FAIRFAX, Virginia, January 10, 2012 - CGI Group Inc. (NYSE: GIB) (TSX: GIB.A), a leading provider of information technology and business process services, today announced that it has been selected by Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), one of the ten largest customer-owned electric cooperatives in the U.S., as the lead integrator to design and implement SMECO’s enterprise Smart Grid infrastructure.
SMECO’s long-standing partnership with CGI began in 2004 with the implementation of CGI’s turnkey solution. The initial project included the system integration of CGI's PragmaSMART Outage and Mobile Workforce Management solutions, which SMECO employs to monitor and control its distribution operations and to provide advanced service restoration capabilities.
CGI is working with SMECO to integrate key operational and customer service systems which will expand the interoperability of SMECO’s Smart Grid technology. Along with the installation of smart meters, for which SMECO must receive approval from the Maryland Public Service Commission, these technology improvements will allow the Co-op to continue its commitment to providing reliable electric service, improving operational efficiency, and saving money for its customer-members.
“With CGI’s commitment and depth of experience, SMECO will move forward with the implementation of a Smart Grid that helps our customers to better understand and control their energy use,” David Johnson, SMECO’s Meter Operations Director. “This integration will assist SMECO in reaching the EmPOWER Maryland goal set forth by Governor Martin O’Malley, which targets a 15 percent reduction in total electric usage on a per capita basis by 2015.”
“With 35 years experience in the utilities industry, CGI can provide the right resources and knowledge to integrate SMECO’s enterprise Smart Grid infrastructure and leverage more than 12 different enterprise applications,” said CGI, Senior Vice-President, Christopher James. “Our commitment and depth of knowledge are why utility companies continue to partner with CGI for their strategic IT initiatives.”
About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is one of the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in the world. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 31,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices and centers of excellence in Canada, the United States, Europe and Asia Pacific. As at September 30, 2011, CGI's revenue was $4.3 billion and its order backlog was $13.5 billion. CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in both the Dow Jones Sustainability Index and the FTSEXGood Index. Website: www.cgi.com.