OAKLAND, CA – Kaiser Permanente officials say a partnership with IBM will provide management for its data center operations for members, patients and physicians.

As part of the seven-year agreement, IBM will manage Kaiser Permanente's computer systems, storage systems and associated software. Kaiser Permanente will continue to manage applications, including its electronic health record, Kaiser Permanente HealthConnect.

Kaiser Permanente officials say as a result of the agreement with IBM, about 700 positions in its data centers operations will be eliminated. Those affected may be eligible for employment with IBM, they said.

"This agreement, grown out of our long-standing strategic relationship with IBM, will allow us to build on our leadership in healthcare technology, staying focused on the safety, satisfaction and privacy of our members and patients and ensuring that our physicians and clinicians continue to deliver real-time, personalized healthcare," said Phil Fasano, chief information officer for Kaiser Permanente.

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