Hitachi Data Systems to power SLA-based storage-as-a-service offerings hosted within CGI's global data centers or customers' data centers

Stock Market Symbols
GIB (NYSE)
GIB.A (TSX)
www.cgi.com/newsroom

SANTA CLARA, CA and MONTREAL, QC, Jan. 29, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ - Hitachi Data Systems (HDS), a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501) and CGI (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A), the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world, today announced a significant milestone in their strategic agreement to provide clients with enterprise-grade cloud services powered by Hitachi Data Systems.

As part of its portfolio of Digital Transformation services, CGI can now offer clients a number of secure cloud storage solutions that enable access to business critical data from mobile devices and traditional desktops. These solutions give clients peace of mind knowing that their data is safe and uncompromised.

These solutions are already in use by Foresters™, an international financial services provider committed to family well-being with over one million members in Canada, the United States and the United Kingdom. Based on Hitachi Data Systems' most advanced cloud technology, the solutions can be hosted within CGI's global data centers or in a customer's data center in a private cloud model –offering unparalleled flexibility, security and choice to clients.

"Today's significant advancement in our partnership with CGI stems from years of joint collaboration with a mutual focus on delivering to our customers the best possible technologies for their evolving business needs," said Michael Cremen, EVP, global sales, Hitachi Data Systems. "We have teamed to provide a distinctly innovative set of cloud enablement solutions that offer the best of hybrid and private cloud technologies for our customers."

"Our partnership with Hitachi Data Systems helps clients achieve their goals to transform enterprise processes by facilitating secure access to business information," said Brian Cann, Vice-President, Global Marketing, CGI. "Leading technology from Hitachi allows us to deliver a variety of business solutions through a cloud delivery model that meets the procurement needs of our clients. It's this integrated approach that makes the CGI and Hitachi Data Systems global partnership a win-win for clients."

Highlights and key facts

• CGI is the first global systems integrator to offer consistent block, file and object solutions using the Hitachi Cloud Service Provider program throughout North America and EMEA.
• HDS will leverage CGI's state-of-the-art data centers to offer hosted cloud services "in country", starting in Canada, the United States, Sweden, Norway and Portugal, with additional sites to follow.
• The initial technologies to be launched include:
  • Storage as a service
  • Data vaulting
  • Disaster recovery as a service
  • Archiving as a service from Microsoft^® Exchange, SharePoint^®, databases, network attached storage (NAS), and other environments.
  • Bottomless edge to core storage (using Hitachi Content Platform and Hitachi Data Ingestor)
  • File sync and share as a service (using Hitachi Content Platform Anywhere)
• CGI is part of Global Systems Integrator Partner Program by Hitachi Data Systems and is also the first global cloud service provider certified by Hitachi Data Systems.

Find out more

• Twitter
• HDS News Hub
• Facebook
• HDS Community

About  CGI 
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 68,000 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 a wide range of proprietary 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.

About Hitachi Data Systems
Hitachi Data Systems, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., provides information technologies, services and solutions that help companies improve IT costs and agility, and innovate with information to make a difference in the world. Our products, services and solutions are trusted by the world's leading enterprises, including more than 70% of the Fortune 100 and more than 80% of the Fortune Global 100. Visit us at HDS.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi, Ltd. (TSE: 6501), headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, delivers innovations that answer society's challenges with our talented team and proven experience in global markets. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal 2013 (ended March 31, 2014) totaled 9,616 billion yen ($93.4 billion). Hitachi is focusing more than ever on the Social Innovation Business, which includes infrastructure systems, information & telecommunication systems, power systems, construction machinery, high functional materials & components, automotive systems, health care and others. For more information on Hitachi, please visit the company's website at http://www.hitachi.com.

© Hitachi Data Systems Corporation 2015. All rights reserved. HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. Innovate With Information is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi Data Systems Corporation. Microsoft and SharePoint are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.  All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE CGI Group Inc.

Related Links

www.cgi.ca