BT Global Services has won a five-year contract with Debenhams to upgrade the retailer’s data network onto its next generation, high-speed 21CN software-driven network. This will involve 159 stores across the UK and Ireland, distribution centres and data centres. The network, which transmits sales and stock order details from stores to its head office and supply chain centres around the UK, will be up to 16 times faster.
As well as upgrading the retailer’s WAN, BT will also provide new network management tools, which will monitor systems to help ensure that links to Debenhams’ tills, supply chain systems and transactional database are always running. It will also identify any areas of the computer network that are performing poorly, so that they can be fixed quickly.
Steve Kircher, IT director at Debenhams, says: “It’s a fundamental requirement for retailers to have IT systems that are always available - transmitting vital sales, transactions and information around the business. By future-proofing and closely monitoring our IT networks, we will not only be able to communicate faster and more efficiently, we will also be able to stay ahead of competition and be ready to roll-out new applications in line with business requirements.”
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