26 Jan 2008

Siemens completes state-of-the-art IT system for new National Assembly for Wales building

Siemens completes state-of-the-art IT system for new National Assembly for Wales building

Siemens Business Services played a key part in equipping the new National Assembly for Wales Senedd building, opened by Her Majesty the Queen on 1 March, with a state of the art IT system. The ICT element of this project was worth £6.9 million.

The project supports the Assembly’s aims to increase public accessibility to chamber plenary and committee sessions, inform and engage citizens in the business of the Assembly, as well as a using the building as a showcase venue for public and business awareness.

Siemens and their partners have designed and implemented fully functional, operational and business ready ICT, Audio Visual (AV) and broadcast facilities to enhance both the public and media experience in the building. Functionality includes public information access points, streaming media to support distribution and access to plenary and committee sessions, extension of video conferencing capabilities, as well as the use of ICT within the debating chamber and committee rooms. In addition, provision of services and information at the Assembly is available in Welsh and English and uses a flexible platform that will meet future requirements.

Technology also continues to support the Assembly’s own business operations giving access to its officials to a wide range of ICT, AV and broadcast facilities.

Local Government, Finance and Public Services Minister, Sue Essex said: “This new building is in keeping with the Welsh Assembly Government's objective of embracing cutting edge technology. It puts the Welsh Assembly at the forefront of public services modernisation.”

Tom White, Managing Director of Siemens Business Services, adds: “Siemens is enabling the Welsh Assembly to create a unique facility which emphasises public accessibility. It is one of the first significant achievements of the Siemens Business Services-led alliance contract won in 2004.”

Siemens Business Services has been working with two key partners on this enterprise: Yeovil-based iVC for the design and provision of the AV systems and the Welsh company Barcud Derwen for the all host broadcast systems.

About Siemens Business Services

Siemens Business Services is an internationally leading IT service provider, offering services all along the IT service chain from a single source - from consulting to systems integration, right through to the management of IT infrastructures. Thanks to comprehensive know-how and sector-specific expertise, the company provides measurable added value for its customers.

With regard to outsourcing and IT maintenance, Siemens Business Services is among the top ten providers worldwide. Sales in fiscal year 2005 (ending 30 September 2005) came to around EUR 5.4 billion, 75 per cent of which was achieved outside the Siemens organisation. The company currently has approximately 39,000 employees worldwide.

About Siemens in the UK

Siemens was established in the United Kingdom 162 years ago. The company employs 21,122 people in the UK, including about 5,000 in the manufacturing sector. Last year’s revenues were £3 billion, including exports of £500 million.

Siemens provides innovative, high-quality services and solutions to customers in a diverse range of industry sectors, including power, automation and control, information and communication, medical, transportation, lighting, and household.

Siemens has offices and factories throughout the UK, with its headquarters in Bracknell, Berkshire. The company’s global headquarters is in Munich, Germany.

Ms. Melanie Antonucci
Bite Communications

Further information

Tel: 020 8834 3419


About Siemens