Business Services Industry

Mercer Human Resource Consulting Awards IBM $58 Million Contract; IBM Will Implement Internal Procurement and Help Desk Systems to Drive Productivity Increases at Mercer Human Resource Consulting

Business Wire, Oct 18, 2005

ARMONK, N.Y. & NEW YORK -- Mercer Human Resource Consulting has awarded IBM a $58 million contract to manage its IT procurement systems as well as its desktop infrastructure and help desk support, primarily in the U.S. and the U.K. Under the five-year contract, IBM will deploy software that it relies on to manage its own procurement, help desk, and desktop services functions.

IBM will use its OrderNow! procurement software to build a special online catalog for Mercer that employees can use to order IT products, such as laptops, servers and software. OrderNow! will keep track of orders, facilitating the company's goal of improving procurement processes and recognizing savings through a reduction in the number of so-called "one-off" orders.

Similarly, IBM will build a customizable Web-based portal, using its HelpNow! software to assist Mercer users in solving IT problems quickly and cost-effectively. The IBM solution will support the needs of Mercer's consulting workforce, providing them with 24x7 services that support the varied work practices within Mercer.

These software solutions will enhance IBM's maintenance and support of Mercer's 10,500 U.S. and U.K. employees in the use of personal computers and laptops.

"This initiative builds on the successful track record of our internal support teams as well as consolidation efforts of the past several years," said Linda Ison, chief information officer at Mercer Human Resource Consulting. "As a global leader for human resource services and solutions, Mercer is on an aggressive growth track. Our objective in establishing this relationship with IBM is to provide robust and flexible IT services that support our objectives for both business growth and delivery of consistent IT services around the globe."

"Mercer Human Resource Consulting understands the powerful benefits of leveraging technology to increase productivity," said Philip Guido, general manager, financial services, IBM Global Services. "By deploying time-tested assets that have helped IBM for years, we intend to help Mercer take its IT infrastructure to new levels of performance."

About Mercer Human Resource Consulting

Mercer Human Resource Consulting is the global leader for trusted HR and related financial advice, products, and services, with more than 15,000 employees serving clients in over 190 cities and 41 countries and territories worldwide. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc., which lists its stock (ticker symbol: MMC) on the New York, Chicago, Pacific, and London stock exchanges.

IBM Global Services

IBM Global Services is the world's largest information technology services and consulting provider. Some 190,000 professionals in more than 160 countries help clients integrate information technology with business value -- from the business transformation and industry expertise of IBM Business Consulting Services to hosting, infrastructure, technology design and training services. IBM Global Services delivers integrated, flexible and resilient processes across companies and through business partners, enabling clients to save money and transform their businesses to be more competitive. For more information, visit www.ibm.com/services.>