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Timeline

The 1960s

Early on, EDS was seeking new ways to serve its clients. We began processing our first client's data by tapping into the idle time – usually at night – on other companies' mainframes. This innovation allowed us to provide the value and security that allowed our clients' business to thrive. EDS grew from a handful of people to more than 500 as our client base expanded and revenues climbed to more than $16 million.

1962
On June 27, Ross Perot founded EDS by incorporating the company with the state of Texas for $1,000. He chose Electronic Data Systems from potential names he scribbled on a pledge envelope during a service at Highland Park Presbyterian Church in Dallas.
Soon after, EDS signed an agreement to buy unused time on Southwestern Life Insurance's IBM 7070 mainframe computer.
Two months and 78 sales calls later, Collins Radio in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, became EDS' first customer. The company flew computer tapes and data to Dallas for processing.
EDS' first employees, Betty Taylor and Tom Marquez, worked on the account.
1963
In February, a five-year agreement with Frito Lay became the IT industry's first facilities-management agreement. In years to come, EDS would repeat this kind of relationship over and over, becoming the IT arm of hundreds of companies. The long-term, set-price relationship with Frito Lay also provided EDS with predictable business, lessening its exposure to economic cycles.
EDS hired its first computer operator, Cecil Walters, who would stay with the company until his retirement 33 years later.
1964
EDS continued processing customers' data with unused time on other companies' computers. Employees filled their car trunks with forms, computer tapes and programs, frequently driving to different locations to process work in the middle of the night.
1965
EDS acquired its first computer, an IBM 1401, setting the stage for growth in the later half of the decade.
1966
The U.S. government enacted the Social Security Act of 1965, creating the Medicare and Medicaid Title XVIII programs. In response, EDS designed a system to process insurance claims and payments for Texas' new Medicare program managed by Texas Blue Cross and Blue Shield. Modified versions of the system were used in other states in rapid succession.
EDS became the first information services company to organize by industry.
1967
1300 EDS Center in Exchange Park, Dallas, Texas, USA became EDS' headquarters.
EDS signed an agreement to manage data processing for the state of Texas' Medicaid program. The company also signed a contract with the state of Kansas to manage its Medicare and Medicaid programs using the Texas system as a model.
EDS introduced its path-breaking On Line System, the first distributed-transaction system, and opened its first data centre. These were the cornerstones of what would become a worldwide network of information processing centers linked by EDSNET, one of the largest private voice and data networks.
Faced with an industrywide shortage of experienced people, EDS created the Systems Engineer Development program.
1968
On Sept. 12, EDS went public with its first stock offering at $16.50 a share. By October, the market value of shares reached $378 million.
The company employed 371 people and had annual revenue of $7.7 million.
EDS entered the bank processing business through a contract with the Exchange Bank of Dallas.
EDS graduated its first Systems Engineer Development class, which included future company leaders. And EDS created the Operations Development Program to meet employee-training needs in the growing facilities-management market.
1969
EDS signed an agreement to handle Blue Shield of California's backlogged Medicare data processing. The business expanded to include processing for Medicaid, Blue Shield of California's standard business and health care for military family members. Through the Blue Shield of California relationship, EDS' first $1 million-a-month contract, the company's work force almost quadrupled from 371 to 1,407 as Blue Shield employees transferred to EDS. Today, EDS maintains its longest continuous customer relationship with California and is one of the world's largest health-care claims processors.
EDS' stock price hit $160 a share, giving the company a paper worth in excess of $1 billion.
The number of EDS-owned mainframe computers expanded to 31.
EDS' motto was "Our business is the intelligent use of computers."

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The 1970s

During the 1970s, EDS expanded into new global markets. Along with that expansion, we removed the boundaries of time and space. Data centers could serve clients wherever their location, whatever their market. EDS brought together hardware and software solutions to make it easier for small businesses to realize their full potential. Company revenues grew from more than $47 million in 1970 to $274 million in 1979. And the number of employees grew from more than 2,000 to more than 10,000 during that same time frame.

