IBM and Range Technology Collaborate to Build Asia’s Largest Cloud Computing Data Center in Hebei Province

Langfang City to become major IT services hub for Beijing and North China

ARMONK, N.Y. - IBM (NYSE: IBM) and Range Technology Development Co. Ltd (Range Technology) today announced a collaboration to build a state-of-the-art, enterprise-class Cloud Computing Data Center to support the development of Hebei Province as a high-end Information Technology and services-based economy. The center—which is expected to be completed in 2016—will be the largest in Asia.

The collaboration will help companies across China with enterprise-wide strategic outsourcing services, business continuity and disaster recovery services in addition to advanced capabilities in cloud computing storage and mobile device management.

“The data center offers the world-class infrastructure capabilities and advanced network based services to support the business growth of our clients,” said Madam Zhou Chaonan, Chairman, Range Technology Development Co., Ltd. “This initiative plays a critical role in the economic development of China in light of the pressing demand for managed hosting in the areas of cloud computing and mobile devices.”

Set to measure more than 620,000 square meters or approximately 6.2 million square feet, the center will be built to IBM specifications and international green building standards. It will also serve as the IT infrastructure platform of Langfang Range International Information Hub, which is located in the Hebei Langfang Economic Development Zone.

As part of the collaboration, Range Technology will rely on IBM’s deep expertise in technology, training, solutions and data center design services for building the center in addition to business applications for the Range International Group. Range Technology and IBM will also work together to provide hosting and operation-related services to deliver high-quality service.

Through the cloud computing and services platform, Range Technology will support the Independent Software Vendors and other enterprises for software product development. The platform will also be used to support Langfang City’s development and hosting for smarter transportation, e-government services and administration systems, as well as food and drug safety services and supervision solutions. Range Technology has also developed plans to provide Hebei Province with the advanced capabilities to conduct healthcare projects, particularly in the Electronic Medical Records area.

“Data centers have always been a critical part of IBM’s heritage as we own or manage over 8 million square feet of data centers for our clients. We have also designed and built over 30 million square feet for clients on a global basis,” said Steven Sams, vice president, IBM Site and Facilities Services. “This new facility will leverage IBM’s data center innovation and resources to provide a cost-effective solution while providing the flexibility to meet the unpredictable changes in IT demand – whether it is from changes in IT technology or new business models such as cloud computing.”

According to International Data Corporation (IDC), the market for China’s Data Center services reached US$667.1 million in 2009 and is forecast to grow an additional US$1.9 billion over the next five years.

About Range Technology Development Co Ltd (Range Technology)

For more information about Range Technology Development Co. Ltd., visit www.rangeidc.com

About IBM

For more information about IBM’s cloud computing portfolio, research and labs, visit www.ibm.com/cloud