UPMC, the 20-plus academic hospital system in Pittsburgh, Pa., is investing $120 million over the next four years in data intelligent infrastructure from theArmonk, N.Y.-based tech giant, IBM. The goal of UPMC is to change the way that treatments are designed for individual patients by effectively using massive volumes of patient and research data.

“UPMC is keenly focused on creating new models of effective and affordable care, supported by good science and smart technology. Extending our long partnership with IBMis a key part of that strategy,” UPMC CIO Daniel Drawbaugh said in a statement.

The partnership extends IBM and UPMC’s original deal, which was signed back in 2005. Under that agreement, UPMC says it saved or avoided costs of more than $191 million over six years, eliminating the need to create a new data cente. Under the new agreement, IBM and UPMC will continue to collaborate on the development of medical technologies that improve care and the patient experience and remain among the founding partners in the Center for Connected Medicine, a showcase for how technology can transform healthcare.

In the past, IBM has worked with UPMC to design a virtualized technology infrastructure that shortened information backup times by 20 percent and recovery times by 50 percent. The project helped deal with expanding patient volume and data growth for UPMC. It also supported UPMC’s EMR system.