UK business provided a bright spot to an otherwise gloomy financial performance for Atos Origin during the first half of 2009.

Overall revenue at the IT services firm was down by 2.4 per cent during the period as a consequence of business cutbacks in consulting services.

While results from different global business units varied considerably, the UK grew by six per cent, although other regions such as Germany and Central Europe reported a decline of 5.2 per cent.

Despite an overall drop in consulting business – 22.6 per cent down in comparison to 2008 – profit at the managed services division increased by 5.4 per cent.

According to Keith Wilman, UK chief executive at Atos Origin, the recession has resulted in more collaboration with clients to deliver cost-effective solutions.

Wilman said that client focus on using leading-edge technology is shifting towards using proven tools that have a more predictable return on investment, as well as contract models that allow financial flexibility.

“As the industry come out of the recession, services will be delivered differently. There is definitely a trend towards output-based rather than results-based contracting,” he told Computing.

Some of the firm’s transactional-based contracts include a ticketing deal with transport firm Go-Ahead, a business account card programme with hotel chain Premier Inn and the card scheme used by cinema firm Cineworld.