IBM, NiSource Sign $600 Mln Technology Partnership

(RTTNews) - IBM (IBM) announced that it has reached a seven-year agreement with NiSource Inc. to continue providing a broad range of IT services, including the creation and management of a hybrid cloud computing environment.

As per the agreement, IBM will help NiSource implement a hybrid IT model using SoftLayer, an IBM Company, as well as a private, secure cloud powered by traditional infrastructure. The resulting integrated, hybrid cloud will enable NiSource to continue delivering efficient, reliable service to its customers, while supporting enhanced technology agility, availability and performance.

NiSource now will have the ability to collaborate with the IBM Client Center for Advanced Analytics to bring new analytics capabilities that further enable the company to solve business challenges.

Since 2005, IBM has provided a range of IT services to NiSource. The companies' new seven-year service agreement is valued at approximately $600 million, a level comparable with the prior NiSource-IBM service agreement. NiSource further noted that the new agreement is consistent with the company's ongoing financial plans and outlook.