Paris, May 5, 2009

 

 

Orange Business Services is deploying Cisco Unified Communications and Contact Center solutions across the North American operations of Legrand, the world leader in products and systems for electrical installations and information networks for use in commercial, industrial and residential markets. The implementation will payback in the first year alone and generate cost-savings annually for Legrand, while enhancing collaboration and customer service, all during a time of uncertainty and flux in the buildings market.

 

The centralized Cisco Unified MeetingPlace solution will be used by 25 of Legrand’s North American sites, creating a media-rich video conferencing experience to boost internal collaboration for more than 1,100 employees. The engagement brings video conferencing in-house, reducing Legrand’s dependence on a variety of third party web-conferencing vendors and eliminating the additional costs that came with maintaining these relationships.

 

“With the help of Orange Business Services consultants, we did the math and identified a Cisco solution which could maximize our initial investment in record time, while producing more efficiency for us later down the road,” said Sonny Reid, global network director, Legrand. “Companies should not be leery of investing in their technology infrastructures; if anything the current economic downturn is the absolute right time to do so. It’s given us a clear path for operating efficiently and wisely during this challenging period of time.”

 

Similar integration is also occurring on Legrand’s customer-facing applications. Orange Business Services consulted on the implementation of Cisco Unified Contact Center Express across four Legrand business units. This solution will reduce total cost of ownership for Legrand by converging disparate systems into a single contact center system, reducing maintenance and support costs. Additionally, support services can now be distributed, reducing the need to hire locally.

 

Following North America, Legrand will explore expanding the Cisco Unified MeetingPlace globally to reduce travel costs.

 

 

The Legrand engagement proves that Orange Business Services is expanding beyond the role of network provider, becoming a complete communications solutions consultancy for its clients. Orange consultants are wholly incorporated into Legrand’s internal IP Telephony group, leading with architecture design and super-user training programs, as well managing and executing integration projects.

 

“Unlike other vendors we considered, Orange Business Services offered unique synergies that were hard to ignore,” said Reid. “The depth of their portfolio was extraordinary. At a moment’s notice they could reach across their network and pull in the appropriate expert or solution to fit our needs. The level of professional resources and expertise they brought to the table was exceptional. They were more a trusted advisor than a vendor.”

 

 

Legrand is the global specialist in products and systems for electrical installations and information networks where people live and work. Its comprehensive offering of solutions for use in commercial, industrial and residential markets makes it a benchmark for suppliers worldwide. Innovation for a steady flow of new products with high added value is a prime vector for growth. Legrand employed 34,800 people around the globe and reported sales of €4.2 billion in 2008. The company is listed on Euronext and is a component stock of indexes including the SBF120. FTSE4Good and MSCI World (ISIN code FR0010307819). www.legrandelectric.com

 

 

Orange is the key brand of France Telecom, one of the world’s leading telecommunications operators. With 123 million customers, the Orange brand now covers Internet, television and mobile services in the majority of countries where the Group operates. At the end of 2008, France Telecom had consolidated sales of 53.5 billion euros (12.7 billion euros for the first quarter of 2009) and at 29 April 2009, the Group had a customer base of almost 184 million customers in 30 countries. These include 123 million mobile customers worldwide and 13 million broadband Internet (ADSL) customers in Europe. Orange is the number three mobile operator and the number one provider of broadband Internet services in Europe and, under the brand Orange Business Services, is one of the world leaders in providing telecommunication services to multinational companies.

 

The Group's strategy, which is characterized by a strong focus on innovation, convergence and effective cost management, aims to establish Orange as an integrated operator and benchmark for new telecommunications services in Europe. Today the Group remains focused on its core activities as a network operator, while working to develop its position in new growth activities. To meet customer expectations, the Group strives to provide products and services that are simple and user-friendly, while maintaining a sustainable and responsible business model that can be adapted to the requirements of a fast-paced and changing eco-system.

 

France Telecom (NYSE:FTE) is listed on Euronext Paris (compartment A) and on the New York Stock Exchange.