Accenture will provide Thomas Cook Group plc with application management, technology infrastructure management, finance, accounting and human resources services under a US$400 million outsourcing agreement the two companies signed recently.

The contract, which supersedes an agreement the two companies signed in early 2002 for similar services, is designed to enable Thomas Cook to integrate a range of MyTravel plc functions into existing Thomas Cook outsourced operations following the merger of the two companies this past June.

The services Accenture will provide under the new contract include: application and infrastructure management services to support a range of Thomas Cook’s operational back-office systems, including its SAP-based enterprise resource planning solution, as well as network management and technical services; finance and accounting services, including accounts payable and receivable, general ledger accounting support and management reporting; and human resources (HR) services, include HR administration and payroll services for Thomas Cook’s U.K. employees.

Accenture will deliver the services through a shared services center in the United Kingdom, leveraging additional resources from its Global Delivery Network.

“We are delighted to further extend our successful strategic outsourcing relationship with Accenture,” said Manny Fontenla-Novoa, joint chief executive of Thomas Cook Group plc. “The relationship has and will continue to support our delivery of back- office operational excellence.”

Kevin Campbell, Accenture’s group chief executive–Outsourcing, said, “High-performing companies like Thomas Cook have found they can be more strategic, streamline operations, reduce risk and improve overall business performance by outsourcing several business processes to a single provider.”

“Our award-winning, multi-process outsourcing relationship with Thomas Cook continues to drive world-class efficiencies and flexibility into our client’s operations," said Alex Christou, a senior executive in Accenture’s Transportation & Travel Services practice. “Our partnership reduces business complexity, enables Thomas Cook to focus on excellent customer service and accelerates the delivery of the back-office benefits resulting from its merger with MyTravel.”