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F
Risks analysis [G4-14]
F.2
Business risks [G4-13]
Atos
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Document de Référence 2016
231
F
Risks related to contracts and project performance
F.2.3
may result in significant prejudicial consequences for clients and
either related to delays or to unsatisfactory levels of services,
may result in penalty claims or litigations.
The IT services provided to customers are sometimes a critical
IT systems or any deficiency in the performance of services,
of their businesses. Any inadequate implementation of sensitive
Oftentimes IT solutions also play a key role in the development
element for the performance of their commercial activities.
Below are some of the key risks Atos needs to manage:
Integration frequently involves products (whether software or
products and/or product customization:
Systems
degraded performance resulting from third party
•
cannot control. In addition, the particular requirements of
parties and which, by definition, the IT service provider
customized requirements) designed and developed by third
hardware, standard or adapted or specifically developed for
certain clients who wish for specific functionalities may disrupt
difficulties in providing the services;
the operation of the product or generate significant delays or
penalties for late performance.
other contracts are invoiced according to the service provided.
enter into certain contracts on a fixed-rate basis whereas
delivery failures:
Also, it is a practice of the IT sector to
exposure due to inadequate assessment of services or
•
to an operating loss, by exceeding budget or payments of
may lead to a budget or agreed timeframe overrun, and lead
provided services or dedicated resources to a specific project
For fixed-rate contracts, an under assessed scope of the
being kept for tracking purposes. This process also covers the
which service proposals are reviewed, with an inventory of risks
dedicated specific process is in place, called Atos Rainbow under
assessment of the solution) right from the offer stage. A
where appropriate and follow up on outstanding actions.
registers. This allows the Group to take any mitigating action
execution phase of the contract, including updates of the risk
rigorous review processes (of which a technical & delivery
The Group seeks to minimize the risks described above through
obligations and performance management.
activities, combining legal risk assessment, contractual
accounts to globalize and homogenize contract management
Group Contract Management program is deployed on major
In order to further strengthen Atos’ operational excellence, a
Acquisition / External growth risk
F.2.4
Acquisitions / external growth operations may have adverse
in the case of:
impacts on the achievement of the Group’s objectives, especially
during the acquisition process;
under-performing contracts which were not properly identified
•
employees.
synergies from being reached or ineffective integration of
ineffective integration efforts preventing expected level of
•
In the context of the recent acquisitions (Xerox IT Services,
Unify, Equens), Atos has rolled out an integration program
of contracts and implement corrective actions.
at risk in all countries in order to assess properly the fair value
practices, and included notably an in-depth review of contracts
efficiency in these activities through the use of Atos best
“Integration Committee”. This program aimed to improve
closely monitored by general management through a weekly