NEWS
Italtel and Rold to collaborate
on Industry 4.0 solutions
LINK Mobility
Group ASA
confirms
acquisition of
SMS.it
L
INK Mobility Group ASA (‘LINK’), one
of Europe’s leading and fastest growing
providers of B2C mobile messaging and
mobile services, has entered into a term sheet
regarding the acquisition of Italian mobile
messaging company SMS Italia Srl (‘SMS.it’).
SMS.it is one of the leading mobile messaging
providers in Italy. Located in Milan, SMS.it is
a mobile operator owning an independent
mobile network, fixed network, signalling
and SS7 interconnection and has in place
interworking agreements with all the Italian
mobile operators and the primary MVNOs.
I
taltel, a leading telecommunications
company in IT system integration,
managed services, NFV and Internet
of Things solutions and Rold, a leading
Italian household appliances component
supplier, have announced their co-
operation in the field of Industry 4.0.
The companies have signed a
Memorandum of Understanding that
will see them work together to develop
technological solutions and jointly launch
innovation projects to improve industrial
processes. These will be aimed at the
Industry 4.0 market, both in Italy and
across the world, through the creation of
an ecosystem of partners.
“This new collaboration is driven
by the ongoing transformation of
manufacturing processes, supported
by the Italian government’s Industry
4.0 plan,” said Stefano Pileri, CEO of
Italtel. “Together with Rold, we will be
working with companies that are facing
a significant transformation in their
businesses, rethinking and reorganising
the value chain to develop an ultra-
connected industrial model that will
improve competitiveness and enhance
growth. We intend to develop a joint
catalogue of technological solutions,
10
INTELLIGENTCIO
define a business model and implement
commercial cooperation both in Italy
and overseas.”
The cooperation will make use of
Rold’s SmartFab platform – designed
in partnership with Samsung for the
intelligent monitoring of production lines
– as well as Italtel’s proven experience in
system integration, Big Data & analytics
solutions, engineering support and
technical assistance services.
“The digital transformation of industrial
processes is a growing trend and there
are affordable solutions that take
advantage of Industry 4.0 and increase
competitiveness and efficiency,” said
Laura Rocchitelli, President of Rold. “Rold
Smartfab allows companies to digitalise
their production processes quickly,
connecting the machines and obtaining
real-time data that can be used for fast,
accurate monitoring. In addition, the
platform promotes the development of
advanced manufacturing skills, allowing
production managers to set an example
for their collaborators. Rold Smartfab
represents an evolution of the platform
that raised the attention both of our
customers and of technological partners
such as Italtel.”
“I am happy to announce that we have signed
a firm term sheet to acquire SMS.it; the first
global provider of mobile messaging services
all the way back in 1996. This is our second
investment in Italy and the fit between Total
Connect and SMS.it is very good. We will now
have a solid platform to develop and grow
LINK in Italy through our strong sales focus and
innovation of mobile messaging and solutions
services. The Italian market is experiencing
strong growth and we really look forward to
taking a big slice of this growth going forward,”
said Arild E Hustad, CEO of LINK.
“We are very pleased with the opportunity
to combine strengths and expertise of SMS.
it with LINK Mobility. And it should also be
stated that SMS.it was the first in the world
providing mobile Internet services. Our two
companies have a strong cultural fit and a
similar approach to clients and partners.
Joining LINK Mobility enhances the access
for our clients to industry leading and
innovative solutions, while still maintaining
focus on the local proximity to our clients, as
well as the quality of service and assistance
that is highly valued by our clients,” said
Daniele Preda, Managing Director of SMS.it.
www.intelligentcio.com