Schlumberger Puts New Local Application Development Centers `On the Doorstep' for Mobile Operators

`Proximity and Process' Cut Development Cycles and Time to Market for New Services

Schlumberger Test & Transactions, a business segment of Schlumberger Limited (NYSE: SLB), today announced that Schlumberger has added a further seven centers to its Wireless Application Services (WAS) development network, providing the local presence essential for rapid and flexible service delivery. WAS is the only service of its kind to focus exclusively on development of value added services for mobile telecommunication operators, and this latest major investment in expanding the WAS network confirms the company's commitment to this fast-growing and highly competitive marketplace.

The rapid evolution of the wireless marketplace means that mobile operators need skilled support for their value added services strategy, to speed time to handset and post-issuance flexibility. This major expansion of the WAS software development network means that operators throughout Europe and Asia/Pacific can now benefit from local access to Schlumberger expertise, through centers in Rome, Madrid, Ferndown (UK), Prague, Sydney, Taipei, and Kuala Lumpur. With the Schlumberger technical centers in Paris, San Jose, Hong Kong and Beijing, these new sites form a unique global software development network, exclusively for mobile operators.

"Having a vast amount of expertise in-house is not enough you have to be able to deliver it. Neither is an understanding of the global marketplace enough - you have to be able to understand the individual customer's real needs, and be able to respond as they change fast," said Xavier Flinois, president Network Solutions, Schlumberger Test & Transactions. "With WAS, we have the people and the processes for delivering our mobile skills where they're needed, allowing us to leverage our security and smart card expertise."

Time to market is the priority for mobile operators keen to reduce churn and build market share, and proximity to specialist expertise is seen as key to cutting development time scales. The new WAS centres complement the company's unrivalled mobile applications expertise with local knowledge and short, effective communications channels, and its proven service delivery process, QWIP(TM) enables a rapid response to customer requirements as they evolve.

WAS project teams operate under the leadership of an experienced project manager the prime point of contact for the customer - within the QWIP process, designed to ensure the on-time delivery of fully validated services. Fully aligned with the individual operator's own business processes, QWIP incorporates the monitoring, escalation and change request processes required to keep complex and time-critical project on-track.

WAS provides the channel for delivering the company's expertise in value added services. In the last year, the Schlumberger mobile applications services business has experienced five-fold growth - in 2000 alone, the company will develop and install over 300 applications. It is involved in major value added services projects worldwide, ranging from info-on-demand to advanced m-commerce projects including China Mobile's 17-province m-banking rollout.

To ensure the highest levels of expertise for operators' current and future projects, Schlumberger has put in place a major skills management and training program. The Wireless University provides lifetime training for Schlumberger project engineers, in tools and techniques including Java(TM) programming, smart card software development, advanced cryptography and code optimisation. It also provides a forum for knowledge transfer from innovative projects, propagating project experience in mixed Wireless Application Protocol (WAP)/Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) tool kit (STK), USIM/UMTS and WAP Identity Module (WIM) throughout the WAS network.

Wireless Applications Services is part of Schlumberger Wireless Services. Together with its Wireless Consulting Services and Wireless Connectivity and Managed Services, Schlumberger provides a complete service portfolio to meet the needs of mobile telecom operators worldwide. Wireless Services is part of Network Solutions, the Schlumberger focus for Internet Protocol (IP) Networks, secure access and smart card integration expertise.


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