T-Systems, a Deutsche Telekom subsidiary, expands its presence in the US healthcare market with the signing of a multi-year agreement with Presbyterian Healthcare Services (PHS) to manage data center operations for PHS in New Mexico. 

T-Systems will transform Presbyterian's existing IT environment into a dynamic services model by managing data center operations to provide a highly reliable and available infrastructure with predictable costs of operation.

As part of the agreement, T-Systems and Presbyterian will create a Center of Excellence for Health Solutions in Albuquerque. The Center will focus on the development of new healthcare IT tools and technologies for Presbyterian practitioners to pilot.

"Winning against a field of top IT services providers to have the opportunity of partnering with Presbyterian is a sustainable success for our strategic entry into the booming US health industry," says Reinhard Clemens, member of Deutsche Telekom Management Board and T-Systems CEO. 

"For the years to come, we are anticipating further outsourcing tenders in the health sector, so we want to be in a position to serve them well," he said.

"Together with Presbyterian we will work on new IT solutions for the health industry by bundling the required skills and competencies into a dedicated center.  The result will be an overall enhancement to healthcare services through mobile solutions for healthcare professionals and health applications for patients," added Clemens. 

Approximately 40 Presbyterian IT employees will transfer to T-Systems and will remain in Albuquerque. The data center operations, currently located in Albuquerque, will move to Houston, Texas as part of the 10-year contract.

"We selected T-Systems in part because we believe they are the right partner who will, first and foremost, support and enhance our mission and vision," said Paul Briggs, Presbyterian's executive vice president and chief operating officer. "By partnering with T-Systems to manage our IT infrastructure, we will be able to focus on providing high quality and affordable healthcare in New Mexico. We are particularly pleased that our employees have the opportunity to continue their work with Presbyterian and will benefit by being part of T-Systems," Briggs said.

T-Systems established a dedicated healthcare business area three years ago and since then has, together with partners, developed a number of solutions for hospitals, doctors' practices, health insurers and geriatric care.