BT

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Working with BT for the MOD in Germany

“Fujitsu are our hands and our tools in Germany. We’re very, very close and there's real trust between us.”

The Challenge

The UK Ministry of Defence (MOD) needed to communicate securely between 33 military sites in Germany as well as overseas and within the UK.

The contract in Germany was an addition to the existing Defence Fixed Telecommunications Services (DFTS) in the UK. This is one of the most successful PFI contracts, covering 230000 phone and data users at 1600 sites in the UK. DFTS is on course to save more than £700m for the MOD since contract let in 1997.

At the time when this contract work commenced, BT identified Fujitsu as a partner to support its operations in Germany. A relationship has existed for some time between BT and Fujitsu to maintain DFTS services.

Due to the success of this, BT decided to expand the relationship to include all of the services supported by the DFTS contract in Germany. The necessary contract was signed between BT and Fujitsu and the operation in Germany was expanded to cover the support and performance requirements.

The Solution

Fujitsu now supports telephone services, data transfer, IT networks and platforms for 15,000 users. They are also responsible for two TV channels and a secure radio network.

Fujitsu provides a helpdesk, maintenance support which includes a single point of contact for manufacturer support covering a wide range of communications equipment in Germany aswell as project support for BT in the installation and design of new equipment and systems.

Benefits for MOD

Cost reduction.

This is a PFI project and, like the larger UK version, significantly reduces the MOD's capital and operating costs in Germany.

Security and dependability.

The service allows secure communication between units in Germany and the UK. Data, voice traffic, images and messages are encrypted before transmission. A new network has been installed and this technology is being replicated across all of the military sites in the UK to form the Common Core Platform.

Defence modernisation.

The contract contributes to the Defence Modernisation Programme by maintaining stable wide-area network telecommunication services - critical to the successful deployment of the Defence Information Infrastructure (Future).

9-hour service restoration.

The contract demands 9-hour service restoration for some mission-critical parts of the communications network. This tough service level agreement is delivered by Fujitsu engineers across 33 military installations over a 60,000 square mile area of Germany, from Moenchengladbach to Hohne.

Benefits for BT

Seamless service.

Fujitsu are responsible for delivering DFTS in Germany, their staff working seamlessly with BT in the UK. Only one direct BT employee manages the contract in Germany, every other role is fulfilled by Fujitsu. According to Ray Storer, BT Operations and Services Manager for DFTS Germany, 'The changeover was seamless and Fujitsu staff think and act like BT staff.'

Taking responsibility.

Ray said: 'It's important to highlight how strong our relationship is. It is not just a question of one manager in Fujitsu talking to one manager in BT. There is a whole range of people that are responsible for making this very, very complex partnership work - BT people and Fujitsu people, in Germany and the UK.'

'If you were at a meeting you would have difficulty identifying who are the BT people and who are Fujitsu, because the relationship is so well developed.'

Innovation and flexibility.

Ray commented, 'Although we designed the network, there are always some small issues that require innovation and flexibility at the point of delivery. In these cases Fujitsu have been our hands and our tools to provide that vital work and support at the provision side.'

Dedication and commitment.

'Fujitsu staff show the highest possible level of dedication and commitment. I have always been impressed with the pro-active attitude of the managers I have been dealing with in Germany.' Ray pointed out.

Implementation

The contract started on 1 February 2004 and in the first months Fujitsu delivered an extremely complex training plan. Fujitsu engineers were retrained for new areas and techniques alongside staff transferred from the MOD via TUPE who trained in IT and network support.

The contract still calls for regular technology updates, ensuring that the MOD always has the highest level of communications capabilities.

Expertise

The seven year contract builds on a long-standing relationship between BT and Fujitsu, working on DFTS, RLI, SLI and Packet Switch Systems.

Ray concluded, 'As the only BT employee working on the contract in Germany, I know I can rely on the support provided by Fujitsu, both by the on-site engineers and the managers in Germany.'