By 1995, Deutsche Bundespost Telekom intends a root-and-branch reorganisation of its data processing activities, by consolidating its 36 existing computer centres into six, and condensing its 45 applications development centres down to five. According to Computerwoche, Telekom also aims to provide its 100,000 computer users with standardised operating systems, databases, development methods, and network products. Although each of the 11 new operational units will be organisationally independent, they will, nonetheless, be directly answerable to Telekom’s general management. The first development centre has already opened in Darmstadt. A second is being set up in Berlin, and three others are planned for the north, the Rhein-Ruhr area and the south west. Each will focus on its own area of specialisation. VL Info, the German post office union magazine, reported that Telekom will establish the strategic computer centres in Bamberg, Bielefeld, Goppingen, Kiel, Krefeld, and Magdeburg. Furthermore, Telekom is reportedly keen that its 108 existing data processing departments, including the 36 computer centres, provide local information processing services. But, it has given no indication of whether it intends to acquire or dispose of any data processing activities. According to Computerwoche, it will need to buy a standardised office communications system, however. While head of the Darmstadt development centre Jurgen Wegner would provide no further details, Siemens Nixdorf Informationssysteme AG is said to be one of the hot favourites to win the multimillion dollar contract. The deal would involve supplying the company with standardised data processing technology, and a network to link up all of its 100,000 users. Siemens Nixdorf has the edge because it is currently working closely with Telekom to develop the Ocis office communication software, which is already installed in several sites.
