GLOBAL energy innovator Schneider Electric selected Xerox to modernize its IT infrastructure as part of a seven-year, $153 million agreement. Xerox will modernize the company's North American IT infrastructure operations by first consolidating its data centers and managing them with cost-effective, state-of-the-art automated processes that respond to the fluctuating market demands of the energy sector. Xerox also will assume responsibility for running the company's help desk, which Schneider employees rely on to trouble-shoot daily issues with their computers, including assisting remote employees who use mobile devices. “Xerox proved to us that they understood our needs of not only modernizing our IT infrastructure but also consolidating, centralizing and becoming more virtual," said Herve Coureil, chief information officer, Schneider Electric. “We expect the introduction of significant disruptive technologies that make us more agile and productive as a result of this agreement as well as a greener, more sustainable IT platform, which is important to our business and walking the talk in energy management." By choosing Xerox to enhance its IT operations, Schneider can continue to focus on meeting emerging energy trends by taking advantage of the latest, disruptive technologies, said Kevin Kyser, chief operations officer of Xerox's IT outsourcing group. “Schneider Electric is simplifying its internal IT operations as it continues to lead in the evolving energy industry," said Kyser. “We will help them pave the way to cloud computing. This transition will allow Xerox to introduce new technologies as well as standardized processes in centralized locations." – SG