Cathay Pacific Airways signs long-term deal with IBM

HONG KONG's Cathay Pacific Airways has signed two multi-year agreements with IBM to provide application support, development and maintenance services to change its IT operating model.


The carrier will use IBM's Application Support and Maintenance Services over 80 per cent of its portfolio from legacy mainframe systems to web-based custom applications, as well as off-the-shelf solutions.


Armonk, NY-based IBM will support Cathay Pacific's three major areas of airline operations and cargo, corporate business operations, and passengers, said a Cathay statement.


The application development services offer Cathay methodologies, frameworks, industry accelerators and software assets to deliver high quality custom applications and integration capability while leveraging IBM expertise, skills and resources to meet demand peaks and speed development of new applications.


Both services will be backed by IBM Global Business Services consultants specialised in the travel and transportation industry, and IBM development resources through the company's Shenzhen Global Delivery Centre and its Centre of Excellence for the Aviation Industry.


"Partnering with IBM is consistent with our strategy to leverage the external market to assist in delivering solutions that support delivery of world-class service to our customers," said Cathay Pacific chief information officer Tomasz Smaczny.


IBM general manager of its China global delivery centre Marcel Greutmann said using the company's integrated globally delivery service will foster a direct local relationship with the client which will set Cathay above its competitors.
(Source:http://www.schednet.com)