Fiat Partners with IBM in Latin America
Contract valued at $175 million over seven years
Sao Paulo, Brazil (October 15, 1998) – . Aiming at strengthening its global competitiveness, Fiat has begun the implementation of its “FIAT IT EXCELLENCE” program selecting IBM as its partner in Latin America. This partnership will be the model for other partnerships that Fiat will pursue around the world.
In today’s announcement, Fiat and IBM Global Services unveiled a seven year, $175 million outsourcing relationship in which IBM Global Services will become Fiat’s information technology partner for Latin America as part of the automaker’s plans to achieve world class IT quality in the region.
According to Roberto Vedovato, president of Fiat Brazil: “The company’s present IT activity focuses on distinct areas which include information technology systems development, strategic data processing and telecommunications. In addition, there are distributed help desk areas, desktop computing environments, network and server operations which will be operated by IBM.”
“Latin America presents tremendous opportunities for companies that operate locally with the competitive advantages of global business practices and leading information technology systems. The powerful partnership of IBM and Fiat, two leaders in Latin America, will create a new class of automotive and manufacturing leadership based on information technology,” said Elio Catania, general manager, IBM Latin America.
Source: IBM