Emirates Airline and IBM sign major IT deal

11 January 2018
IBM will manage day-to-day operations of Emirates Airline's global IT infrastructure including two data centres in Dubai

Emirates Airline and US technology giant IBM have signed an $85m contract for the New York-headquartered firm to manage the airline's information technology (IT) infrastructure for its global operations.

According to a local media report, the 10-year plan will see IBM manage the day-to-day operations of Emirates Airline's IT infrastructure including its back-up facilities. IBM will also implement a private cloud solution at the airline's two data centres in Dubai, which will also be managed by IBM.

In addition, IBM will provide data centre networking services to enable employees to have access to Emirates' core IT environment and business critical applications remotely "at any time of the day, regardless of their geographical location."

"A key component of Emirates' IT strategy is to transform our data infrastructure to a cloud architecture, and drive both agility and efficiency benefits," Neetan Chopra, Emirates senior vice-president, IT Startegic Services, said.

MEED understands the deal is part of the 10-year, $300m agreement Emirates signed with IBM in 2016 to provide IT Infrastructure delivered as a service.

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