Affiliated Computer Services Inc. has signed a seven-year, US$610 million IT outsourcing contract with The Walt Disney Co., according to ACS spokeswoman Lesley Pool. "We"ll be supporting their technology infrastructure, their network architectures, providing desktop help assistance and some additional computer processing services," Pool said.

As part of the deal, approximately 500 Disney IT workers will transfer to Dallas-based ACS. "This is a significant opportunity to provide IT outsourcing services," Pool said. "We will gain the people -- they"ll come aboard ACS and support Disney. So Disney"s technology people are now joining a technology company."

Pool said the agreement will enable Disney to focus more closely on its core business, which is the entertainment industry. "It lets us pick up the technology offerings and bring them better technology, newer technology and take their technology folks and begin to advance them in their technology career paths."

Disney officials could not be reached for comment.