NiSource and IBM sign agreement to transform key business process and technology functions

MERRILLVILLE, IN and ARMONK, NY – NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI) and IBM (NYSE: IBM) announced that they have reached a definitive agreement for IBM to provide a broad range of business transformation and outsourcing services to NiSource. IBM will begin service delivery on July
1, 2005.

The 10-year agreement is estimated to be worth $1.6 billion to IBM in service fees and project costs and is expected to deliver upwards of $530 million in operating and capital cost savings across NiSource’s 15 primary operating subsidiaries over the course of the contract, as well as provide technology advances and enhanced service capabilities.

NiSource’s cost to achieve will include $35 million in one-time severance expenses and $35 million in transition costs. In addition, NiSource expects to incur approximately $50 million in governance costs over the 10-year life of the contract. Charges for NiSource’s cost to achieve are expected to be reported largely in 2005 and, to a lesser extent, in 2006. In addition, NiSource will report a $21 million one-time, non-cash pension expense related to severed employees and employees who accept positions with IBM.

“This agreement will enable NiSource to transform its business to further focus on core strengths of providing safe, reliable utility and pipeline services to our customers,” said Gary L. Neale, NiSource chairman and chief executive officer. “In addition, this agreement will enable us to access new technology and service capabilities for our company and state-of-the-art service for our customers, and re-deploy capital toward growth opportunities. Working with IBM will help us achieve our goals of delivering basic support activities while freeing us to focus on our strategic business priorities.”

“IBM will work with NiSource to apply business insight, technology expertise and global delivery capabilities to optimize business performance and create long-term economic benefits,” said Maureen Sweeny, vice president of Business Transformation Outsourcing at IBM. “In this manner, this relationship is a strong example of the type of new partnerships and on-demand business value IBM is targeting in the marketplace for Business Performance Transformation Services.”

As part of this agreement, IBM will operate a broad range of business support functions for NiSource, including processes within the human resources, finance and accounting, supply chain (procurement), customer contact, meter-to-cash (billing and collections) and information technology areas. The agreement also includes a broad array of transformational consulting services and emerging technology expertise, as well as a unique approach to governance between the two companies to rapidly drive value across a multi-process business transformation outsourcing solution. In addition, NiSource and IBM are committed to continuous improvement of levels of customer service, business efficiency and functional integration at NiSource.

Under terms of the agreement, 572 employees of NiSource are expected to become employees of IBM or its subcontractors. Another 445 positions will be eliminated by NiSource by Dec. 31, 2006, throughout the regions in which it operates as work is moved to IBM.

This long-term relationship with IBM is a key component of NiSource’s four-part plan to establish a platform for long-term, sustainable growth. NiSource is focused in 2005 on pursuing growth opportunities in its extensive natural gas pipeline and storage system, implementing regulatory and commercial initiatives in its distribution business, continuing to strengthen its balance sheet through prudent financial management, and identifying innovative ways to manage overall costs and free up additional capital for investment in its core gas and electric operations.

About NiSource
NiSource Inc. (NYSE: NI), based in Merrillville, Ind., is a Fortune 500 company engaged in natural gas transmission, storage and distribution, as well as electric generation, transmission and distribution. NiSource operating companies deliver energy to 3.7 million customers located within the high-demand energy corridor stretching from the Gulf Coast through the Midwest to New England. Information about NiSource and its subsidiaries is available via the Internet at www.nisource.com.

A propos d’IBM Business Consulting Services
Avec des consultants et des spécialistes opérant dans plus de 160 pays, IBM Business Consulting Services est la plus grande société de services de conseil au monde. IBM Business Consulting Services fournit à ses clients des conseils concernant la transformation de l’activité et son expertise métier, ainsi que la capacité de traduire cette expertise en solutions et services à la demande, intégrés et flexibles, qui produisent des résultats financiers positifs. Récemment, IBM Business Consulting Services a développé des compétences en matière de transformation dans des domaines clés tels que les ressources humaines, la gestion financière, la CRM (gestion de la relation client) et les achats. Pour plus d’informations, visitez le site www.ibm.com.

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