RNS Number:2187S
Thus Group PLC
14 April 2008
JOHNSTON PRESS HOME NETWORK ADVANTAGE
THUS expands managed network solution for leading UK publishing group
14th April 2008 - THUS plc today announced the renewal and expansion of its
contract with the UK's leading local publishing group, Johnston Press plc. In
addition to THUS continuing to deliver the core next-generation network (NGN)
for Johnston Press, the regional and online publisher will hand over control of
its infrastructure to THUS. This fully managed solution will deliver a bespoke
network designed to consolidate and rationalise transfer of data within the
group. THUS has been chosen as a key technology partner as Johnston Press
implements a network that enables the transition from traditional to digital
media as well as supporting wider business objectives.
As a leading news publishing organisation, Johnston Press relies on the movement
of data and information securely and efficiently across its network. Whether it
is the need to update online content or meet print deadlines, it's crucial that
the organisation has the right information in the right place at the right time.
The THUS designed network infrastructure will allow Johnston Press to house key
business systems for advertising, editorial and production in resilient secure
locations managed by THUS. The systems will be accessed from local offices using
THUS's NGN.
THUS has delivered an NGN solution for Johnston Press for more than three years.
During this time the relationship has evolved to a point where the company has
entrusted full responsibility to THUS for the delivery of a telecoms
infrastructure that supports its strategic business aims. This managed solution
ensures that THUS has the level of insight and understanding of Johnston Press'
strategic aims and day to day needs and delivers a solution that is secure,
responsive and resilient.
Roger Davies, IT Director, Johnston Press said: "We chose to further develop the
relationship with THUS as no other provider could match its pedigree in
next-generation networks. Our unique requirements; involving large scale hosting
environments, high capacity wavelength services and high levels of resilience,
meant we needed to work with a company that understands our business but more
importantly, one we could trust.."
Phil Male, Chief Operating Officer at THUS plc said: "This contract expansion is
testament to our consultative approach which gives us a real insight into our
client's future business needs and as a result, we provide what our customers
need now, and a communication solution that has the flexibility and scalability
to grow with them in the future. Our managed solution approach allows us to
align our service to the needs of our customers and deliver an unrivalled
quality of service."
As the largest regional press publisher in the UK Johnston Press has 318 local
newspaper titles as well as magazine publishing interests and extensive contact
printing activities. The Group's Digital Publishing division maintains more than
338 web sites, read by almost 8 million people per month. The network solution
from THUS will support Johnston Press' strategy and the future-proofed network
reflects the nature of the modern news agenda ensuring availability every minute
of every day. THUS's network will enable Johnston Press to fully realise the
benefits of scale associated with moving to a single supplier environment.
In addition to the quality of the network solution, the renewal and expansion of
Johnston Press' contract with THUS owes much to the benefits of a cohesive
internal resource managing the client relationship. The end-to-end Managed
Solutions 'wrap' evolves with the customer's needs and ensures the customer
enjoys a high level of personal and technical service support.
ENDS
Owen Campbell Rebecca Honeyman
Senior Product Communication Executive Hotwire
THUS plc. Tel: +44 (0) 207 608 4628
Tel: +44 (0) 141 566 3361 e-mail: THUS@hotwirepr.com
e-mail: owen.campbell@thus.net
web: www.THUS.net
Notes to Editors
About THUS
THUS is a UK-focussed business telecommunications company boasting the UK's
first next-generation network. THUS delivers innovative and effective solutions
to large organisations in the fast changing communications environment. Its
early implementation of MPLS IP VPN technology put it at the forefront of
convergent solutions enabling it to develop the expertise that customers need
today and in the future.
Under the Demon brand, THUS also offers a full suite of advanced business
communication services to small and medium-sized enterprises, ranging from
broadband and MPLS to High Speed Internet and VoIP.
THUS has achieved ISO/IEC 27001:2005, widely recognised as the leading benchmark
for information security management systems, for the Information Security
Management System supporting its MPLS-based next-generation network. In
addition, THUS has maintained ISO 9001:2000, an internationally recognised
standard for quality management systems for internal processes and procedures.
THUS was one of the first UK telecommunications service providers to achieve
full ISO 9001:2000 certification for voice, data and Internet in 2003.
THUS plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange
For further information visit http://www.thus.net and http://www.demon.net.
About Johnston Press
*The only UK publicly quoted company solely focused on the regional press
sector.
*Publishes 318 local and regional newspapers across UK and Republic of
Ireland (RoI), including 18 daily, 166 paid-weekly, 132 free weekly and 2
Sunday titles.
*The largest regional press publisher in the UK in terms of number of
titles and the largest publisher of paid-weekly titles in RoI.
*Produces a range of other publications, such as lifestyle magazines and
classified directories, focused on the needs of local communities and
specialist interest groups.
*The Group's Digital Publishing Division maintains over 338 websites which
reach 7.9 million unique users per month and generate 76.9 million page
impressions.
*The Print Division undertakes contract work for 3rd party publishers such
as News International in addition to the Group's own work.
*Newspaper publishing operations comprise 50 publishing companies within 7
divisions with a total of approximately 9,000 employees.
This information is provided by RNS
The company news service from the London Stock Exchange
END
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