Highlights –

  • Unisys Corporation signed a four-year contract to support multiple services for the EU.
  • The Unisys-led consortium entered into a partnership with Uni Systems and Wavestone.

Unisys Corporation signed a four-year contract to support a range of services for the European Union (EU).

The Unisys-led consortium has partnered with Uni Systems and Wavestone to consult on the design of major European IT systems to support eu-LISA.

eu-LISA is the European Union Agency for the Operational Management of Large-Scale IT Systems in the Area of Freedom, Security, and Justice.

The highest value in the contract is about USD 216 million that has been recognized based on the vast industry knowledge provided by the consortium.

Highlights of the deal

The agreement signed in the final quarter of 2020 includes a variety of services. The consortium will facilitate end-to-end support from defining and consulting new services through overseeing project delivery, testing, and quality control.

As developments are on the verge of constant evolution, the consortium is keen on providing critical support for new emerging technologies. Such developments involve biometric authentication and mobile enablement as eu-LISA continues to upgrade and streamline passenger flow. These smart systems will encourage travel across the region, decrease waiting times at border controls, and provide a higher level of security.

The Unisys-led consortium received a contract based on a public tender for the Transversal Engineering Framework (TEF). This framework consists of designing, testing, provision, and supporting core business systems and interoperability components.

According to the agreement, the consortium will oversee delivering critical infrastructure. It will also ensure compliance, security, and data protection requirements that reach the highest standard.

The Unisys-led consortium was chosen for its extensive and long experience with EU Border Control legislation and design and its experience in the management of critical information systems. This knowledge is based on decades of research and projects that assist the EU’s smart border control strategy.

The technical experts from the consortium will work together to consult on, merge and offer quality control for the application infrastructure of eu-LISA.

Experts’ view

Bill Brown, Vice President of Business Process Services at Unisys, said: “We have worked with the European Union for more than a decade, and this latest contract represents the team dedication and deep industry knowledge in the area of migration and Home Affairs.”

Brown further added: “Technology plays a vital role in creating a safer and better Europe, and we are thrilled to support and enable eu-LISA in achieving its short- and long-term vision. By forming this unique consortium, we are able to support the continued needs of the European Union as it expands and grows its mission, offering the best service and implementation available for an easier traveler journey and, in general enhancement of free travel of people in Europe.”

Nikos Psimogiannos, International Business Unit Director of Uni Systems, stated: “We are honored to have eu-LISA’s entrustment to engage in this highly strategic contract. The critical role of the contracts’ services in eu-LISA’s mission regarding the implementation of the EU asylum, border management and migration policies and its sheer size indicate and verify Uni Systems’ solid positioning in the European ICT industry, supporting our clients’ strategies in 26 countries. It marks our team’s international business success story; an achievement that comes as a result of our consistent strong values.”