NewsOutsourcingStrategy

Savvis, a CenturyLink company, is purchasing certain assets of Ciber's global IT outsourcing (ITO) business for US$7 million in cash, plus additional cash earn-out payment based on results through December 2013. The transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2012.

The assets include client and vendor relationships, infrastructure, technology and facilities in several countries. In addition, Savvis expects to hire the approximately 750 people who currently support Ciber's global ITO business.

Ciber will continue to provide clients full lifecycle application development and outsourcing solutions, including system design, implementation and managed services, partnering with Savvis to leverage its expertise and resources in the physical infrastructure.

Since July 2011, Ciber has leveraged Savvis' more than 50 data centers throughout North America, Europe and Asia, and its network capacity to serve its clients.

"The acquisition of Ciber's global ITO business will complement Savvis' existing ITO assets by expanding the organization's capabilities for application management services and help desk support," said Jim Ousley, CEO of Savvis and president of CenturyLink's Enterprise Markets Group. "Ciber's ITO customers will also benefit by gaining access to Savvis' global footprint, services and account teams."

"This action aligns with Ciber's strategies to continue to narrow our focus on core offerings and market segments, and to drive growth through strategic partnerships with businesses that have scale and are leaders in the industry," said Ciber CEO Dave Peterschmidt. "Our shareholders should see increased value as we concentrate on our core offerings. We will continue to provide global hosting and cloud solutions in partnership with Savvis where it benefits our clients."