HELSINKI, Finland, December 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --
Stock Market Symbols GIB (NYSE) GIB.A (TSX)http://www.cgi.com/newsroom
CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A) has entered into an IT services outsourcing agreement with the City of Vantaa in Finland. Under the agreement, CGI will assume responsibility for the city's information systems, servers and workstations, as well as provide support for around 11,000 end users. A number of Vantaa employees will join CGI as part of the agreement.
The five-year agreement is valued at approximately 22 million euros and takes effect on January 1, 2015. The work will begin with an initial planning project to ensure a smooth transition. No visible impact on the residents of Vantaa is expected.
"The key to success is not just in outsourcing, but in finding a talented and innovative supplier," said Antti Ylä-Jarkko, CIO for the city. "We need a strong supplier that thinks outside of the box. Based on our strategy, the IT department needs to become a highly-skilled service supplier for end users."
In addition to supporting thousands of end users and a wide range of information systems and software, the city's IT services cover approximately 13,000 workstations, 16,500 tablets and 200 servers. Services are also used by about 30,000 educational network users.
"IT infrastructure outsourcing is a clear trend in the public sector because its benefits are so clear," noted Leena-Mari Lähteenmaa, senior vice president, CGI. "For example, critical, around-the-clock monitoring systems are difficult and expensive to implement and maintain in-house. It's also important to note that the cost and quality benefits of outsourcing improve significantly when detailed service levels with clear sanctions are agreed upon between the outsourcing partners."
About CGI Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 68,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as a wide range of proprietary solutions. With annualized revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog exceeding C$18 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: http://www.cgi.com
Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release that do not directly and exclusively relate to historical facts constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of that term in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and are "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements and this information represent CGI's intentions, plans, expectations and beliefs, and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, of which many are beyond the control of the Company. These factors could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. These factors include but are not restricted to: the timing and size of new contracts; acquisitions and other corporate developments; the ability to attract and retain qualified members; market competition in the rapidly evolving IT industry; general economic and business conditions; foreign exchange and other risks identified in the press release, in CGI's annual and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A"), in CGI's Annual Report, in CGI's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (filed on EDGAR at http://www.sec.gov), and in the Company's Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities authorities (filed on SEDAR at http://www.sedar.com), as well as assumptions regarding the foregoing. The words "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "foresee," "plan," and similar expressions and variations thereof, identify certain of such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, which speak only as of the date on which they are made. In particular, statements relating to future performance are forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. CGI disclaims any intention or obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements or on this forward-looking information.
Investors and media: Lorne Gorber, Senior Vice-President, Global Communications and Investor Relations, lorne.gorber@cgi.com, +1-514-841-3355; Local media: Esa Luoto, Manager, Marketing and Communications, CGI, esa.luoto@cgi.com, +358-50-380-5601
