FirstCall/ — IBM ( IBM) today announced that it has signed an eight-year agreement with Essex County Council to help the Council deliver enhanced services and savings to achieve its declared vision of providing the best quality of life in Britain for its residents.

As strategic partner, IBM will provide a range of transformation services that may include the design, management and delivery of front-end customer services, back-office and corporate systems; together with business consulting and technology.

As part of the agreement, IBM and Essex also today announced the signing of the first two projects, which are the initial stages of the transformation program and will involve the modernization of the Council’s back-office function and streamlining of procurement.

Brendon Riley, Chief Executive of IBM UK and Ireland said, “Essex County Council is recognized as one of the most innovative councils in the UK. Drawing on IBM expertise, we will work closely with the Council as it moves towards a more efficient, customer-focused organization that delivers first class front-line services.”

Leader of Essex County Council, Lord Hanningfield said, “IBM has demonstrated its ability to help us deliver our vision of providing the very best quality of service for our residents. Working together we will also be able to keep council tax low and deliver real value for money for Essex residents. This is the most ambitious project that the Council has undertaken, and finding the right partner to help us deliver it is a vitally important step.”
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