IBM and Michigan State University Open Delivery Center

IBM Supports Creation of State Technology Corridor

EAST LANSING, Mich. and ARMONK, N.Y. - Today IBM (NYSE:IBM), in conjunction with the State of Michigan and Michigan State University (MSU), hosted the ceremonial grand opening of its newest delivery center for application services located in East Lansing.

Officials from IBM joined Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm and Michigan State University President Lou Anna K. Simon for the ceremonial ribbon-cutting. Also at the event were clients, public officials, center employees, Michigan State students and members of the faculty and administration.

Founded in collaboration with a public university, the delivery center is the first of its kind in the United States for IBM. The center provides innovative application development and support services to modernize older and less efficient IT systems for state and local government agencies and universities.

IBM also is doing work for clients in the telecommunications, healthcare and high-tech industries with a focus on modernizing IT applications through process excellence, tooling automation, and asset re-use. In addition, the IBM center houses an IBM legal center of competence. The legal resource center analyzes customer contracts in support of complex services engagements.

“IBM supports the Governor’s vision to create a technology corridor that employs highly-skilled workers to improve the economic base in the state,” said Ginni Rometty, Senior Vice President, Sales and Distribution, IBM. “We look forward to continuing to work with the Governor, the State, and MSU on behalf of our clients to foster job growth and bring about economic development here in Michigan.”

At the opening, Governor Granholm said this public/private partnership exemplifies the state’s continuing economic diversification efforts. “Michigan and IBM have been partners for a long time and this center is the latest example of IBM’s commitment to our state,” said Governor Granholm. “High tech is one of our targeted sectors in our continuing efforts to diversify the Michigan economy, and we’re especially pleased about harnessing the talent coming out of our great universities. This is a winning combination for everyone involved.”

At the center IBM is collaborating with MSU across several of its academic programs including business, engineering, natural science, and social science. The university is known internationally as a major public university with global reach and extraordinary impact.

“Michigan State University’s focus on research and instructional excellence in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines and the social sciences, combined with our presence around the globe, makes our partnership with IBM a natural fit,” said MSU President Lou Anna K. Simon. “We’re very proud of the fact that IBM provides valuable information technology services to clients around the country and the world from the East Lansing center.”

Establishment of the center helps centralize application support and increase efficiencies for IBM and its clients. In its network of delivery centers, IBM employs standardized integrated tools, processes and disciplines that are used to deliver superior applications for clients.

Support from the city of East Lansing, Lansing Economic Area Partnership (Leap), MSU Federal Credit Union (MSUFCU) and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation was a key factor in IBM’s decision to locate this project in Michigan.

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