| Overall Score | 3.6 | 3.1 |
| Type | Global IT Services / Digital | European MSP |
| Employees | 350000 | 3500 |
| Founded | 1994 | 1887 |
| Headquarters | Teaneck, New Jersey, USA | Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Revenue | $19.4B | $600M |
| Salary Range | $50,000 - $150,000 | $35,000 - $110,000 |
| Specialties | Managed Services, Cloud, AI & Data, Digital Transformation, Consulting, BPO | Managed Services, Digital Workplace, Cloud, Cybersecurity, Modern Workplace, IT Infrastructure |
| Certifications | Microsoft Partner, AWS Partner, Google Cloud Partner, Salesforce Partner, ISO 27001 | Microsoft Partner, AWS Partner, Cisco Partner, ISO 27001 |
| Green Flags | Strong US and European presence with deep financial services expertise
Digital-first pivot (Cognizant Digital Business, Cognizant Consulting)
Excellent training and development programs (Cognizant Academy)
Broad service portfolio spanning IT, consulting, and BPO | Strong European heritage and 135+ year history in technology services
Deep Benelux market presence with good government relationships
Digital workplace and modern workplace services are well-regarded
Workspace 365 and digital workplace IP provides product differentiation |
| Red Flags | Margin pressure from commoditised application management and testing services
High attrition rates (20-24%) β significantly above industry average
Restructuring cycles under CEO transitions create organisational uncertainty
Below-market compensation for US-based technical talent
Offshoring model means onshore roles in the US/EU are decreasing | Financial instability β multiple ownership changes, near-collapse events
Massive downsizing from peak of 28,000 employees to ~3,500
Private equity ownership churn creates strategic whiplash
Brand reputation damaged by repeated restructuring and asset sales
Limited geographic scope outside Benelux and UK |
| Worker Pros | Strong US brand with good global project diversity
Digital transformation focus provides modern tech exposure
Formal training infrastructure is well-regarded
Financial services expertise is genuinely deep | Long heritage and established brand in Benelux
Digital workplace IP (Workspace 365) is genuinely useful
Good relationships with Benelux government clients
Modern workplace focus aligns with market demand |
| Worker Cons | Below-market salaries for US-based technical roles
High attrition creates constant team instability
Restructuring cycles create anxiety and uncertainty
Onshore technical roles are being phased down
Bureaucratic culture with matrix management overhead | Multiple ownership changes create strategic whiplash
Massive downsizing from 28K to 3.5K β shadow of former self
Below-market compensation across most roles
Limited geographic reach outside Benelux/UK |