A long-lived IT outsourcing association between AMP and Computer Sciences Corp -- which surely must be one of the longest running IT outsourcing deals in Australia -- has carried over into the UK, where CSC has been awarded a five-year $A550 million contract to manage IT for a number of AMP operations, including Pearl Assurance, NPI, Long Life, Cogent, and Henderson Global Investors. The contract covers mainframe and midrange services, voice and data networks, help desks, desktops and high-volume printing. About 220 employees will transfer to CSC's UK operations.

Last year the two companies cemented an extension of a similar contract, which was also valued at $A550 million, for AMP's Australian and NZ operations.

Warwick Foster, AMP's CIO, said the UK agreement is expected to save AMP some $A136 million over five years.

More importantly, it is part of a strategic move to integrate the giant financial services supplier's operations around the world. "AMP is actively building strategic relationships with global partners to support the increasingly international nature of AMP's operations in our core businesses of wealth creation and protection," Foster said.

"This initiative represents an important step in the integration of AMP's UK financial services businesses, one that will continue to harmonise the IT platforms and services for AMP in the UK and globally".

He also noted that as part of the agreement CSC has committed to achieving service levels for AMP that will be the equal of those achieved by the top tier of financial services companies worldwide.