Major order for QSC AG: Modernisation of IT landscape at SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH

- Multi-cloud for Swiss-based international steel group
- QSC to consolidate and enhance flexibility of IT environment
- Bechtle as partner for hardware and on-site services

Cologne, 20 May 2019 - SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH, the expert provider of special long steel products with more than 10,000 employees worldwide, has commissioned QSC AG to consolidate and modernise its IT environment. In the first step, QSC will migrate various IT systems to its Pure Enterprise Cloud for four of the Group's total of seven business units. These include all central services and applications such as SAP-ERP, SAP-BPC, SAP BI on HANA, mail/messaging, managed server & storage, archive solutions, EDI, specialist applications, mobile device management, virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) and hybrid exchange systems. In the next step, the other business units are set to follow with a range of solutions including various public cloud services.

SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH aims to achieve a secure, modern and flexible IT landscape, one which adapts dynamically in line with its business performance and can be consolidated with its central IT systems. At the same time, the new cloud-based environment should portray the individual needs of the business units and facilitate more rapid implementation of innovations at the Group.

Holger Blase, Group CIO of the SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Group, comments on the decision in favour of QSC AG: "The decisive criteria for us were the technical solution concept, contractual flexibility and the great focus placed on successful transition. We were also convinced by QSC's commitment to working in a partnership of equals. By taking this step into the cloud, we will now be able to commit more of our own IT resources into strategic, forward-looking IT projects." According to Blase, these particularly included digitalising the company's process landscape.

Cloud strategy pays off

"We are delighted by the order we have received, which clearly underlines our expertise when it comes to the IT needs of manufacturers", comments Jürgen Hermann, CEO of QSC AG. "Our cloud strategy, in which we provide companies with individual cloud services while at the same time supporting them in moving to the public cloud, has absolutely paid off here."

In performing its services QSC, which is acting as general contractor in the project, will for the first time draw on services from Bechtle. Germany's largest IT systems company will supply the necessary decentralised hardware components and provide SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH with on-site support services at its business locations in Germany. A team from Lexta Consultants Group provided its expertise to advise the Group in organising the tender and selecting a provider capable of managing the challenges ahead.

About SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH
The SCHMOLZ + BICKENBACH Group is today one of the world's leading providers of individual solutions in the special long steel products sector. The Group is one of the leading manufacturers of tool steel and non-corrosive long steel on the global market and one of the two largest companies in Europe for alloyed and high-alloyed constructional steel. With more than 10,000 employees and in-house production and distribution companies in over 30 companies and on five continents, the company guarantees its customers a global supply and customer service, and offers them a complete production portfolio as well as sales and services around the world. They benefit from the company's technological expertise, the consistently high product quality around the world and detailed knowledge of local markets.

About QSC AG
QSC AG is digitalising the German SME sector. With decades of experience and expertise in its Cloud, Internet of Things, Consulting, Telecommunications and Colocation businesses, QSC accompanies its customers securely into the digital age. The cloud-based provision of all services offers increased speed, flexibility, and availability. The TÃœV and ISO-certified data centres in Germany and nationwide All-IP network at QSC AG form the basis for maximum end-to-end quality and security. QSC's customers benefit from one-stop innovative products and services that are marketed both directly and via partners.

Contact for enquiries:
QSC AG
Arne Thull
Head of Investor Relations
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