February 23, 2004

 

Overview
CGI has earned Microsoft Gold Certified Partner Program status for the "Advanced Infrastructure Solutions" competency. This was granted to CGI's Quebec City office via its Microsoft Technological Infrastructure Evolution practice. This practice supports infrastructure integration and migration projects by using Microsoft solutions such as Windows 2000/2003 Server (including Active Directory), Exchange 2000/2003 and Windows XP.

How did CGI Qualify?
To qualify, CGI's Quebec City unit was required to show that it had at least five MCSE Windows 2000 certified members (in fact, it has fourteen) and that it had completed three major Microsoft infrastructure projects within the last year. Through client references, CGI was able to showcase its expertise in the planning, design, configuration and deployment of Microsoft infrastructure products for a large number of servers and workstations . In one instance, CGI successfully migrated 15,000 workstations from Windows NT Workstation 4.0/Office 97 to Windows XP Professional/Office XP across the 200 sites of the Quebec Ministry of Employment, Social Services and Families (MESSF). This was the largest desktop migration project in Quebec government history.

What is the Opportunity?
This top partner program certification will give CGI access to Microsoft advanced training and technical support, as well as increased access to Microsoft products and marketing opportunities. In addition, it will enable CGI's Quebec City unit to extend Microsoft infrastructure solutions to other CGI locations.

What does Microsoft Say?
"Gold Certified Partners are the top level of Microsoft solution providers and have access to the tools and support they need to help them stand out in the marketplace," said Andrew Coulson, Director of Enterprise Partners, Microsoft Canada Co. "Companies like CGI, who achieve the Gold Certified Partner status for infrastructure services, share our commitment to delivering high-quality infrastructure solutions to our customers."

About CGI
Founded in 1976, CGI is among the largest independent information technology and business process services firms in North America. CGI and its affiliated companies employ approximately 20,000 professionals. CGI provides end-to-end IT and business process services to clients worldwide from offices in Canada, the United States, Europe and centres of excellence in India. CGI's annualised revenue run rate is currently CDN$2.8 billion (US$2.1 billion) and at December 31, 2003, CGI's order backlog was CDN$12.2 billion (US$9.3 billion). CGI's shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB) and are included in the S&P/TSX Composite Index as well as the S&P/TSX Capped Information Technology and MidCap Indices.
Website: www.cgi.com 

More information table
For more information:  

Noman Ahmad
Director and Microsoft Technological
Infrastructure Evolution practice leader
(418) 623-0101

Media:
Yvonne Gibson, Director, Corporate Communications
(416) 945-370