IBM Helps Itella Streamline Business Operations with a Private Cloud Solution

Helsinki, Suomi - IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced today that it has signed a seven-year cloud computing agreement with Itella, a leading provider of business services in Europe and Russia, to streamline its business operations and improve flexibility and time-to-market. The modern cloud-based service delivery platform and use of IBM’s global industry assets will enable and expedite Itella’s transformation to a more agile enterprise. The agreement will allow Itella to focus on its core business and develop new value-add services for its clients.

Itella provides postal, logistics and financial transaction process services in Northern and Central Europe as well as Russia. As a services company it has specialized in managing its client’s important information and product processes. As a result of competition and escalating costs, Itella is now working with IBM to strengthen the company’s competitive advantage and enhance its business operations as well as improve cost efficiency. More efficient use of technology is essential to improving its agility and flexibility.

IBM will build a private cloud to provide hosting as well as application management and development services to Itella. With the cloud, IBM will automate basic production of technology services as well as improve the quality and management of those services.

“Through this operating model renewal, we can adopt a flexible service delivery to increase automation and introduce best practices, utilizing IBM’s world-class competence,” said Jukka Rosenberg, Senior Vice President, Itella Mail Communications. “Through the partnership, we can make our operations more efficient and cut costs, without compromising our high-quality service.”

Streamlined operations and customer service are designed to result in significant cost savings and improved quality, as well as faster time-to-market for new services. The private cloud environment to be built for Itella will ensure the reliable production and delivery of secure, scalable technology services both to internal and external customers. To meet Itella’s future needs, the company’s current infrastructure will be replaced with modern IBM technology. In addition to services production, new models for managing applications will be deployed with the help of IBM.

“With this collaboration we’re building a solid basis for Itella to develop new business. This partnership demonstrates the trust Itella has placed in IBM,” said Vice President and leader of strategic partnerships Jukka Ryhänen, IBM Finland. “We’re happy to be part of this journey towards new business opportunities where technology is used in an ever smarter and more innovative way to strengthen competitive advantage.”

About Itella Group

Itella Group provides solutions for managing information and product flows. Itella operates in the fields of mail communications, logistics, and financial management in Europe and Russia. Net sales in 2012 amounted to EUR 1,947 million. The number of staff is approximately 27,500. Corporate services are delivered under the Itella brand, while the Posti brand is used for services targeted at consumers in Finland. Further information is available online at www.itella.com.

About IBM Cloud Computing

IBM has helped thousands of clients adopt cloud models and manages millions of cloud based transactions every day. IBM assists clients in areas as diverse as banking, communications, healthcare and government to build their own clouds or securely tap into IBM cloud-based business and infrastructure services. IBM is unique in bringing together key cloud technologies, deep process knowledge, a broad portfolio of cloud solutions, and a network of global delivery centers. For more information about cloud offerings from IBM, visit http://www.ibm.com/smartcloud. Follow us on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/ibmcloud and on our blog at http://www.thoughtsoncloud.com.