IBM given all-clear for $400m Equifax contract

NEWS Equifax has extended its relationship with IBM, handing the computing giant a further $400m to look after mainframes, mid-range servers, web systems, networks and help desks. The deal means the credit rating company will spend $800m with IBM over 10 years. It will use Big Blue on-demand technology services to help it trim an estimated $5m in costs in 2003, $9m in 2004 and over $20m every year from 2006 onwards. Equifax hopes to gain greater control over its IT spend and a flexibility to better adopt emerging technologies, according to a statement from the two companies. Equifax operates in 13 countries and one reason for the deal extension is to ensure consistent administration across the US, Canada and Europe.