NCR, Lucent to Tackle Wireless LANs

As part of a $25 million dollar agreement announced this week, Dayton, OH-based NCR Corp. will offer Lucent Technologies' (Murray Hill, NJ) Systimax Structured Connectivity Solutions (SCS). Systimax SCS is a cabling system designed to simultaneously carry data, voice, video, and intelligent building management applications. Lucent's Systimax systems, which include WaveLAN, OptiSPEED, Power Sum, and GigaSPEED will be sold in conjunction with planning, design, implementation, and operational services offered by NCR Worldwide Networking Solutions (WNS).

Emerging wireless LANs
A major sales target of the companies is the emerging market for wireless LANs. Designed for a mobile workforce, Lucent's WaveLAN delivers wireless connectivity. This allows users to create instant extensions to existing LANs anywhere in their corporate networks without having to "plug in." For example, a visiting executive can sit in a conference room and connect to the campus network without wires using WaveLAN.

The design and installation of wireless LANs requires specialized skills and experiences that most users do not have—a perfect opening for NCR's integration expertise, the company said. NCR's WNS group provides a range of services that help businesses plan, design, implement and operate networks. The group consists of more than 18,000 service professionals in 1,100 locations across 130 countries. The deal also opens another major worldwide channel for Lucent products, the company said.