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Thursday November 29, 10:00 am Eastern Time
Press Release
SOURCE: Compaq Computer Corporation and American Express
American Express and Compaq Sign Global Services and Technology Contract
Five-Year Agreement to Provide Technology, Services, and Support
HOUSTON and PHOENIX, Nov. 29 /PRNewswire/ -- Compaq Computer Corporation (NYSE: CPQ - news) announced today that it has been awarded a five-year, multi- million dollar contract to provide technology, services, and support to American Express (NYSE: AXP - news) operations worldwide.
Under the terms of the agreement, Compaq Global Services professionals will architect, deliver, and manage a server-based computing infrastructure for American Express. The contract calls for Compaq to deploy 25,000 Thin Clients -- supported by 400 Compaq ProLiant industry-standard servers -- mostly in the U.S., as well as in Europe, Asia, and South America. The server-based and Thin Client computing solutions are anticipated to provide a cost-effective approach for American Express employees who perform task- oriented, transactional functions, such as customer service representatives.
Compaq Global Services will provide design, deployment, and ongoing management services for the infrastructure. These services include infrastructure and application test labs, monitoring and management of the server environments, and help desk and desk-side support for users of the Thin Client devices.
Compaq's Thin Client devices process keyboard, mouse, and display enabling input/output offloading of application processing and data storage to centralized servers. The solution is designed to simplify administration and support for the user desktop, resulting in lower overall operational and ownership costs.
``Adopting Compaq's server-based computing and Thin Client solution supports our overall strategy of using technology that can reduce infrastructure costs, re-engineer our computing environment, and bring operational savings to the bottom line,'' said Glen Salow, executive vice president and chief information officer, American Express. ``As we set our sights on becoming the world's most respected service brand, we will seek and deploy cost-effective, flexible technology solutions like Compaq's that allow us to better align our technology resources with the demands of our internal and external customers.''
``Compaq has all the elements for IT success to offer American Express -- leading-edge enterprise products, integrated solutions, and one of the largest and most experienced global services organization in the world,'' said Peter Blackmore, Compaq's executive vice president of worldwide sales and services. Blackmore noted that the agreement is a continuation of a long and productive business relationship with American Express that dates back more than a decade.
Compaq accelerated the delivery of approximately 2,000 of its T1010 Microsoft Windows-based Thin Clients to American Express offices in New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to support employees relocated following the September 11th damage to the company's headquarters in lower Manhattan. |
