MONTREAL, December 16, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

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GIB.A (TSX)
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http://www.cgi.com/newsroom

VMware Inc. presented CGI (TSX: GIB.A) (NYSE: GIB) with a Customer of the Year award in the End-User Computing category at VMworld TAM Day 2014 held in San Francisco. CGI was recognized for its virtual desktop infrastructure (VDI) solution, which was used to enable the virtualization of more than 4,000 workstations on behalf of Laurentian Bank of Canada. This distinction testifies to CGI's exceptional experience and expertise in the implementation of cloud computing solutions.

With CGI's solution, Laurentian Bank eliminated 4,000 computers, as well as the servers within a majority of its offices. CGI provided the bank with a secured virtual desktop environment that is cost-effective, easy to deploy and offers great flexibility in terms of storage. The entire virtual infrastructure was delivered via CGI's cloud environment, thus eliminating the need to burden the bank's data processing centers.

"The new virtual desktop environment deployed by CGI has increased our agility in terms of delivering and accessing new application functionality," noted Laurentian Bank Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer Gilles Godbout. "It has also reduced our annual costs for infrastructure support, licensing and onsite user support and has proven to be a more energy efficient solution."

Laurentian Bank is the first banking institution in Canada to make wide use of cloud services within its operations.

"Employing VMware Horizon technology, CGI has designed innovative end-user computing solutions that can meet the needs of clients in various industry sectors," said Andy Nederveld, director of VMware's TAM Program in the Americas. "Their robust Desktop as a Service offering was recognized in the End-User Computing category during TAM Day at VMworld 2014."

"We are honoured to receive this award," added Benoît Godmaire, vice president, banking at CGI. "It recognizes the unique character of our IT Transformation portfolio which offers flexible, accessible, robust and secure solutions. This VDI solution provides performance levels that are equal or superior to traditional workstation solutions. The award also acknowledges the exceptional know-how and quality of our teams at CGI."

About CGI

Founded in 1976, CGI Group Inc. is the fifth largest independent information technology and business process services firm in the world. Approximately 68,000 professionals serve thousands of global clients from offices and delivery centers across the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific, leveraging a comprehensive portfolio of services including high-end business and IT consulting, systems integration, application development and maintenance, infrastructure management as well as a wide range of proprietary solutions. With annual revenue in excess of C$10 billion and an order backlog exceeding C$18 billion, CGI shares are listed on the TSX (GIB.A) and the NYSE (GIB). Website: http://www.cgi.com.

Investors: Lorne Gorber, Senior Vice President, Global Communications and Investor relations, lorne.gorber@cgi.com, +1-514-841-3355; Media: Sébastien Barangé, Director, Communications, sebastien.barange@cgi.com , +1-514-841-3354

SOURCE CGI Group Inc