IBM Corp is trying to distance itself even further from its embarrassing Rolm Corp acquisition, and Minneapolis-based Norstan Inc has signed a letter of intent with IBM Canada Ltd to take over the business that markets and services Rolm telecommunications systems throughout Canada to Norstan. The transaction is expected to be completed by March 1992, subject to board approval and Norstan will then take responsibility for all IBM Canada’s 350 or so Rolm customers and 1,000 installation sites, as well as distribution and service agreements, and to that end will establish a Canadian subsidiary in Toronto. Separately, Aspect Telecommunications Inc reported an agreement in principle to name Norstan Canada its exclusive distributor for Aspect CallCenter automatic call distributor telephone systems in Canada. Norstan and IBM Canada also plan to enter into a marketing agreement under which they will jointly market IBM products with the Rolm kit. Norstan will take on about 180 IBM Canada and is also talking with Siemens Electric Ltd, which represents Siemens Private Communications in Canada in the hope that it will also transfer Siemens’ installed PABX base and associated employees to the new Norstan Canada in order to ensure continuity of support.
