LONDON, March 17 /PRNewswire/ -- In recognition of its pioneering LifeWorks@Com concept, Siemens Communications has been selected to receive the 2004 Frost & Sullivan Business Development Strategy Award for the European IP PBX equipment market.

LifeWorks@Com, an innovative product development concept, seamlessly integrates wireline, wireless and enterprise and public domain to offer an unmatched, unified communications experience. Frost & Sullivan lauds LifeWorks@Com as a successful blueprint for strategic business development in IP telephony.

"Siemens Communications has fine-tuned its business development strategy through innovative product development strategies such as LifeWorks and by optimising enterprise network channel mix," remarks Frost & Sullivan Telecom Analyst Shomik Banerjee.

"The company has also striven to increase market penetration in key countries and has secured leadership position in the software market by the use of OpenScape platform and development of channel specific offerings."

An exceptional performance in 2004 was underpinned by Siemens' highly innovative business strategy. Siemens Communications is estimated to have captured 23 per cent market share in converged access and 19 per cent market share in IP-enabled (adjunct) business.

As part of its overall business development strategy, Siemens Communications has been targeting small and medium size businesses through business partners. The company's indirect channel share is projected to rapidly increase from the current 12 per cent to 25 per cent by 2007.

Siemens Communications' outstanding channel specific products include HiPath 3000, HiPath ProCenter Agile and HiPath OpenScape. The implementation of product innovations such as presence based communications processes with HiPath OpenScape and HiPath ComScendo software suite containing entire 'intelligence' of HiPath real time communication systems is expected to enable Siemens Communications to earn further market share gains.

In selecting the recipient of the Award, Frost & Sullivan analysts tracked business development efforts of leading market participants through interviews with the market participants, customers and suppliers, as well as through extensive secondary and technology research. Business development efforts of industry majors were then ranked based on the number of new customers, emerging segments and commitment to business expansion.

Confirming its superior market growth skills and demonstrated excellence in business development, Siemens emerged with the number one rank and was conferred the 2004 Frost & Sullivan Business Development Strategy Award.

About Frost & Sullivan

Frost & Sullivan, a global growth consulting company founded in 1961, partners with clients to create value through innovative growth strategies. The foundation of this partnership approach is our Growth Partnership Services platform, whereby we provide industry research, marketing strategies, consulting and training to our clients to help grow their business. A key benefit that Frost & Sullivan brings to its clients is a global perspective on a broad range of industries, markets, technologies, econometrics, and demographics. With a client list that includes Global 1000 companies, emerging companies, as well as the investment community, Frost & Sullivan has evolved into one of the premier growth consulting companies in the world.

Frost & Sullivan Awards are presented to companies that demonstrate best practices in their industry, commending the diligence, commitment, and innovative business strategies required to advance in the global marketplace. Frost & Sullivan rigorously analyses specific criteria to determine award recipients in a broad spectrum of market industries and landscapes.

Contact: Magdalena Oberland Corporate Communications P: +44-(0)20-7915-7876 E: magdalena.oberland@frost.com

Contact: Magdalena Oberland, Corporate Communications, P: +44-(0)20-7915-7876, E: magdalena.oberland@frost.com