Premier Integration Program Enhances GE Intelligent Platforms Services For Commercial And Communications Applications

 

CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA   April 27, 2010 GE Intelligent Platforms today announced the Premier Integration Program, designed to enable customers to acquire complete, integrated systems while reducing development expense and minimizing time-to-market.   The first two members of the program are Elma Electronic Inc. and NEI who bring substantial design, development and integration skills and experience to the commercial/ MicroTCA and telecommunications/AdvancedTCA markets respectively. 
 
"Many of our customers have migrated to a software focus and are therefore looking for us to deliver complete integrated platforms," said Rubin Dhillon, Communications Product Manager at GE Intelligent Platforms. "They need a one-stop shop that offers the board level products, enclosure, software and integration necessary for a complete system solution.    At the same time, there is growing discomfort in the industry about “vendor lock-in” as many system vendors offer inflexible platforms with limited choices for boards and blades. The Premier Integration Program is designed to deliver customers a sustainable competitive advantage by adopting innovative technologies and forming long term partnerships that will meet their needs across multiple generations of product development. It brings best of breed system platforms, taking advantage of the skills and expertise of acknowledged leaders in their field and offering improved flexibility by leveraging a multi-vendor array of COTS products in modular system designs."
 
Modular system design has become the standard in commercial and telecommunications markets, since this is an effective means to reduce development expense and optimize time to market. These modular systems designs rely on COTS (commercial off-the-shelf) solutions that can offer leading edge price/performance while protecting hardware investments; as technology advances, new modules can be plugged in without replacing the entire system. Modularity also encourages the growth of a multi-vendor ecosystem that increases competition and decreases costs. However, integrating multi-vendor systems can be difficult, adding risk, time and expense. Members of the GE Intelligent Platforms Premier Integration Program have the skills and experience necessary to deliver complete, qualified and fully tested systems at lower cost and with less lead-time while providing a single point of contact from evaluation through purchase to installation and support.
 
"Today, very few companies can provide the level of integration expertise and experience necessary for sophisticated systems. Through this program customers are not locked in to a single vendor, but can get the best possible solution based on component expertise," said Shan Morgan, Senior Vice President of Elma Electronic Inc. "This initiative from GE Intelligent Platforms provides a real alternative to the historical single vendor model, and we're delighted to be part of it."
 
"NEI is very pleased to be among the first to be affiliated with this program," said Jeff Hudgins, Vice President of Marketing at NEI. "Customers unquestionably value what an experienced, independent integrator can bring in terms of helping them manage the entire lifecycle of a program – from the initial design of the solution through procuring the optimum components to providing comprehensive after-sales support services.”
 
Elma Electronic and NEI will focus on the North American market. Over time, GE expects to add further affiliates in North America and also in the Europe, Middle East and Africa and Asia Pacific regions. The program may also be extended beyond the commercial and telecommunications markets.    
 
 
 
About GE Intelligent Platforms
GE Intelligent Platforms is an experienced high-performance technology company and a global provider of software, hardware, services, and expertise in automation and embedded computing. We offer a unique foundation of agile and reliable technology providing customers a sustainable advantage in the industries they serve, including energy, water, consumer packaged goods, government & defense, and telecommunications. GE Intelligent Platforms is headquartered in Charlottesville, VA. For more information, visit www.ge-ip.com.
 
 
Contact:
Ian McMurray, GE Intelligent Platforms
+44 (0) 1327 322821
 
 
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