TEANECK, N.J., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH), a leading provider of consulting, technology, and business process outsourcing services, has announced that Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, the world's largest publisher of educational materials for pre-K-12 schools, has selected Cognizant as a business technology services partner. As part of the five-year agreement, Cognizant will provide a range of IT services to drive operational efficiencies in digital publishing technology to support Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's continuing expansion from print products to digital channels for its industry-leading content. In addition, Cognizant and Houghton Mifflin Harcourt will co-establish the HMH Digital Transformation Lab, an innovation center that will further advance research in digital asset management.

"We selected Cognizant for its extensive investment and experience specifically in the publishing industry," said Barry O'Callaghan, CEO, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. "We view our relationship as extending well beyond the boundaries of a traditional technology services provider. Both companies share a commitment to driving innovation in publishing technology."

"We are honored to be selected as a trusted partner by such a respected brand in the publishing world," said Francisco D'Souza, President and CEO, Cognizant. "At a time when virtualization and digitization are driving sweeping changes in the publishing business, Cognizant will work closely with Houghton Mifflin Harcourt to realize the full promise of new technologies."

"We look forward to helping Houghton Mifflin Harcourt unlock incremental efficiencies from their existing systems, using our best-in-class application development and maintenance frameworks," said Gajen Kandiah, Senior Vice President, and Head of the Information, Media and Entertainment practice at Cognizant. "In addition, through the dedicated HMH Digital Transformation Lab, we will co-innovate to develop and test new concepts that will bring industry-changing offerings to the education market helping HMH deliver higher value products for its customers."

About Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Boston-based Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company is a global education leader and the world's largest publisher of educational materials for pre-K-12 schools. The company publishes a comprehensive set of best-in-class educational solutions, ranging from research-based textbook programs to instructional technology to standards-based assessments for students and educators. The company also publishes an extensive line of reference works and award-winning literature for adults and young readers. With origins dating back to 1832, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt combines its tradition of excellence with a commitment to innovation. To learn more about Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, visit www.hmhpub.com.

About Cognizant's Information, Media & Entertainment Practice

Cognizant's Information, Media, and Entertainment practice provides innovative information technology, consulting, and business process services for advertising and marketing, broadcasting, entertainment, information services, and print and publishing firms. We form strategic partnerships with clients to help them transform their organizations to achieve business growth, increase operational efficiencies, and generate sustainable competitive advantage while significantly reducing costs. We leverage our industry-leading global delivery model to implement solutions quickly and cost-effectively.

About Cognizant

Cognizant (NASDAQ: CTSH) is a leading provider of information technology, consulting, and business process outsourcing services. Cognizant's single-minded passion is to dedicate our global technology and innovation know-how, our industry expertise and worldwide resources to working together with clients to make their businesses stronger. With over 50 global delivery centers and more than 68,000 employees as of September 30, 2009, we combine a unique onsite/offshore delivery model infused by a distinct culture of customer satisfaction. A member of the NASDAQ-100 Index and S&P 500 Index, Cognizant is a Forbes Global 2000 company and a member of the Fortune 1000 and is ranked among the top information technology companies in BusinessWeek's Hot Growth and Top 50 Performers listings. Visit us online at www.cognizant.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes statements which may constitute forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, the accuracy of which are necessarily subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied include general economic conditions and the factors discussed in our most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Cognizant undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

SOURCE: Cognizant

Web site: http://www.cognizant.com/