1970
EDS established its first regional data centre. The Camp Hill, Pa., facility served customers in multiple industries. Later, another regional data centre opened in San Francisco.
In September, Milledge (Mitch) A. Hart III became EDS' second president. Ross Perot retained the titles of chairman and CEO.
1971
EDS introduced a comprehensive system, called Life Management System II, designed for large life insurance companies. It became the backbone of EDS' Commercial Insurance Division. The system supported every key life-insurance function.
1972
Enrollment in the systems engineering and operations development programs rose to 471.
EDS' recruiting motto emerged: "Eagles don't flock, you have to find them one at a time."
The company unveiled a major health insurance system, providing the basis for EDS to become the world's largest processor of commercial health-insurance claims.
EDS became the owner of legal intellectual property by being granted its first patent (US300814) for a portable input-output terminal invented by Earl Spraker.
In its 10th year, EDS posted annual revenue of $90 million.
1973
Annual revenue topped $100 million for the first time, seven years ahead of the original goal. Meanwhile, to accommodate rapid growth, construction began on a new corporate headquarters in Dallas with no outside funding.
EDS declared its first dividend of 25 cents per share.
1974
EDS signed its first credit union customer.
EDS bought National Information Systems Corp., which provided data processing services and related products to National Liberty Corp. and its subsidiaries.
1975
The company began pursuing business outside the United States through contracts in Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Iran, and Pakistan.
EDS moved into its new headquarters at 7171 Forest Lane in Dallas, where it would remain for 18 years.
1976
EDS began processing airline tickets sold by travel agents and came to lead the market thanks to a sorting device the company patented.
In the health care market, EDS began providing administrative, as well as data processing, services as a result of a contract with the state of North Carolina's Title XIX Prepaid Pharmaceutical Program.
1977
EDS signed its first major contract with the U.S. Government, the National Flood Insurance Program.
EDS formed the National Health Insurance Co. to manage most of its state health care business and EDS Fidelity Corp. to act as underwriters for EDS' employee benefits.
In February, Ross Perot resumed the role of president.
In its 15th year, EDS employed 6,000 people, had revenue of $164 million and processed 334 million online transactions a year.
1978
EDS signed a 10-year facilities management contract with HCA Inc., a life insurance holding company in Denver, bringing the number of client contracts to 110.
Automated teller machines, electronic funds transfer and real-time point-of-sale terminals were introduced, providing opportunities for EDS to expand in the financial market.
EDS processed 149 million health-insurance claims during the year.
1979
Mort Meyerson was named president.
EDS reorganized into three groups: Insurance, Commercial and Government.
The corporation began pursuing U.S. Government business with the acquisition of Potomac Research Inc., a research and development firm already providing services to the government.
EDS provided the U.S. Department of Defense with eligibility verification for more than 25 million beneficiaries in the U.S. Defense Eligibility and Enrollment Reporting System.
EDS acquired Compusource Corp., a firm specializing in small business computer systems.
EDS began operations in Great Britain and the Netherlands.
Paul Chiapparone and Bill Gaylord, two EDS employees imprisoned in Iran, were freed.

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The 1980s

EDS expanded its collaboration with new partners when General Motors (GM) acquired the company in 1984. We managed GM's global telecommunications network and linked its suppliers and dealers in the first large-scale electronic data interchange (EDI) environment. EDS also found new ways to link computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering technologies to shorten lead times and improve manufacturing. Revenues grew from almost $375 million to more than $5 billion. In 1989, more than 56,000 EDS people – a five-fold increase in 10 years – were providing client solutions every day.

