Canada’s CGI Inc, the global IT and business consulting firm, said it signed a six-year extension to its contract with City of Edinburgh Council, extending its role as primary provider of end-to-end managed IT services to the local authority until 2029.
The contract extension is valued at around £100 million.
The deal tasks CGI with helping to deliver Edinburgh’s vision of becoming one of the world’s “smartest” capital cities.
Montreal-based CGI said it will achieve this goal partly through supporting the creation of a Smart City Operations Center which will “deliver transformative digital services using artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and advanced analytics to accelerate benefits to Edinburgh’s citizens.”
Depute Council Leader Cammy Day said: “Becoming a smart Capital city will make Edinburgh a more sustainable and fair city so I’m pleased we’ve secured CGI’s long-term support to help us with our vision.
“We’re already well on our way to transforming the way we deliver many council services, making them much more efficient and easy to use for residents.
“We want to develop this further and under the contract, we’re looking at making digital learning services a lot more accessible and inclusive for all our pupils and residents.
“The work we’ll do with CGI will also support our plans for lowering carbon emissions and lowering costs by using smart technology.”
Planned improvements will include “bridging the digital divide” in Edinburgh, providing schools with digitally advanced networks and equipment, and helping Edinburgh meet its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2030.
Smart City systems will address core programs and projects such as finance, tourism, health and social care, intelligent traffic signals, smart streetlights, and even intelligent sanitation systems.
CGI said it will also help enable further efficiencies and savings for City of Edinburgh Council.
Lindsay McGranaghan, CGI’s Vice President and Business Unit Leader for Scotland, said: “Edinburgh is a vibrant and diverse capital city that is growing at twice the national Scottish average.
“This growth brings huge opportunities to develop a modern, digital infrastructure that meets the demands of 21st century living.
“By using the latest digital technology, we aim to help the council make living and working in Edinburgh more transparent, collaborative and dynamic.
“The council’s vision will enhance its relationship with its citizens, and allow them to live and work in a digitally-advanced smart city.”
Tara McGeehan, President of CGI’s operations in the UK and Australia, said: “I’m delighted that CGI is extending its strategic partnership with City of Edinburgh Council.
“At CGI our work on Smart Cities is incredibly important to us. We draw on experience from Montréal, Helsinki, and other cities around the world in bringing Smart Cities to life, and we take a pragmatic approach to enabling technology.”