Marking the start of a busy week for the Japanese IT and networking firm, NEC first announced a partnership agreement has been made with Intermedia on Wednesday, paving the way for its “rapid global expansion into cloud-based communications and collaboration services”.
Using Intermedia's proprietary technology in Unified Communications as a Service (UCaaS) and Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS), NEC has created two new platforms: NEC UNIVERGE BLUE® CONNECT, a fully integrated and born-in-the-cloud UCaaS solution; and NEC UNIVERGE BLUE® ENGAGE, a CCaaS solution for businesses of all sizes.
“The global NEC Group continues to be committed to helping customers solve a wide array of both business and societal issues and challenges, not the least of which is building a sustainable and more efficient society through the digital transformation of business infrastructure,” said Kimihiko Fukuda, SVP, NEC Corporation and President, NEC Platforms, Ltd.
“This partnership for the delivery of cloud-based communications, collaboration, and contact centre solutions with Intermedia allows NEC and its global network of partners to build toward a brighter future with the utmost care for quality, cost, and customer service," said Fukuda
Two days later, NEC announced it had won a $190 million (YEN20 billion deal) with Sumitomo Corporation to manufacture and launch its first satellite system outside of Japan: a LOTUSat-1 Earth observation satellite system in Vietnam.
The order also marks the first satellite project by a Japanese company using Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds from the Japan International Cooperation Agency. It includes development of a ground system and providing training in technology related to satellite development and operation processes.
The satellite is scheduled to launch around 2023 and will also contribute to measuring natural disasters and climate change in Vietnam.
NEC will provide a completed ground system, including a 9 meter-diameter parabolic antenna, satellite control centre, and mission data utilization centre and user interface which is based on NEC's "GroundNEXTAR" (*4) software package. The system will be installed at a space centre in Hoa Lac being established and operated by the VNSC.