1980
Serving 106 airline members of the Air Transport Association of America, EDS provided the data processing to transfer more than $8 billion a year between the airlines and the travel agents who wrote the tickets. EDS processed 3.4 million transactions daily at its five regional data centres.
EDS expanded its marketing efforts to Mexico City, opening up the Latin America market.
The first contract with a local government agency was signed with Orange County, California.
EDS began providing IT services to the petroleum industry.
1981
EDS was the largest supplier of computer services to the U.S. health insurance industry, serving Medicare programs in 16 states.
The company expanded to other markets, including the Mexican government and Multibanco Comermex, S.A., Mexico's third-largest bank.
EDS acquired CUNADATA Corp., one of the largest U.S. credit union data processing networks, and Centurion Computer Corp., a manufacturer of minicomputers. Centurion gave EDS the capability to customize equipment for customers who needed specially designed systems.
A two-for-one split of EDS stock occurred in July.
1982
The U.S. Army awarded EDS a 10-year $650 million contract, then the largest in the history of the information services industry. Through the contract, known as Project Viable, EDS built an information technology system for the Army to support its worldwide human resources activities. Viable proved EDS' technical depth and business sophistication. It also showed that different kinds of computers could be compatibly linked on a large scale.
EDS introduced the Insurance Machine, a computer system designed to help issue and administer life, health, and annuity policies.
EDS began offering CUNADATA 2000, a distributed application tying remote credit union processing to central host computers and stores.
EDS*NET, the company's new voice and data communications network, handled about 5 million data transactions from 20,000 online customer terminals each day.
1983
EDS won the U.S. Navy Inventory Control Points Contract, an eight-year, $350 million deal.
In the health care and commercial insurance markets, EDS signed new and renewal contracts worth some $500 million.
The company acquired Alpha Beta Associates, Optimum Systems Inc., Automated Health Systems, and Weiland Computer Group, expanding their capabilities and presence in the community banking industry.
Ken Follett's book On Wings of Eagles was written about the dramatic rescue in 1979 of two EDS employees imprisoned in Iran.
A two-for-one stock split occurred in June.
Revenue for the year was $651 million.
1984
On June 27, exactly 22 years after the company's founding, GM agreed to buy EDS for $2.5 billion. On Oct. 18, the merger was finalized, and EDS became a wholly owned subsidiary of GM. The automaker issued GM Class E shares, linked to EDS' performance, to GM and EDS stockholders. GM's data centres were added to the growing EDS*NET. To keep pace with the growth, EDS hired more than 2,300 systems engineers.
AT&T engaged EDS to provide person-time for short-duration contracts.
In the United Kingdom, EDS signed contracts with the British United Provident Association and Unilever plc. The Unilever contract marked the first time EDS managed voice and data for a customer. EDS opened data centres in London and Spijknisse, Netherlands.
1985
Revenue rocketed 264 percent to $3.4 billion.
Two information processing centres opened at EDS' new 362-acre complex in Plano. Centres were also opened in Auburn Hills, Mich., Charlotte, N.C., and Herndon, Va. Print output centres were added in Flint, Mich., and Troy, Mich.
Around the globe, EDS owned or occupied more than 6 million square feet of office and computing space, roughly the equivalent of three Empire State Buildings.
EDS entered the Australian, Brazilian, Canadian, French, German and New Zealand markets, increasing its global presence to 21 countries.
To boost employee training, the Marketing Development Program and Engineering Systems Development programs were started.
During the year, nearly 9,000 employees transferred to EDS and nearly 7,000 others were hired. As many as 25,000 employees out of 40,000 had less than six months' experience with EDS.
A two-for-one stock split occurred in June.
1986
On April 28, Les Alberthal, who joined EDS in 1968, was named president and chief executive officer, and Mort Meyerson became vice chairman.
EDS formed a joint venture with the Lucky-Goldstar Group, one of South Korea's largest corporations. The joint-venture company, Systems Technology Management Corp., marked the first time EDS' educational programs were offered outside the corporation.
EDS also entered into a joint venture with Nippon Telephone & Telegraph in Japan, expanding EDS' efforts in the Pacific Rim.
EDS signed a contract with Shell-Brazil and entered the Venezuelan market, further expanding its Latin American presence.
EDS completed GM's Dealerline, a comprehensive system that automated virtually every aspect of GM dealers' operations.
On Dec. 1, Ross Perot, Mort Meyerson, senior vice president Bill Gayden and chief financial officer Tom Walter left EDS. The buyout cost GM $742 million and allowed GM to complete its acquisition of EDS.
1987
EDS marked its 25th anniversary: a $1,000 investment had become a $4.4 billion revenue company with computing and communications operations around the globe.
EDS completed EDS*NET, linking customers and computing facilities on six continents.
France's premier computer services company, Société pour L'Informatique, became EDS' largest international acquisition to date. Nearly 600 of its employees joined EDS.
EDS opened an information processing centre in LeBlanc Mesnil near Paris. The Medi-Cal contract, the United States' largest Medicaid operation, was signed in California.
EDS also acquired Amtec Information Services, bringing EDS into industrial electronic publishing.
1988
EDS acquired MTech Corp., a Dallas-based operator of automated teller machines, for $347 million. This strengthened EDS' position as the leading provider of data processing support for U.S. financial institutions.
EDS became the largest information services company in Taiwan by acquiring 50 percent of China Management Systems.
EDS and Apple Computer joined forces to develop imaging technologies and support systems.
EDS initiated the C4 program, linking computer-aided design, manufacturing and engineering technologies to shorten the time it took GM to bring new vehicles to market.
EDS signed its first non-GM plant automation agreement with Caterpillar.
1989
The company's 27-year tradition of growth continued with record revenue of $5 billion.
EDS established an organizational structure consisting of 38 strategic business units and 49 strategic support units.
EDS launched a new vision statement: "EDS will be globally recognized as the premier provider of information technology services on the basis of our contribution to the success of our customers."
EDS opened the Information Management Centre in Plano to manage its global communications network and information processing centers. It was the world's most sophisticated network control center.
Hitachi joined EDS to form a long-term joint venture combining Hitachi's hardware experience with EDS' IT services expertise.
EDS helped with the inaugural JASON Project, which beamed live images from the floor of the Mediterranean Sea to school children in museums across North America.

