Category Archives: Philip Guido

Bob Skaggs, Columbia Pipeline Group, Enterprise IT, IBM, News & Analysis, Philip Guido

Columbia Pipeline links up with IBM in $180m cloud deal

CPG is sending most of its applications to the cloud

CPG is sending most of its applications to the cloud

Newly independent Columbia Pipeline Group (CPG) signed a $180m deal with IBM this week that will see the firm support the migration of its application infrastructure from on-premise datacenters into a hybrid cloud environment.

CPG recently split from NiSource to become an independent midstream pipeline and storage business with 15,000 miles of interstate pipeline, gathering and processing assets extending from New York to the Gulf of Mexico.

The company this week announced it has enlisted IBM, a long-time partner of NiSource, to help it migrate its infrastructure and line of business applications (finance, human resources, ERP) off NiSource’s datacenters an into a private cloud platform hosted in IBM’s datacenters in Columbus, Ohio.

The wide-ranging deal will also see CPG lean on IBM’s cloud infrastructure for its network services, help desk, end-user services, cybersecurity, mobile device management and operational big data.

“IBM has been a long-time technology partner for NiSource, providing solutions and services that have helped that company become an energy leader in the U.S.,” said Bob Skaggs, chief executive of CPG. “As an independent business, we are counting on IBM to help provide the continued strong enterprise technology support CPG needs.”

Philip Guido, general manager, IBM Global Technology Services, North America said: “As a premier energy company executing on a significant infrastructure investment program, CPG requires an enterprise technology strategy that’s as forward-thinking and progressive as its business strategy. Employing an IT model incorporating advanced cloud, mobile, analytics and security technologies and services from IBM will effectively support that vision.”

Companies that operate such sensitive infrastructure – like oil and gas pipelines – are generally quite conservative when it comes to where they host their applications and data, though the recent IBM deal speaks to an emerging shift in the sector. Earlier this summer Gaia Gallotti, research manager at IDC Energy Insights told BCN that cloud is edging higher on the agenda of CIOs in the energy and utilities sector, but that they are struggling with a pretty significant skills gap.

citizens bank, Enterprise IT, IBM, Ken Starkey, Managed services, News & Analysis, Philip Guido

Citizens Bank signs 5-year managed services deal with IBM

Citizens Bank has tapped IBM for a managed services deal

Citizens Bank has tapped IBM in a managed services deal

Citizens Bank is moving its back-end technology infrastructure to a managed services environment following the signing of  a five-year IT services agreement with IBM.

Using a hybrid IT approach, IBM will optimise the bank’s existing IT infrastructure by integrating automation and predictive analytics technologies to standardise and streamline many of its internal IT systems and processes, including core banking applications, branch operations and online and mobile banking.

“Information technology plays a key role in our ability to anticipate and meet the needs of every customer, across every channel,” said Ken Starkey, chief technology officer, infrastructure services, Citizens Bank. “This agreement with IBM will provide immediate access to new technologies and capabilities, enabling us to create greater efficiencies in support of Citizens’ growth objectives.”

Under the contract, IBM will operate Citizens’ existing and future IT systems located in the bank’s data centres in Rhode Island and North Carolina. The bank already uses IBM systems and technologies. IBM also will support Citizens’ voice and data networks and provide IT support for all Citizens colleagues.

Philip Guido, general manager, IBM Global Technology Services, North America, said: “This is part of a multi-stage transformation of Citizen’s IT environment that lays the foundation for integrating additional IBM solutions in the future, making the bank more agile and responsive to the growing needs of its customers.”