[Techtaffy Newsdesk]

IBM has signed a strategic agreement with Brazilian business group EBX. As part of the agreement, IBM will acquire 20% of SIX Automacao, the subsidiary of SIX Solucoes Inteligentes, the EBX Group company focused on technology. The agreement gives IBM responsibility for EBX Group’s IT operational activities through an outsourcing agreement valued at approximately $1 billion. The new 10-year contract covers EBX Group’s IT infrastructure investments, operation services and new technology projects.  It will cover all the companies of EBX Group, including international operations, such as those in Chile and Colombia.

The partnership also includes a research collaboration agreement, which will ensure synergy between EBX Group companies and IBM Research. SIX Automacao and IBM will jointly develop research programs and intellectual property focused on natural resources, sustainability and solutions. A new Solution Center for joint industry solutions will be created to give customers in four Latin American countries (Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Peru) the ability to conduct tests, proofs of concept and customize technology for their specific needs.

SIX Automacao was established in October 2011 after the purchase of AC Engineering, with a focus on the oil and gas operations sector. EBX Group is a Brazilian business group, comprising of five publicly traded companies. EBX says it is investing $ 15.5 billion between 2011 and 2012 in Brazil, generating 20,000 jobs. With headquarters in Rio de Janeiro and operations in nine Brazilian states, the group has offices in New York, Colombia and Chile.

[Image Courtesy: EBX Group]