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The 1990s

The 1990s brought new strategies, services and solutions to our clients. From managing network security to the immense flow of information that drives all businesses, clients turned to EDS to establish trust with their customers while remaining vigilant about information security and privacy. From managing the largest IT alliance in the financial services industry to providing electronic customer relationship management for an Internet start-up, we provided winning solutions for our clients.

EDS began the decade with 61,000 people and grew to about 120,000. Revenue tripled during the 1990s, reaching $18.5 billion in 1999.

1990
In Europe, EDS signed a 10-year systems management agreement with Saab Automobile in Sweden. This marked the largest non-GM international contract to date. The company also signed a significant systems management contract with Chausson, a French industrial firm. Other major deals included a contract with the U.K. Department of Social Security, First Fidelity Bank and an agreement to run the Small Multi-User Computer program with the U.S. Government It was the largest U.S. Government contract to date.
EDS implemented the GM Pulsat Network, a satellite system to improve the flow of information between GM and its 9,700 dealerships.
EDS entered the cellular communications market by acquiring Apex Corp., a worldwide provider of cellular communications products and services. Renamed EDS Personal Communications Corp., the new unit continued its market leadership in the United States. It also took a front-line role in marketing cellular communications technology in Europe, including countries in the former Eastern bloc that were building their communications infrastructures virtually from scratch.
In July, the U.K. strategic business unit moved into new headquarters at Stockley Park outside London.
EDS began a selective advertising campaign for the first time in its 28-year history and began using a new corporate logo featuring the letters "EDS" inside a blue box.
EDS and the Friends of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial joined forces to develop In Touch, a system linking veterans with friends and family members of American military people who died in Vietnam.
The EDS-sponsored Information Age Exhibit opened at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington.
A two-for-one stock split occurred in March.
1991
EDS signed a $2.1 billion agreement to manage computer and communications facilities for System One, the reservations system for Continental Airlines Holdings Inc. By signing additional contracts with National Car Rental System Inc. and Hospitality Franchise Systems, EDS could now provide Continental with a suite of transportation, reservation and accommodation-support systems.
EDS acquired SD-Scicon plc for $265.7 million, adding $470 million in revenue and more than 4,000 employees to its European operations.
With SD-Scicon, EDS also acquired GFI Informatique, one of the largest systems-management companies in France. The acquisition strengthened EDS in Europe.
To increase its aerospace industry business, EDS acquired McDonnell Douglas Systems Integration Co., later known as Unigraphics and UGS. With the acquisition, EDS also obtained Unigraphics, a top computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing system, and the Graphic Data System.
The company also acquired a 19.9 percent equity stake in Japan Systems, a Japan-based information-services company primarily involved in software development.
EDS strengthened its position in client-server and imaging technologies by supporting the Harvard Community Health Plan and its InterPractice system.
EDS opened its first corporate marketing center, the Information Technology Pavilion, at the Infomart in Dallas.
Non-GM revenue exceeded 50 percent of total EDS revenue for the first time since 1984.
1992
Revenue hit $8.2 billion.
EDS played a major role in developing, marketing and launching the GM MasterCard, which enjoyed immediate success with 2.8 million new accounts in three months.
EDS signed an $800 million systems management contract with Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, one of EDS' largest to date.
EDS designed and installed the official Results Reporting Information Systems for the 1992 Olympic Summer Games in Barcelona, Spain.
EDS acquired two German IT services companies, mbp and Idee. mbp, Germany's oldest IT services and software company, expanded EDS' knowledge of production control technology in the steel, manufacturing and energy industries. IDee, a provider of data center services, applications development and support, increased EDS' range of technical and commercial applications, particularly in computer-aided design and financial applications.
The Northern Europe strategic business unit opened its new headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.
A two-for-one stock split occurred in March.
1993
EDS moved its headquarters to Plano.
The company signed a $1 billion contract with Kooperativa Förbundet in Sweden and inked a $1.5 billion contract with the U.K. Inland Revenue.
EDS acquired BEI Golembe, a leading financial industry consulting firm, boosting its capability to address the financial industry's need for a business-planning tool to help institutions maximize profit and maintain quality performance. And through its acquisition of Gruppo S&M, EDS entered the Italian information technology market.
EDS had approximately 70,000 employees in more than 30 countries.
