IBM Wins $600 Million Contract From ING Financial

IBM yesterday announced it has won a seven-year, $600 million services contract to simplify and consolidate ING U.S. Financial Services' IT infrastructure.

The new computing infrastructure will use IBM's Universal Management Infrastructure. The technology will let ING U.S. Financial Services adjust computing capacity in real time as market demand changes. ING will pay only for the capacity that it uses.

IBM will also consolidate ING U.S. Financial Services' mainframe and midrange computer operations. ING expects to reinvest monies realized by costs savings in new and improved business applications.

To prepare for the implementation of IBM's Universal Management Infrastructure, Big Blue will streamline ING U.S. Financial Services' IT infrastructure, tools and processes. The financial institution will standardize on IBM desktop and laptop technologies using emerging self-reliant technologies and minimizing the number of software images to reduce support costs and improve employee productivity.

Furthermore, IBM will manage ING U.S. Financial Services' IT help desk, voice and data networks. Together, the companies will work to introduce emerging technologies such as wireless access to deliver continuous improvements to ING's customers.