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EDS and NZ Govt Team Up to Create 360 Jobs


EDS and New Zealand Government Team Up to Create 360 New Jobs

EDS Best ShoreSM initiative to bring value-added contact centre and applications development employment opportunities to New Zealand

Highlights EDS' strength in growing Business Process Outsourcing market

WELLINGTON, New Zealand - EDS New Zealand today announced it received a NZ$1.5 million grant from Investment New Zealand to support the creation of 360 new EDS jobs. The grant will support EDS' continued expansion of its contact centre and applications services global network, providing an unmatched infrastructure that provides clients faster speed-to-market and lower costs.

This move further enhances EDS' capabilities in providing market-leading design and delivery of Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) solutions. The grant will be matched by an EDS investment of NZ$18 million and is expected to create an estimated NZ$200-280 million in foreign exchange earnings and NZ$140-200 million in direct domestic benefit over the next eight years.

BPO is one of the fastest growing segments in the IT services industry. EDS offers a full range of BPO services to help clients leverage technology to streamline operations, reduce costs and boost efficiency, while providing the highest levels of service excellence. Services include customer relationship management (CRM), financial process management, administrative process management and enterprise shared services, such as human resources, financial and accounting, and procurement.

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EDS New Zealand's Managing Director Rick Ellis says the government's grant will strongly aid New Zealand as it competes in the global market for offshore business under the EDS Best ShoreSM initiative.

"EDS' investment in its worldwide network of delivery capabilities and best-in-class systems will provide New Zealand with access to an unmatched global infrastructure and market leadership position," said Ellis. "We're delighted Investment New Zealand has supported us in this effort."

Mr. Ellis noted that EDS New Zealand's selection as a EDS Best ShoreSM location designates it as a high-quality, cost competitive country for EDS' global contact and applications development centres.

"The potential for employment we can create through EDS Best ShoreSM in the contact centre and applications development market is what facilitated this grant," Ellis said. "New Zealand's stable political environment, growing economy, competitive cost structures and flexible and skilled IT workforce, make it an ideal location for the EDS Best ShoreSM program. Coupled with EDS' reputation in the applications services market, strength in BPO, and track record in service excellence, it's a dynamic combination."

Minister of Economic Development Jim Anderton believes supporting EDS will deliver great return on investment for New Zealand.

"The Government is committed to economic growth and development, innovation and job creation in New Zealand for New Zealanders. This agreement delivers on all of those fronts," he said.

Don Christiansen, CEO of Investment NZ recognised the forecasted economic implications this initiative will produce through employment and export opportunities EDS can bring into the country.

Mr Christiansen said there are additional advantages that New Zealand businesses could explore with EDS' global clients that choose to have their contact centres and applications work undertaken by EDS, such as introducing this offshore client base to the Government.

In addition to the Investment NZ economic grant, the agreement extends to EDS working with Work and Income New Zealand and the Tertiary Education Commission to recruit and train skilled candidates for the new jobs.

EDS will strengthen its presence in the Auckland market as a result of this economic grant and is expected to experience growth in the Wellington arm of the business as well.

EDS New Zealand is the leading IT service and solutions provider in New Zealand. EDS is committed to the New Zealand market and recognizes this investment by the New Zealand government as a tangible example of New Zealand opening its doors to foreign investment.

EDS announced the EDS Best ShoreSM initiative in November of last year, and EDS New Zealand is already undertaking applications work for Coors Breweries and contact centre work for US-based ChevronTexaco.

About EDS

EDS, the leading global services company, provides strategy, implementation, business transformation and operational solutions for clients managing the business and technology complexities of the digital economy. EDS brings together the world's best technologies to address critical client business imperatives. It helps clients eliminate boundaries, collaborate in new ways, establish their customers' trust and continuously seek improvement. EDS, with its management consulting subsidiary, A.T. Kearney, serves the world's leading companies and governments in 60 countries. EDS reported revenues of $21.5 billion in 2002. The company's stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: EDS) and the London Stock Exchange. Learn more at http://www.eds.comeds.com

EDS Best ShoreSM Applications Services offers clients the ability to develop and manage applications in one or more of EDS' accredited, globally cost-effective solution centres. These centers are strategically located across 11 countries and are a part of EDS' 90+ securely networked global development centers in 60 countries.

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