EDS hosted its first Global Volunteer Day, with employees performing community service projects around the world.
1994
EDS expanded its results reporting system for the 1994 World Cup soccer tournament to handle results and statistics but also player and equipment logistics, office management, and electronic accreditation at nine U.S. locations. The system bridged some 3,000 miles, linking nearly 1,000 workstations with 50 local area networks.
EDS signed an agreement with Inland Revenue New Zealand. Also, EDS acquired Databank Systems Ltd., a New Zealand company handling bank processing for most of the country's large trading banks, and GCS LTD, another New Zealand company, which provides computer-processing services for much of the New Zealand government.
EDS established relationships with the governments of Hong Kong and Taiwan.
EDS signed a $3.2 billion contract with Xerox, the largest information technology contract ever at the time.
EDS replaced its vision statement with a new statement of intent: "EDS will be the leader in shaping how information is created, distributed, shared, enjoyed, and applied for the benefit of enterprises and individuals worldwide."
1995
EDS finalized its acquisition of A.T. Kearney, the world's fourth-largest privately held management consulting firm. Coupling A.T. Kearney with EDS created a new competitive force in the global management consulting arena.
EDS established operations in South Africa, and the government of South Australia awarded EDS the largest IT contract ever in the Asia Pacific region.
In the United Kingdom, Rolls-Royce Aerospace Group and EDS signed a major agreement, with EDS assuming responsibility for the group's IT infrastructure, network, systems and applications.
1996
On June 7, after 11 years of GM ownership, EDS became an independent company. EDS announced a major restructuring, replacing the Leadership Council with an Executive Council and a Global Operations Council. The new structure was designed to bring smaller, more agile decision-making bodies closer to EDS organizations and clients. EDS also established a new board of directors and named several new corporate officers. GM announced a 10-year service contract with EDS and a similar agreement covering its international operations. On June 10, shares of a new EDS stock began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "EDS." The following day, EDS shares began trading on the London Stock Exchange.
EDS introduced CoSourcing in which EDS and clients shared the risks and rewards of the services EDS provided. The corporation also introduced SupplySource, a service that improved clients' procurement practices.
EDS signed a record number of contracts, including Allison Engine Co., General Motors Acceptance Corp., Kellwood Companies, La Caixa Savings and Loan of Spain, Rolls-Royce Industrial Power Group, Standard Bank of South Africa and the U.S. Defense Department.
1997
EDS ended 1997 with $16.3 billion in new-contract sales, 93 percent more than the previous year.
EDS signed two megadeals worth a combined $5.7 billion with the Commonwealth Bank of Australia and BellSouth in Atlanta. Other new clients included British Airways, Chevron and Mobil.
EDS rolled out its first employee stock plan, called PerformanceShare, giving employees ownership in the company.
EDS acquired Wendover Financial Services, a provider of loan process management services.
1998
EDS was the official information technology services provider for the World Cup in France, developing and maintaining the IT infrastructure and logistics for the largest single sporting event. The EDS-hosted FRANCE98 Web site brought the soccer tournament to 12 million Internet visitors and set four Guinness world records. The site enabled the sale of 2.5 million tickets and 400 World Cup items to people in 55 countries, and accommodated more than 1 billion digital visitors in less than one month.
EDS designed a pioneering system for Ben Gurion Airport in Tel Aviv, Israel, that allows frequent flyers to be automatically inspected using biometric technology to measure bone structure and produce digital scans of unique hand geometry to positively validate passenger identity.
Les Alberthal, the second chairman and chief executive officer in EDS' history, retired Aug. 6.
During the year, EDS signed $11.8 billion in new business, nearly half from outside the United States, and reported revenue of $16.8 billion.
1999
In January, Dick Brown was appointed EDS chairman and CEO.
EDS was awarded the greatest percentage of the industry's largest global agreements with estimated contract revenue of $12 billion. In one of the largest multibillion-dollar pacts of its kind, EDS and MCI WorldCom signed a joint agreement in which EDS turned over management of its global network to MCI WorldCom, and MCI WorldCom turned over the management of its IT infrastructure to EDS.
Other clients included Continental Airlines, Delphi, NASD, the U.K. Department of Social Security and Telecom New Zealand.
EDS acquired MCI Systemhouse, making EDS the largest IT services provider in Canada. EDS was ranked first in Fortune magazine's 1999 Global 500 "Computer Service and Software" category.
EDS reduced its number of business units from 48 to four lines of business – E.solutions (later E.Solutions), Business Process Management, Information Solutions and management consulting subsidiary A.T. Kearney. The company re-orged into three geographic regions and assigned one executive per client.
As the year ended, the EDS global Y2K team performed more than 1,300 successful Y2K projects for clients throughout the world.

