AT&T's plan to buy Istel lights a fire under Europe for electronic messaging

Article Abstract:

AT and T's planned acquisition of Istel Ltd not only marks the company's entry into Europe's corporate electronic data interchange (EDI) market but is also expected to speed development of services and prompt AT and T's competitors to make similar investments in Europe. Currently only 16 percent of European business use EDI, but industry analysts predict 20 percent or more sales increases annually. AT and T hopes to import some of Istel's EDI products and services into the US market, but Istel's strength in electronic travel bookings and insurance and mortgage price data also make it an attractive target. Istel's biggest business is supplying computer services and systems to companies including Rover Group PLC. AT and T's bid includes a buy-out of Rover's 23.6 percent stake in Istel.

Computer maintenance & repair, Europe, Computer services industry, Information technology services industry, Market share, Electronic data interchange, EDI (Electronic data interchange), Europe, Western, Competition, Market Entry

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AT&T sees Istel as part of plan to go abroad; chairman sees 20% of sales coming from overseas as growth in U.S. lags

Article Abstract:

AT and T is looking overseas in a plan to expand. Domestic growth is flat, so the company wants to increase overseas revenues 20 percent by the mid-1990s. Mexico, the Soviet Union, Eastern Bloc countries and China all present relatively open markets that fit with AT and T technology, and the company is pursuing opportunities in each. AT and T's management is studying ways to increase PBX profits as well as the idea of manufacturing its own facsimile equipment and microcomputers. Corporate reorganization is helping AT and T change from a self-absorbed concern to a competitive business. Management is also trying to determine if the company has too many employees and is looking into ways of rectifying the problem.

Planning, International business enterprises, Multinational corporations, Business planning, Growth (Physiology), Corporate growth, Growth, Reorganization, Foreign Investment

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AT&T buying U.K. data firm, sources say; Istel is operator of network that an analyst likens to Tymnet's in the U.S

Article Abstract:

AT&T announces that it will acquire Istel Ltd, a United Kingdom-based data networking company. Istel's data network operation compares to that of the US-based Tymnet, which was recently purchased by British Telecommunications Plc. Both Istel and Tymnet provide electronic mail, credit card verification and other services to various corporations. Istel is also involved in computer systems integration. The acquisition signals AT&T's first international expansion into value-added networking and is part of the telephone giant's strategy of becoming a global leader in what it refers to as the information movement and management industry.

Telephone communications, exc. radio, Data processing and preparation, Telephone companies, Data processing, Great Britain, Networks, Telephone Company, United Kingdom, Electronic Data Processing

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