Sigma and AstraZeneca sign global application management sourcing contract

The publicly listed IT-company Sigma has signed a sourcing contract with Astra Zeneca covering local applications and eight sites in four countries. The contract is signed for five years and worth $ 9.4 M.

Discovery Information, DI, is the global dedicated information services provider within AstraZeneca. DI’s customers are approximately 6,000 scientists spanning eight primary discovery sites located in Canada, Sweden, United Kingdom and United States.

Discovery Information use a number of IT systems grouped in categories and the most local and specialized ones are called Category C applications. Support of these applications require deep understanding of the customer´s business environment, including scientific development, local presence and an efficient service organization.

Sigma will utilize its existing dedicated Service Center in Örebro, Sweden, with deep knowledge in AstraZeneca’s business environment together with local support from Sigma entities in Sweden, the UK, Canada and the US. Hence, Sigma has made use of the new entities in the US and Canada to assign local employees. The Category C application support and maintenance service provided by Sigma will involve a high level of pro-activity and innovation, as well as providing day to day reactive support.

Anders Jorulf, Global Category Manager IS Services at AstraZeneca says: “AstraZeneca are delighted to announce that the group has signed a contract with Sigma to provide IS support for the Category C applications. This will create a harmonized service for the critical applications across all regions, while at the same time allowing AstraZeneca to focus on its core business. We have made a thorough selection process to ensure Quality, Effectiveness and organization. Sigma has the right experience from the Drug Discovery business, the global presence and an excellent track record spanning many years.”

Håkan Karlsson, CEO of Sigma say. “This demonstrates that our Global Synchronization Strategy is correct and we follow our customers in their development as well as geography. Customers expect efficient and tailored service organizations together with local presence of service minded personnel. Sigma acknowledges that a key requirement is long term commitment and our history as a supplier to AstraZeneca since 1996 demonstrate this.”

Sigma has from November 2009 begun transition of the service in order to take over full responsibility in April 2010. The contract runs until March 2015 with a total order value of $ 9.4 M.


For further information please contact:

Håkan Karlsson, President/CEO, Sigma AB, +46 (0)703-792 000

Sigma judges this press release to affect the Sigma stock. This press release is sent [20091217] [08:30].

Sigma is a leading supplier of solutions within IT, Management and Information logistics. With a Nordic customer base we deliver to an international market and focus on functional engagements. Sigma is listed on the Stockholm Stock Exchange and has about 1200 employees in nine countries.
www.sigma.se