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The 2000s

EDS vaulted into the new century with a much celebrated Y2K rollover, performing more than 1,300 successful projects for clients around the world. As EDS celebrated its 40-year anniversary in 2002, the industry it created contributed more than $500 billion to the global economy – nearly half of the world's IT spending. While the company faced its share of challenges in the early 2000s, EDS entered the second half of the decade with a new mindset and increased momentum. EDS won the majority share of the five-year, multibillion-dollar General Motors' systems integration services awards. And EDS signed a three-year extension of its $6.9 billion contract to build the world's largest secure network for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps.

To help move the company from good to great, while becoming "respectable" in all facets of the business, EDS instituted four organizational objectives: accelerate account intensity, increase core effectiveness, maintain the highest level of organizational effectiveness and strive to "fix the mix" so that EDS can achieve profitable growth.

2000
In the predawn hours of the rollover, the EDS Millennium Management Centre in Plano was opened to reporters who witnessed a flawless Y2K transition.
The company introduced a new logo and launched its award-winning "Cat Herders" commercial during Super Bowl XXXIV. The new "Airplane" commercial ran later in the year.
EDS launched its new vision: "EDS ... the recognized global leader in ensuring clients achieve superior value in the digital economy."
EDS debuted an industry first: the Service Excellence Dashboard, an interactive online tool giving leaders a real-time snapshot of the company's performance for thousands of clients worldwide.
EDS won the largest U.S. Government IT contract in history to develop and manage the Navy Marine Corps Intranet (NMCI).
EDS launched the Intelligent Network Foundation, which delivers voice, video and data on wired and wireless platforms, and EDS Mobile, a comprehensive set of mobile services to connect people anytime, anywhere.
EDS signed new business with Weyerhaeuser, the UK Employment Service and Dow Chemical Company. The company also extended relationships with Rolls-Royce and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia.
2001
An estimated 160 million Super Bowl viewers saw EDS' new "Running with the Squirrels" commercial.
EDS acquired Structural Dynamics Research Corp. And the publicly held shares of EDS' Unigraphics subsidiary. The move created a new line of business for EDS, PLM Solutions, and positioned it as a leader in the software development, engineering and design technologies for the automotive, aerospace and consumer products industries.
On July 2, EDS acquired the airline infrastructure outsourcing business and internal IT infrastructure assets of Sabre HOldings Corporation.
EDS became the prime integrator for the largest advanced smart card program for the Defense Manpower Data Center (formerly known as the U.S. Department of Defense), delivering more than 4.5 million cards.
EDS helped a 7-Eleven "Store of the Future" to experiment with new technologies and concepts to distinguish the store from its competition.
In Germany, EDS acquired the IT services firm Systematics AG.
EDS signed a 12-year contract with American Airlines on December 31.
2002
In April, Information Solutions, BPM and E.Solutions were combined into two new lines of business - Operations Solutions and Solutions Consulting. EDS' lines of business became Operations Solutions, Solutions Consulting, A.T. Kearney and PLM Solutions.
EDS became an official technology partner to the Jaguar Racing Formula One team.
EDS signed major financial services contracts with ABN AMRO and Bank of America, making EDS the number one outsourcing services provider to financial institutions.
The Points of Light Foundation announced EDS as a recipient of its Award for Excellence in Corporate Community Service, honoring EDS' overall employee volunteer efforts, community service program, and the policies and corporate vision that support those activities.
