IT services provider Cognizant announced its deal with Purdue Pharma to optimize its IT platform to improve business efficiency and drive enterprise agility. Purdue Pharma is working with Cognizant to simplify its core application processes to manage its business applications on the SAP platform, including manufacturing, supply chain, and quality systems. At a new associated Purdue manufacturing facility in Durham County, North Carolina, Cognizant will help extend Purdue's core SAP and integrated application suite within the timelines defined by the project team for manufacturing commercial batches in the new plant. Larry A. Pickett, Jr., chief information officer, Purdue Pharma, said: "Cognizant's approach ensured continuity of business critical processes while simplifying our operations and driving higher levels of efficiency. We are now renewing our focus and combined energies on growing our business and innovating for the future."