DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, December 15 /PRNewswire/ -- IPC Systems, the leading provider of indispensable trading solutions to financial services firms, in partnership with the Al Makhawi group, will hold an exclusive customer event on December 15, 2009 at the iconic Burj Al Arab Hotel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, to formally announce the launch of IPC network services in the Middle Eastern region. The strategic partnership allows IPC regional customers the opportunity to connect to all major trading locations across the Gulf Corporation Council (GCC) countries. This follows the recent announcement (http://www.ipc.com/repository/document/419.pdf) of IPC's new Dubai point-of-presence (POP) installation located at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), enabling IPC Dubai-based clients to dramatically reduce the installation time to connect with trading venues globally.

Building on its existing and successful partnership, IPC worked closely with Al Makhawi to design, develop and implement a network service solution for the provision of trader voice services within the middle eastern region, meeting customer requirements for improved network resilience, efficiency and flexibility. Al Makhawi's comprehensive regional knowledge, technical expertise and excellent understanding of the mission critical nature of financial services delivery, was crucial to this successful network deployment.

The customer event will host senior representatives from many of the leading local and international banking and financial institutions and we are delighted to use this opportunity to highlight our partnership, said Vivek Raghavan, general manager, Rashed Al Makhawi Enterprises L.L.C. We look forward to working with IPC to provide the highest levels of service and support for all regional trading system and network installations.

Al Makhawi and IPC will now be able to manage and maintain its Middle Eastern network more effectively through a combination of 24/7 pro-active network management provided by IPC's Global Solutions Operations Centre (GSOC) and in-country service support provided by Rashed Al Makhawi Enterprises. This will allow customers the opportunity to continue to build stronger relationships and trade effectively in this fast growing region.

IPC has had a long and productive relationship with Rashed Al Makhawi Group and I am delighted that this partnership has now been formally extended to provide the highest levels of service to support our Trader Voice services, said Paul Tonks, vice president, Trading Systems Operations, IPC Systems. As part of this strategic partnership, we are proud to co-host this exclusive customer event to highlight our Middle Eastern expansion and extend a suite of network connectivity services to our customers.

About Rashed Al Makhawi Enterprises

Rashed Al Makhawi Enterprises L.L.C. was formed in 1989 in the UAE. Over the years, it has risen to the status of a leading, trusted and well known mission-critical technology solutions provider in the ME region. With a strong customer focus, its solutions are backed-up with unmatched after-sales support and service which is a benchmark in the industry. The company has its own in-house dedicated, qualified, factory trained and certified technical team which works on a 24x7 basis. It reaches out to its clients through offices in Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar. More information about the company is available at www.makgroup.ae

About IPC

IPC is a leading provider of indispensable financial trading communications solutions to the world's leading financial services firms and global enterprises. With 35 years of expertise and innovation, IPC provides its customers with global systems and solutions, as well as a suite of products and enhanced services that includes advanced Voice-over-IP technology and integrated network and 24x7x365 management services in more than 60 countries. Based in Jersey City, N.J., IPC has approximately 900 employees throughout the Americas, Europe and Asia-Pacific regions. For more information, visit www.ipc.com

Media Contacts Cliff Fox Matt Pennacchio IPC Systems, Inc. Ruder Finn for IPC +1-201-253-2291 +1-212-715-1613 cliff.fox@ipc.com pennacchiom@ruderfinn.com

SOURCE: IPC

CONTACT: Cliff Fox of IPC Systems, Inc., +1-201-253-2291,cliff.fox@ipc.com; or Matt Pennacchio of Ruder Finn for IPC,+1-212-715-1613, pennacchiom@ruderfinn.com