On June 27, EDS celebrated its 40th anniversary.
2003
In February, EDS unveiled the Supplier Excellence Dashboard and the Alliance Excellence Dashboard, online tools that extend its emphasis on client service to its suppliers and alliance partners.
On March 20, EDS announced a new executive team, naming Michael H. Jordan as chairman and chief executive officer and Jeff Heller as president and chief operating officer after a brief retirement.
EDS signed a 10-year, $4.5 billion contract with Bank of America in October.
EDS began a three-year relationship with the Salesmanship Club of Dallas as the title sponsor of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship.
2004
In January, EDS acquired Dallas-based IT consultancy, the Feld Group.
In March, EDS sold its UGS PLM Solutions unit to a group of three private equity firms: Bain Capital, Silver Lake Partners and Warburg Pincus.
EDS' new core operations, Global Sales & Client Solutions, Service Delivery, Portfolio Management, and A.T. Kearney, replaced the four lines of business.
The EDS Byron Nelson Championship raised more than $6.09 million in net proceeds for charity.
EDS extended its title sponsorship of the EDS Byron Nelson Championship to 2010.
In July, EDS signed a $1.1 billion extension with Bank of America for its new acquisition, FleetBoston.
In August, EDS won a $750 million contract with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
EDS was awarded the Tech Titan award for its sponsorship and support of the JASON educational program.
EDS Advanced Solutions Inc., signed a 10-year $382 million contract with the British Columbia Ministry of Provincial Revenue.
The EDS Agility Alliance was launched in October, representing the industry's first federation of global market leaders, and is dedicated to the development of the EDS Agile Enterprise Platform - the foundation for EDS' next generation global delivery system. Original members included Cisco Systems, Dell, EMC, Microsoft, Sun Microsystems and Oracle.
2005
EDS and Towers Perrin established a jointly owned HR outsourcing business called ExcellerateHRO.
The company created The Office of the Chief Operating Officer to increase alignment and drive change.
EDS outsourced management of its global real estate function to the Trammell Crow Company, and the company sold 19 buildings, including three on its Plano campus.
EDS marked 20-year anniversaries for the Plano and Auburn Hills SMCs, and its presence in Australia, Belgium, France, Germany, Singapore and the State of Michigan.
EDS and its employees raised more than $3.1 million in support of victims of the tsunami in Southeast Asia and donated more than $2.1 million to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and flooding in western India.
The company also signed significant deals with the UK Ministry of Defence, U.S. Air Force, UK Department for Work and Pensions, Guthy-Renker and Royal Ahold.
EDS and Mubadala Development Company entered into a joint venture, forming Injazat Data Systems in the United Arab Emirates. Injazat provides IT services to government, oil & gas, utilities, financial services, transportation, telecom, and healthcare clients.
2006
General Motors awarded EDS a $3.8 billion, five-year contract making EDS' recompete effort the largest commercial contract bidding process in the IT industry's history.
EDS won a $3 billion extension from the U.S. Navy to continue supporting the Navy Marine Corps Intranet, the world's biggest private network.
EDS signed a $1.7 billion agreement with Kraft Foods Inc., the largest consumer goods contract EDS has signed to date.
EDS signed a $700 million agreement to integrate MBNA Corp.'s communications infrastructure into Bank of America's voice and data network.
EDS acquired a majority stake of MphasiS BFL Limited, a leading IT firm with 12,000 employees based in Bangalore, India.
EDS completed a management buyout of A.T. Kearney, which was acquired in 1995.
The Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $1 billion of EDS common stock over an 18-month time span.
EDS signed a 10-year, $463 million IT services agreement with Italian insurance giant Fondiaria-Sai.
2007
