MUNICH, Germany, Dec. 20, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Allianz and IBM (NYSE: IBM) concluded an agreement in Munich regarding support for the operation of Allianz's data centers. IBM will be acting as the global provider of IT operation services for Allianz in effect from April 1, 2014, supporting the transformation of the company's global IT infrastructure.

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Allianz currently has 140 data centers worldwide and plans to consolidate and reduce these to six data centers. The global partnership with IBM covers IT-related infrastructure processes relating to technical operations. The aim is to create a global IT infrastructure that is robust in its ability to withstand natural catastrophes and disasters and that meets the very highest requirements in terms of quality and ease of use. The program also aims to further increase data security levels. Allianz expects to have completed the transfer to the new IT infrastructure and its operation in full by the end of 2017.

About Allianz
To learn more about Allianz, please visit: www.allianz.com

About IBM
To learn more about IBM, please visit: www.ibm.com

Media Contacts
Charisse Higgins
347-266-7540
cthiggins@us.ibm.com

Dr. Marie-Ann Maushart
IBM Deutschland
+49 172 732 56 62
maushart@de.ibm.com

SOURCE IBM