Oce outsources IT in Europe to Atos Origin

07 November 2008, 8:08pm

Utrecht, Venlo, The Netherlands, 6 November 2008 -- Oce, an international leader in digital document management, has outsourced the IT support for its European sales companies to Atos Origin, an international IT services provider. This will result in 65 Oce staff working for Atos Origin in 16 countries. Effective 1 November 2008, the contract has been signed for a duration of 7 years and pertains to the implementation and support of standard IT solutions provided by Atos Origin.

Atos Origin will contribute significantly to Oce's transition to a central European IT organization, which will make it easier and less expensive to provide support to its operating companies and result in greater flexibility at lower cost.

"Outsourcing the IT support for our European sales companies helps us improve our operational processes. The move is part of our previously announced cost savings program, in which 950 job positions are being eliminated. In so doing we will realize 130 million in savings in 2008 and 2009," said Jan Dix, member of the Oce Board of Executive Directors, responsible for IT. By outsourcing its IT services, a total of 65 Oce staff will transfer to Atos Origin and an additional 20 jobs disappear due to attrition, resulting in a reduction of 85 IT job positions at Oce.

Atos Origin will be responsible for the management of over 6,000 workplaces and the management of current local applications in Oce's sales companies in 16 European countries. Other services that Atos Origin offers involve network, server and LAN management, and the management of Oce's telephone network in Europe.

Continuity and flexibility

"In Europe, Atos Origin has a proven track record in outsourcing and in implementing this kind of IT project", said Wilfred de Herder, CIO at Oce. "This agreement contributes to strengthening our market position, achieving cost reductions, and improving flexibility. Atos Origin offers our IT staff a solid perspective. All 65 are highly qualified specialists who will be employed in a challenging and professional environment at Atos Origin."

"This agreement with Oce enables Atos Origin to significantly strengthen its position on the European outsourcing market and to further establish our leading position in the high-tech market", says Rob Pols, CEO at Atos Origin in The Netherlands. "The agreement offers an excellent opportunity to demonstrate that we have the necessary expertise and experience to manage and implement large and complex international IT projects."

Geo: International