Logica has announced that it is to provide information system technology services for the next three years to the European Space Agency (ESA) for use at its ESRIN establishment in Frascati near Rome. The deal worth 7.5 million Euros will see Logica take on responsibility for operational integration, verification and validation of the ESA’s Earth observation data software. ESA will benefit from greater uptime and reduced administration costs through outsourcing the management of the highly complex testing and upgrade process. Logica will work as the prime contractor supported by Elsag Datamat and Siemens as sub-contractors.
ESA provides Earth observation data to a vast network of scientists and researchers across Europe. The importance of Earth observation data has grown as more and more international and national agencies recognise its many uses. The increased interest in the information has meant that ESA has expanded its capabilities over recent years and now operates over 100 separate systems to acquire, process and disseminate data to users. With such complexity ESA required a supplier that could effectively manage, test and monitor software upgrades and new applications prior to placing into a live environment, thereby ensuring maximum uptime for these mission critical systems.
Stuart Martin, Logica’s Space Business Director, said: “Logica is delighted to be delivering this mission-critical service for ESA to ensure the integrity of the operational systems used for Earth observation. This contract marks a significant step in Logica’s growing relationship with ESA’s Earth observation programme. Our aim is to help ESA outsource its routine IT activities such as system integration and testing, leaving its staff with more time to focus on their core business.”
The Operational Integration, Verification and Validation (OIVV) contract gives Logica responsibility for ensuring that all of the software systems used by ESA and its partner receiving and processing centres are thoroughly tested and validated before they are introduced to the live, operational environment. In a first for ESA the OIVV activity will be delivered as a fully outsourced service, governed by a robust service level agreement.
This contract builds on Logica’s commercial information systems integration and testing experience across many industrial sectors, and specifically in large satellite ground segment integration programmes such as the UK Skynet 5 management segment.
The OIVV contract commenced on the 1st April 2010, and will run until the 31 July 2013, with the option of a further two-year extension.
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the European Space Agency
The European Space Agency (ESA) is Europe’s gateway to space. Its mission is to shape the development of Europe’s space capability and ensure that investment in space continues to deliver benefits to the citizens of Europe and the world.
ESA is an international organisation with 18 Member States. By coordinating the financial and intellectual resources of its members, it can undertake programmes and activities far beyond the scope of any single European country.
ESRIN is ESA’s centre for Earth observation based in Frascati, south of Rome, Italy. It manages the ground segment for ESA and third-party Earth-observation satellites, maintaining the largest archive of environmental data in Europe, coordinating over 20 ground stations and ground-segment facilities throughout Europe and cooperating with another 20 foreign ground-segment operators worldwide. It is home to ESA’s Directorate of Earth Observation Programmes.
More information is available at www.esa.int
About Logica
Logica is a business and technology read service company, employing 39,000 people across 36 countries. The company delivers business consulting, systems integration and outsourcing across all industries and business functions. Logica creates value by successfully integrating people, business and technology to create effective, sustainable business ecosystems. Employees apply insight to create innovative answers to help with business needs.
Press contacts
Rima Awad – Head of PR and Media Relations, Logica – rima.awad@logica.com
07_799 _477 _158
Nadia Nandi – UK PR Manager, Logica –
nadia.nandi@logica.com
07_921 _932 _363
Dieter Isakeit – ESRIN Corporate Communication Office, European Space Agency, Frascati (Rome)
Dieter.Isakeit@esa.int 39 _06 _941 _80 _950