EDS, a global leader in providing e-business, e-government and information technology services, has announced that the UK Government`s Department of Social Security (DSS) has awarded the first major element of work within the ACCORD agreement to the EDS-led Affinity consortium.
The DSS currently spends more than $300 million a year on the development and operation of its IT systems. This work will transfer to the Affinity consortium, which also includes IBM and PricewaterhouseCoopers, under the terms of a 10-year agreement. The work was awarded under the UK Government`s Private Finance Initiative/ Public Private Partnership arrangements.
ACCORD is part of the DSS` wider program to modernize government. The aim is to use state-of-the-art technology and e-business solutions to improve the machinery of government and the citizen`s experience in dealing with government.
"The role of IT within government is becoming more critical as the speed of technology and innovation increases and deregulation makes it more accessible to more people," said John Meyer, president of EDS Europe, Middle East & Africa. "By combining private and public sector resources, discipline, knowledge and experience, we can help create a more efficient and effective service for the citizens of the UK."
The agreement announced today involves the transfer of approximately 1,550 of the DSS` Information Technology Services Group (ITSG) development staff to EDS, and the transfer of responsibility to the Affinity consortium for the DSS` IT operations, maintenance and enhancement of existing systems, operation of new IT systems and management of the DSS` other IS/IT suppliers. The staff transferring to EDS is predominately located in northern England.
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In 1999 the DSS announced that it would establish a close, long-term relationship with three consortia as Service Providers. The Affinity consortium (led by EDS with IBM providing technical support services, hardware and software, and PricewaterhouseCoopers providing specialist expertise including finance, accounting and control) was chosen as the Lead Service Provider within these arrangements. EDS is a recognized global leader in providing E-business and information technology services to 9,000 business and government clients in about 55 countries around the world. Having founded the IT services industry more than 35 years ago, EDS delivers high value management consulting, electronic business solutions, business process management, and systems and technology expertise to help clients simplify complexity and achieve superior value in the digital economy. The company brings deep industry practice knowledge to solve challenges in a wide variety of industries, including communications, energy and chemicals, financial services, government, healthcare, products and retailing, and travel and transportation. EDS reported revenues of $18.5 billion in 1999. The company`s stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange. To find out more about the EDS vision, visit EDS via the Internet at http://www.eds.com.