SOURCE: IBM
February 28, 2006 12:42 ET
IBM Signs Major Strategic Outsourcing Deal With Zorlu Group
ISTANBUL, TURKEY -- (MARKET WIRE) -- February 28, 2006 -- Leading Turkish industrial group, Zorlu,
has signed a US $25 million, 7-year strategic outsourcing agreement with
IBM. IBM will take over Zorlu's IT infrastructure, improving the efficiency
of the Zorlu Group's IT operations and bringing expected cost savings of 30
per cent.
In terms of the contract, IBM will manage Zorlu's server infrastructure,
networks and manufacturing software, migrating systems to IBM solutions.
Zorlu Group will draw on IBM's research capabilities and benefit from IBM's
expertise in micro-processors, storage and home technology software in
product development.
Hamza Cihan Sari, Zorlu Holding CIO says Zorlu is one of the most
innovative groups in terms of technology and efficiency. "Vestel, a Zorlu
company, is developing many new technologies, mainly consumer electronics.
Similarly, Zorlu Textile Group, Denizbank and Zorlu Energy Group are
leading companies of their segments in terms of technology. This is an
efficient way to manage our IT operations with the IBM team which has
experience both in Turkey and globally," said Sari.
As part of the contract, IBM will also provide Zorlu with SAP operations,
end-user support, network management services, data center operations
management and hosting services.
"Many top companies like Zorlu are choosing to outsource their non-core
functions to improve their competitiveness in the market," says IBM Turkey
General Manager, Hüseyin Kiziltay. "IBM's global know-how across different
sectors, combined with innovative technology helps us better understand
our customers' needs. This way we can combine products, services and
business consultancy as a package that will boost their business
performance through improved efficiency.
About Zorlu
Founded at a small workshop in Denizli in 1953, today Zorlu Group is one of
Turkey's most dynamic industrial groups with 30.000 employees. Zorlu Group,
shown as one of the world's leading producers with the household textile
produced at its integrated institution and includes Korteks, Linens ve TAÇ,
has entered to consumer durables sector in 1994 by acquired Vestel and has
become one of the world's largest TV producers. Investing into the energy
sector in 1996 and carrying its investments to Israel and Russia under its
Zorlu Energy Group companies today, the group entered to the finance market
in 1997 with Denizbank. Denizbank became very successful in relatively
short terms and announced by respectable global finance magazine the
Banker's July 2005 issue as the "8th fastest growing bank in the world in
terms of equity capital''
About IBM Services
IBM is the world's largest information technology services and consulting
provider. Some 190,000 professionals in more than 160 countries help
clients integrate information technology with business
value -- from the business transformation and industry expertise of IBM
Business Consulting Services to hosting, infrastructure, technology design
and training services. IBM services business delivers integrated, flexible
and resilient processes across companies and through business partners,
enabling clients to save money and transform their businesses to be more
competitive. For more information, visit www.ibm.com/services