Heidelberg Installs New Global Networking Technology Supplied by AT&T

• Companywide IT-network consolidated and optimized
• Cost savings of more than 40 per cent achieved

Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG (Heidelberg), the world's leading solution provider for the print media industry, has consolidated its currently 30 suppliers of business data communication and networking to only one provider in the future, AT&T.

The new technological structure will result in substantial cost savings of about eight million Euro for Heidelberg, a 40 percent reduction versus the present solution, and emphasises Heidelberg's long term commitment to further cost reductions in the communication and IT sector.

AT&T will provide a fully managed worldwide area network (WAN) service, enhancing herewith the growing globalisation of the Heidelberg group. The new standardisation of network services will connect all 150 Heidelberg locations. It will also provide managed internet services. Under the terms of an initial three-year agreement, worth 14 million Euro, the new networking solution with AT&T will provide the necessary flexibility to introduce new applications and will improve efficiency. A further six million Euro agreement will enable a fully managed hosting center solution for Heidelberg.
According to Dr. Herbert Meyer, Chief Financial Officer at Heidelberg, "We recognise that the best way to maintain our global leadership in our industry is to take every opportunity for change and innovation ahead of our competitors.  This new network solution enables us to introduce new innovative networking technologies and cost effective management processes while reducing our budget spending considerably."

For further information:
Heidelberger Druckmaschinen AG
Investor Relations
Dirk Kaliebe
Tel: +49 (0)6221 92 60 20
Fax: +49 (0)6221 92 60 61
E-mail:

About AT&T
AT&T ( www.att.com ) is among the world's premier voice, video and data communications companies, serving consumers, businesses and government. Backed by the research and development capabilities of AT&T Labs, the company runs the largest, most sophisticated communications network and is the largest cable operator in the U.S. The company is a leading supplier of data, Internet and managed services for the public and private sectors, and offers outsourcing, consulting and networking-integration to large businesses and government. Serving nearly 60 million consumers, AT&T is a market leader in consumer communications services and operates AT&T WorldNet Service, a leading Internet access service that has garnered several awards for outstanding performance and customer service.