EDS signed an eight-year, $1 billion contract with KarstadtQuelle AG, Europe's leading retail and tourism group. EDS also assumed responsibility for KarstadtQuelle's IT subsidiary, ITELLIUM Systems & Services GmbH.
The UK Ministry of Defence approved two amendments to the Defence Information Infrastructure (Future) contract managed by the EDS-led ATLAS Consortium.
Ron Rittenmeyer was elected chairman of the board in addition to being named president and chief executive officer earlier in the year. Mike Jordan became chairman emeritus and Jeff Heller remains vice chairman of EDS.
EDS acquired RelQ Software Private Ltd, a Bangalore, India-based company. After integrating into EDS, RelQ served as the foundation for a new applications testing and validation service, EDS Global Testing Services.
EDS signed a $715 million IT services contract with Bristol-Meyers Squibb.
Sabre Holdings extended an IT services agreement with EDS, with new revenue valued at approximately $630 million.
EDS and Continental Airlines signed a seven-year IT services contract valued at approximately $550 million.
The Commonwealth Bank of Australia extended its five-year IT services contract with EDS.
EDS acquired a 93 percent equity interest in Saber Corp., a provider of software and services to U.S. state governments. Saber became Saber Government Solutions after merging with other EDS state and local non-healthcare groups.
EDS reached an agreement with SAP AG to expand EDS' global SAP application-based consulting practice.
EDS opened its EDS Brazil headquarters in São Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. The company opened Global Service Centers in Wuhan, China, and Cordoba, Argentina. It expanded its Service Management Center in Tulsa, OK, and opened an electronic health records center of excellence in Warwick, Rhode Island.
2008
On August 26, after more than 46 years since its founding, EDS was acquired by HP for $13.9 billion. Initially announced on May 13, the acquisition created a collective services business with annual revenues of more than $38 billion. EDS became an HP business unit called, EDS, an HP company. The new group had approximately 200,000 employees, operating in more than 80 countries, and based in Plano, Texas. Before the acquisition, EDS had approximately 140,000 employees in 64 countries across the globe.
EDS signed a five-year, $1 billion IT services agreement with Royal Dutch Shell. EDS will act as operational integrator for Shell's other key IT suppliers.
Infocomm Development Authority of Singapore awarded an eight-year IT services deal worth approximately $1 billion to EDS.
The Flemish Government awarded the EDS-Telindus Consortium a $831 million IT contract renewal.
EDS acquired UK-based Vistorm Holdings Limited, a provider of information assurance and managed security services.
EDS acquired the assets of Nexagent, a UK-based provider of hardware and software solutions for network services.
EDS opened a new applications services center in Buenos Aires, Argentina; a software solution center in West Lafayette, Indiana; and a service center in Winnipeg, Canada.
EDS announced a multiyear IT services contract with Symantec Corp. to manage and support Symantec's global computing environment.
EDS extended the companies' 13-year relationship with Guthy-Renker with a $531 million contract.
HP became the title sponsor of the Byron Nelson Championship golf tournament and extended its sponsorship through 2014.
Employees: 140,000 (at acquisition close)

Revenues: $10.99 Billion (revenue reported before acquisition close)
2009
Joe Eazor assumed the role of senior vice president and general manager of EDS. Ron Rittenmeyer retired from EDS as president and CEO.
EDS became a business unit within HP's Technology Solutions Group (TSG), providing customers with the industry's broadest portfolio of information technology products and services.
EDS added Symantec to the EDS Agility Alliance as a key member of its security and endpoint protection portfolio.
EDS and UK-based Aviva, the world's fifth largest insurer, signed a 10-year, $1 billion contract for data center modernization and management services.

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