An innovative and nimble information technology outsourcing arrangement between New York publishing firm Simon & Schuster and Lockheed Martin has been recognized as one of 30 semifinalist pairings in Outsourcing Journal's Annual Editor's 2003 Choice Awards Program.

The award recognizes excellent relationships between outsourcing partnerships in seven categories: Best partnership, most visionary, most improved process, most strategic, most flexible, best government and best steps. Seven awards will be given, one in each category.

Lockheed Martin Information Technology was awarded an eight-year contract in 2000 to manage and staff the publishing company's data center, including mainframe, mid-range, and Windows NT servers; network, applications development and maintenance; web hosting and support; help desk; and desktop support, including asset management.

Both companies have viewed their partnership as highly beneficial to both parties. In the nomination for the award, Simon and Schuster CIO Anne Mander credited "an environment between our two companies that rewards innovation at every level, and encourages creative thinking. This has saved us both money and time."

Winners will be announced at a special awards dinner held in conjunction with the Sourcing Interests Group conference in May and will be featured in the May 15 issue of Outsourcing Journal and a May 26 special supplement in Forbes Magazine.

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin is a global enterprise principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture and integration of advanced technology systems, products, and services. Information Technology is a business unit of Lockheed Martin providing information technology business systems, managed services and infrastructure outsourcing solutions to customers throughout the world.

SOURCE: Lockheed Martin