The CGI Group Inc. today announced a $3 million contract to customize and install its AMICUS library management software for The British Library in conjunction with Axis Resources. The powerful AMICUS software product was developed by CGI specialists with the National Library of Canada, where the system has been in use since 1995.
The British Library has recently appointed Axis Resources of the United Kingdom as the prime integrator to design and implement a totally new Corporate Bibliographic System (CBS) which will progressively replace a variety of existing individual systems by 1999. AMICUS is to be the core component of the new system which, when fully implemented, will be capable of supporting 2,000 concurrent users and handle up to 30 million authority and bibliographic records.
"This contract is very significant for us beyond the value of the contract,'' noted Daniel Crépeau, Vice-President, Ottawa Region at CGI. "By being selected by The British Library, one of the world's most prestigious libraries, it demonstrates that CGI's AMICUS application is of world-class standard. And the fact that AMICUS was developed in partnership with the National Library of Canada also reflects positively on the ability of private and public sectors initiatives to create profitable commercial ventures.''
"We are, indeed, very proud to see that Axis Resources' AMICUS solution has been chosen by The British Library," added Dr. Marianne Scott, National Librarian of Canada. "This has been an exemplary team effort and we are happy that the energies we have invested in developing such an advanced system are now benefiting other institutions around the world - while contributing to Canadian high technology exports."
The prestigious British Library is said to offer the widest range of document supply, bibliographic and information services of any national library.
Axis Resources is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the £4 billion turnover Tomkins Group. Headquartered in Harlow, Essex, with regional offices in the North-West in Salford and Carlton inYorkshire, Axis Resources employs over 240 staff and specializes in the provision of outsourced solutions in IT, Payroll and HR and Document Management. The quality of all Axis services is underpinned by BS EN ISO 9001 certification to TickIT guidelines.
CGI is the largest Canadian-owned independent information technology consulting firm with 2,700 specialists and revenue run-rate of $300 million. It provides end-to-end IT services and business solutions to more than 1,800 clients throughout Canada and elsewhere in the world. CGI is listed on the Toronto and Montreal stock exchanges. Stock symbol: GIB.A. Following the recent acquisition of CDSL Holdings and a series of major systems integration and IT outsourcing contracts, the Company's order backlog is now valued at over $1 billion.
For more information:
CGI Group Inc.
Yves Roberge
Public Affairs
(514) 841-3230
