CGI to help enable re-engineering of
retailer's information technology infrastructure
TORONTO, May 16, 2016 /PRNewswire/ - CGI (TSX: GIB.A)
(NYSE: GIB) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a
10-year agreement with Sears Canada (TSX: SCC; NASDAQ: SRSC) to
support the retailer's strategy to re-engineer its technology
platforms.
CGI will streamline and update Sears Canada's current technology
infrastructure and mainframe applications with the goal of reducing
costs and improving efficiency. The rationalization of these
operations will also enable Sears Canada to decommission systems
concurrent to standing up a modernized core technology stack. As
part of a comprehensive suite of services, CGI will also protect
Sears Canada's technology environments with advanced cybersecurity
solutions, and partner with Sears Canada on elements of its new
technology architecture.
CGI will leverage its global delivery model to deliver
consulting and application and infrastructure management services
from worldwide locations where it currently operates, including
from its local Canadian offices in Montréal and Toronto.
"This agreement will help optimize our technology operations and
support our goal to manage expenses in line with our business
objectives," said Becky Penrice,
Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Sears Canada
Inc. "CGI has also committed to a hands-on level of service that
will help us deliver improved technology support to the retail
operations," continued Ms. Penrice. "It is a significant vote
of confidence that CGI has made a 10-year commitment to Sears
Canada. With a value to CGI of approximately $200 million over this period, the agreement is
structured with win-win incentives that could reduce this amount
should the technology transformation be accelerated. CGI's
long-term commitment, hands-on approach, and the alignment of the
agreement with Sears Canada's goals made CGI an ideal partner to
provide technology support and services for our current
platform."
"We help our clients around the world focus on their core
business and growth strategies" added Mark
Boyajian, President, Canada Operations, CGI. "CGI's
proven operational excellence, differentiated capabilities, and
strategic investments will help accelerate Sears Canada's
strategies to lead retail commerce in Canada across both digital and in-store
channels."
About Sears Canada Inc.
Sears Canada is a multi-channel retailer with a
network that includes 159 corporate stores, 125 Hometown stores,
over 1,200 catalogue and online merchandise pick-up locations, 84
Sears Travel offices and a nationwide repair and service network.
The Company also publishes Canada's most extensive general merchandise
catalogue and offers shopping online at www.sears.ca.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth
largest independent information technology and business process
services firm in the world. Approximately 65,000 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 150 IP-based
services and solutions. With annual revenue in excess of
C$10 billion and an order backlog
exceeding C$20 billion, CGI shares
are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB).
Website: 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
the intentions of CGI and Sears Canada, plans, expectations and
beliefs, and are subject to important 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 and Sears Canada's annual
and quarterly Management's Discussion and Analysis ("MD&A") and
in other public disclosure documents filed with the Canadian
securities authorities (filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com) and the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (filed on EDGAR at
www.sec.gov), 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 and Sears Canada disclaim 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.
SOURCE CGI Group Inc.
