Sears goes to Computer Sciences for IT support

Computer Sciences this week announced a $1.6 billion, 10-year deal to handle the information technology services of Sears, Roebuck and Co.

According to the agreement, Computer Sciences will provide support for the retail giant's desktops and servers, as well as for its voice and data networks. The company will also provide services for systems that support Sears' Web sites.

Overall technology standards, architecture and service policies will remain Sears' responsibility.

Sears said the deal will help it focus on its core retail business and related services. About 200 workers handling technical services at Sears will be gradually transferred to Computer Sciences.

El Segundo, Calif.-based Computer Sciences has won several outsourcing contracts for technology services, a market in which EDS and IBM also compete. But Computer Sciences got beat by Accenture this week in a bid for a $10 billion contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

"We believe this strategic relationship will be a win-win for Sears and CSC," Gerald Kelly Jr., Sears' chief information officer, said in a statement. "As a multinational retail and related-services company, there's a significant advantage to Sears to have these services provided by a world-class technology partner like CSC."