Equifax, the US credit reporting agency, has signed an ITO contact with IBM. The contract covers the provision of IT services in the US, Canada, Spain and the U.K.

As part of the agreement, IBM will provide data centre services including mainframe, mid-range server, client service desk, network and business continuity and resiliency services for Equifax's operations. IBM will utilise its global delivery network of service centres and data centres to support Equifax's employees and customers worldwide.

It is hoped that the new agreement will generate savings and enable the flexibility required for Equifax to support its business. The deal has been put in place to ensure consistent operations and administration across all the countries in which Equifax operates.

"IBM is a key global strategic supplier to Equifax and this new agreement delivers performance accountability, cost productivity, service enhancement and software innovation while deepening the global integration and collaboration between our organizations," said Robert Webb, CIO, Equifax.