanently,” said Wolfgang F.W. Gohde, CEO of Lufthansa Systems, describing the advantages. “There will be additional savings potential if the employees use the existing data networks for telephone calls between sites.”

The convergence of voice and data transmission will provide employees with a number of valuable new services which enable efficient information management. These new functions include a Unified Messaging Service (UMS) and Computer Telephony Integration (CTI). UMS makes it possible to receive and process email, faxes and voice mail centrally in a single computer application. CTI provides for a more far-reaching integration of telephones and computers. For example, it allows users to configure their telephones over the intranet in order to set up call forwarding or to call a contact number directly from an application.

“Siemens HiPath is a modular portfolio consisting of multifunctional communication and security solutions. It enables companies to set up a modern, real-time communication landscape, and it helps increase productivity in the workplace,” explained Uwe Bartmann, manager for the Rhine-Main region and director of Siemens Communications Rhine-Main, speaking at the signing of the contract.