Computer Sciences Corporation (CSC) has announced that it has signed an IT desktop services outsourcing contract expanding the scope of services CSC provides to Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich). The new agreement has a six-year base period at an estimated value of $399 million with a two-year extension option.

Under the contract, CSC will assume responsibility for the provision of Zurich's electronic Workplace (eWP) desktop services to its businesses in the United States, Canada, the UK, Switzerland, Germany, Italy and Spain. The scope includes global service desk, local on-site support, and software packaging and distribution to approximately 51,000 users. The eWP service will provide Zurich with the cost and performance benefits of a globally standardised desktop service environment while allowing organizations within Zurich to tailor services specifically to their business needs and locations.

'We are pleased to announce this expansion of our relationship with Zurich," said CSC Chairman, president and CEO Michael W. Laphen. "CSC's global expertise in desktop computing services will provide Zurich's businesses with access to innovative technology and services and bring new levels of efficiency in support of Zurich's global IT strategy."

Michael Paravicini, CIO at Zurich Financial Services Group, said, "CSC already provides support for the development and maintenance of our application software, and our expanded relationship will allow us to provide a more integrated holistic solution for both our eWP and application support needs."

CSC's relationship with Zurich began in July 2004 when they signed a landmark seven-year global IT applications outsourcing contract. Through the agreement, CSC provides all applications development and support services to Zurich's businesses in the US, the UK, Switzerland and Germany.