Hydro Awards Accenture Three-Year SAP Application Management Contract

OSLO - Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has signed a three-year application outsourcing (AO) contract with Norsk Hydro ASA, one of the world’s leading integrated aluminum companies. The agreement covers support and maintenance of two of Hydro’s SAP systems globally.

The agreement is designed to improve the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of Hydro’s SAP-based business processes through an industrialized approach that offers higher quality and innovation. The services will be provided to Hydro users in multiple countries by Accenture’s Global Delivery Network, using centers in Germany and India. The delivery of the outsourced services is scheduled to begin in October 2010.

“The agreement established today with Accenture is based on a standard service customized to Hydro’s needs. When selecting our supplier we have focused particularly on innovation, industry competency, flexibility, global presence and a mature industrialized delivery and operations approach that is cost competitive,” says Stig Heggelund, CIO, Hydro.

“This contract extends our long term collaboration with Norsk Hydro and offers a new level of operational efficiency that helps Hydro succeed in competitive international markets,” said Olav Skjaeveland, executive director in Accenture’s Nordic Chemicals and Natural Resources Group. “This is an excellent opportunity for Hydro to leverage our market-leading AO capability.”

Accenture has worked with Hydro since the late 1980s, in the areas of Consulting and Technology Services.

About Accenture
Accenture is a global management consulting, technology services and outsourcing company, with more than 190,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Combining unparalleled experience, comprehensive capabilities across all industries and business functions, and extensive research on the world’s most successful companies, Accenture collaborates with clients to help them become high-performance businesses and governments. The company generated net revenues of US$21.58 billion for the fiscal year ended Aug. 31, 2009. Its home page is www.accenture.com.