CGI Group Inc. (NYSE: GIB; TSE: GIB.A) (CGI) and Microsoft Canada Co.
have announced the creation of a joint gBIZ go-to-market (GTM) strategy
aimed at aiding Canadian municipalities to apply a framework designed
to help them surmount the hurdles they face when participating in electronic
service delivery (ESD).
“About 80% of Canada’s government services are delivered by
the 4,400 or so municipal governments of whom more than three-quarters
serve populations of less than 5,000 people,” explained Michael Roach,
president, Canada and Europe, CGI. “The majority of these municipalities
face limited IT budgets and resources that prevent their citizens from
enjoying the convenience and other benefits of online access to government
services. By taking advantage of the Microsoft .NET™ web services
framework, we are able offer them an alternative to a costly, skills-intensive
entry into ESD.”
“We need to eliminate the potential that currently exists for ‘digital
divide’ in online government services between Canadians living in
our few large urban centres and those in smaller cities and towns,”
added Frank Clegg, president, Microsoft Canada. “By collaborating
with CGI, we believe we can remove what amounts to a handicap for the
majority of Canadian residents.”
The CGI gBIZ solution is a template that expedites the roll out of a broad
range of secure eGovernment online transactions. It was developed in CGI’s
Single Window Government lab as a collaborative initiative with Service
New Brunswick to create a single delivery platform of Government service
to that province’s citizens.
The joint gBIZ G™ strategy will involve making available the gBIZ solution
through co-development and joint marketing initiatives. CGI will enhance
the existing gBIZ solution to run on the .NET web services architecture
and work with Microsoft Canada to market the solution in appropriate markets.
Microsoft Canada will provide architectural consulting assistance and
sales support.
“This initiative by CGI and Microsoft Canada began with a concept
designed by Service New Brunswick, the provincial government’s chief
provider of government service to the public, to provide more government
services to citizens online,” added Premier Bernard Lord. “It
further illustrates the progress we are making in embracing innovation
and establishing New Brunswick's reputation as a centre of excellence."
“This joint gBIZ G™ strategy is an excellent example of how the
Enterprise Alliance between Microsoft and CGI brings benefits to customers
of both our companies,” adds Mr. Roach. “I believe this will
entrench the strong leadership role CGI has established within the government
sector on a global basis.”
“We believe CGI has developed a unique, leading-edge capability and
expertise based on their Service New Brunswick successes,” said Mr.
Clegg. “They are knowledgeable and well-positioned to address key
government needs, which is an excellent complement to Microsoft’s
strengths in enterprise-class software and technology platforms and support.”
In addition, CGI and Microsoft Canada are contributing to the international
Delta research project in eDemocracy at the Centre for Social Innovation,
University of New Brunswick, in Fredericton, N.B. In support of this innovative
research into citizen engagement methods and technologies, CGI is providing
the use of the gBIZ solution while Microsoft is contributing various software
licenses.
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is the fourth largest independent information technology
services firm in North America, based on its headcount of more than 13,000
professionals. CGI’s annualized revenue run-rate totals US$1.3 billion
(CDN$2.1 billion). CGI’s order backlog currently totals US$5.75 billion
(CDN$9.2 billion). CGI provides end-to-end IT services and business solutions
to more than 3,000 clients in countries such as the United States, Canada,
the United Kingdom and France from more than 60 offices. CGI’s shares
are listed on the NYSE (GIB) and the TSE (GIB.A). They are included in
the TSE 100 Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSE Canadian Information
Technology and Canadian MidCap Indices.
Website: www.cgi.ca.
About Microsoft Canada Co.
Established in 1985, Microsoft Canada Co. is the Canadian subsidiary of
Microsoft Corporation (Nasdaq "MSFT") the worldwide leader in
software, services and Internet technologies for personal and business
computing. Microsoft Canada provides nationwide sales, marketing, consulting
and local support services in both French and English. Headquartered in
Mississauga, Microsoft Canada has eight regional offices across the country
dedicated to empowering people through great software - any time, any
place and on any device. Visit Microsoft Canada’s web site at www.microsoft.ca.
About Service New Brunswick
A Crown corporation owned by the Province of New Brunswick, Service New
Brunswick (SNB) is a leading provider of integrated government services
through one-stop service centres, over the Internet (www.snb.ca)
and toll-free over the telephone. SNB is currently partnering with CGI
in bringing the SNB approach to simplifying the delivery of government
service to markets around the world. SNB is responsible for real property
assessments, and the personal property, real property and business registries
of New Brunswick. It is known internationally for its expertise in these
areas, and in the development and use of geographic information. The corporation
has offices in 35 communities throughout New Brunswick and employs approximately
700 people.
Microsoft and .NET are either
registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United
States and/or other countries.
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For more information:
CGI: Jennifer Ratcliff, 416 945-3591
jennifer.ratcliff@cgi.ca
Microsoft: David Chin, Hill and Knowlton,
416-413-4633
david.chin@hillandknowlton.ca
Service New Brunswick: Brent Staeben (506)
444-2207
brent.staeben@gnb.ca
