Accenture and e-peopleserve Win Five-year Contract to Provide Business Support Services to Cable & Wireless
London, December 17, 2001 – Accenture today announced that it has won a five-year contract worth an estimated $115 million/£80 million to provide an outsourced Accounts Receivable function and Human Resources support for Cable & Wireless, the global telecommunications group, in the United Kingdom and United States. Also announced today is a new global sales and marketing agreement between the two companies.
Mark Fleming, Partner within Accenture’s Communications and High Tech practice, said: “The approach that Accenture and e-peopleserve are taking and their extensive experience operating Accounts Receivable and Human Resources functions across numerous industries was found to be the best match for Cable & Wireless’ needs. We are looking forward to delivering improved services to Cable & Wireless’ internal customers.”
Accenture will introduce process improvements as well as new standardised Accounts Receivable applications – including the implementation of new system capabilities based on SAP – in order to improve Cable and Wireless’ cash flow management and help reduce its working capital requirements. The agreement includes the transfer of 135 Accounts Receivable roles to Accenture.
As part of the deal e-peopleserve, acting as a sub-contractor to Accenture, will provide Cable & Wireless with Human Resources administration, learning and professional development services, assume the company’s resourcing/recruiting function, handle its payroll services and run its day-to-day Human Resources operations.
Ninety-three Human Resources roles will transfer to e-peopleserve.
Cable & Wireless is retaining a team of finance and HR professionals to provide strategic and policy direction, interface with the business and manage the relationship with Accenture and e-peopleserve.
Bill Murphy, e-peopleserve’s CEO, commented:
"We expect Cable & Wireless not only to achieve significant savings through this arrangement, its senior Human Resources professionals will also be freed up to focus on strategic matters, positioning its workforce for the economic and technological challenges that lie ahead.”
Avery Duff, executive vice president Human Resources, Cable & Wireless Global said:
“This outsourcing agreement is not simply about generating cost efficiencies but about transforming our operations to achieve world-class performance levels.”
Cable & Wireless and Accenture also announced a new global sales and marketing agreement. Under this arrangement, the companies will offer Cable & Wireless’ global infrastructure and integrated range of communications and e-business services together with Accenture’s management consulting and transformational outsourcing services to large corporate customers.
About Accenture
Accenture is the world’s leading management and technology consulting organisation. Through its network of businesses approach — in which the company enhances its consulting and outsourcing expertise through alliances, ventures and other capabilities — Accenture delivers innovations that help clients across all industries quickly realize their visions. With more than 75,000 people in 47 countries, the company generated net revenues of $11.44 billion for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2001. Its home page is http://www.accenture.com.
About Cable & Wireless
Cable & Wireless is a major global telecommunications business with revenue of over £8 billion (US$11 billion) in the year to 31 March 2001 and customers in 70 countries. Cable & Wireless’ focus for future growth is on IP (Internet Protocol) and data services and solutions for business customers. It is developing advanced IP networks and value-added services in the US, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region in support of this strategy. With the capability of its global IP infrastructure and its strength in key markets, Cable & Wireless holds a unique position in terms of global coverage and services to business customers. For more information about Cable & Wireless, go to www.cw.com.
About e-peopleserve
e-peopleserve, a part-owned Accenture company, provides high-quality, cost-effective human resources-related services to global enterprises on an outsourced basis. Employing advanced technology and best of breed human resources practices, e-peopleserve works in close collaboration with our clients, designing and tailoring our innovative services to reflect the unique needs and characteristics of their business operations and people. Our people-friendly technology allows for fast and effective response to day-to-day routine inquiries and transactions, while our specialist human resources professionals handle such critical support services as recruitment, training, learning and overall people development. Our services enable our client companies to concentrate on optimising their core business activities while obtaining greatest value from every aspect of its activities, including their people.
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Alex Pachetti
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Mark Radvanyi
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