NEWS

Helse Vest (the Western Norway Regional Health Authority) has entered into a $42 million contract with IBM (NYSE: IBM) and SAP to design and implement a wide-ranging finance and logistics support project. The contract value also covers OEM license maintenance. 

Helse Vest is the second largest of the Norwegian regional health authorities, overseeing 50 hospitals and institutions with over 28,000 employees. The new project is part of a long-term strategic effort, LIBRA, to optimize support services across the region through continued consolidation and phasing-out of older systems.

This contract will start in June 2017 and run up to 10 years.

The deal being announced today covers a large-scale implementation of the SAP system and includes a selection of technology, on premise solutions, and consulting services from across the IBM portfolio. IBM Systems division will provide the infrastructure solution based on Power 8 servers designed for the unique demands of the LIBRA project and will run on customer premises.

“We are very pleased to have chosen IBM Norway as preferred partner for our strategic corporate governance program. IBM Norway delivered a compelling solution and their professionalism gives confidence for the collaboration forward. This program will realize our ambitious goal of promoting health and quality of life through effective support processes,” said Hilde Christiansen, Senior Vice President for personnel, organization and technology at Helse Vest.

The implementation of SAP S/4HANA ERP is a major element in the plan an in-memory solution that requires strong infrastructure capable of supporting heavy in-memory workloads. This project will be one of IBM’s biggest S/4HANA installations with a projected 5,000 end-users.

“By investing in innovative technology, we believe Helse Vest is set to be a front runner within the Norwegian healthcare sector. By using S/4HANA, which includes an advanced in-memory platform with real time analytics, Helse Vest will be able to free up time and resources to ensure the customer focus is kept on patient welfare,” said Stefano Holguin, Country General Manager, SAP Norway.  “Through a close collaboration between Helse Vest, IBM and SAP, we hope to deliver an optimal solution which will support the customer’s vision of improving healthcare and quality of life through efficient processes.”

“This latest project is a superb example of the continuing strength of the relationship IBM and SAP share with the Norwegian Health Authorities,” said Anne-Sofie Risåsen, Country General Manager, Global Business Services, IBM Norway. “IBM and SAP are implementing a strategy for Helse Vest which will enable a strong, growing businesses that can seize the amazing opportunities of the digital economy.”