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Continental AG Selects IBM Lotus Software as Common Messaging Platform

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Continental AG, a leading automotive supplier, has undergone a significant transformation after acquiring Siemens VDO. The merged entity, with a combined user base of 100,000 employees, faced the challenge of integrating multiple messaging platforms. Despite having 40,000 Microsoft Exchange and Outlook users from Siemens VDO, Continental chose IBM Lotus Notes and Domino as their common messaging platform. The decision was driven by lower licensing and operating costs, as well as greater platform independence. Continental also deployed IBM Lotus Quickr and Sametime for collaboration and unified communications.

Key Takeaways:

  • Continental AG acquired Siemens VDO, resulting in a combined user base of 100,000 employees, with 40,000 Microsoft Exchange and Outlook users from the acquired company.
  • The company selected IBM Lotus Notes and Domino as their common messaging platform after evaluating migration scenarios, including switching to the Exchange platform or migrating to third-party open source products or hosted services.
  • The evaluation considered software interdependencies and license-related costs, with IBM Lotus software offering lower infrastructure costs and greater platform independence.
  • Continental chose IBM Lotus Quickr for team and project collaboration due to its simplicity, direct integration with Lotus Notes, and lower infrastructure and licensing costs.
  • The company is expanding its use of Lotus Quickr and Lotus Sametime for on-line and real-time collaboration, as well as employing new Enterprise 2.0 functions such as tagging and alerting.
  • IBM Lotus software is integrated with other Continental systems, including power train and chassis systems, instrumentation, and vehicle electronics.
  • Continental is a partner in networked automobile communication and employs nearly 140,000 people at around 190 locations in 35 countries.

Statistics:

  • Continental AG has a combined user base of 100,000 employees, with 40,000 Microsoft Exchange and Outlook users from Siemens VDO.
  • The company evaluated migration scenarios for 34,000 IBM Lotus Domino and Notes software users, considering switching to Exchange, third-party open source products, or hosted services.
  • Continental selected IBM Lotus Notes and Domino due to lower licensing and operating costs, with infrastructure costs estimated to be 15% lower than with Microsoft Exchange.
  • The company plans to expand its use of Lotus Quickr and Lotus Sametime, with the goal of increasing on-line and real-time collaboration within the company.
  • Continental has revenue of over EUR 24 billion in 2008, contributing to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection.

Sources:

  • MARKET WIRE via COMTEX, Stuttgart, Germany, Apr 02, 2009
  • IBM (NYSE: IBM), http://www.ibm.com/software/lotus
  • Comtex News Network, Inc., SmarTrend Alert, 03-29-2009

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