IBM Signs 10-Year Information Technology Agreement with Gap Inc.

IBM (www.ibm.com) announced that Gap Inc., the world's largest specialty apparel retailer, selected IBM as its provider for IT infrastructure services. The 10-year, approximately $1.1 billion contract will provide Gap Inc. with mainframe, server, network, helpdesk and deskside support services across its North American stores and corporate locations.

IBM has worked closely with Gap Inc. to develop a virtualized server and storage platform strategy that will scale to meet peaks and valleys in demand.

"IBM is a global leader in infrastructure services and a long-standing partner of Gap Inc.," said Gap Inc. chief information officer and executive vice president, Michael Tasooji.

To enhance in-store customer support, IBM will extend its networking capabilities to the company's more than 2,850 North American retail locations. IBM will provide the technology and integration expertise to migrate the stores to a leading-edge wireless network.

As part of the relationship, Gap Inc. will have access to an IBM Innovation Center, which brings together IBM subject matter expertise from various areas within IBM and IBM knowledge of the retail and other industries.