IBM Extends Shop Direct Partnership With 10-Year Hybrid Cloud Deal

IBM has announced a 10-year service agreements deal with Littlewoods.com owner Shop Direct as the digital retailer moves its working environment to hybrid cloud.

IBM’s cloud will be used to enable analytics, mobile, social, and security offerings for Shop Direct.

Looking to tap IBM

The retailer currently owns a number of digital department stores, the biggest of which being Very.co.uk. IBM has been Shop Direct’s IT supplier for a number of years now.

Shop Direct CIO Andy Wolfe said: “As the UK and Ireland’s leading multi-brand digital retailer, we’re looking to tap IBM’s cloud computing expertise to allow us to innovate and add value to both the experience we deliver to customers and the working experience we offer our people.”

The services will be delivered through SoftLayer, IBM’s cloud infrastructure platform. IBM MobileFirst Protect will underpin mobile productivity to enable secure access for Apple and Android devices.

Tony Morgan, Client Chief Innovation Officer Strategic Outsourcing Europe, IBM, said: “This announcement is a significant milestone in the deployment of enterprise cloud and extends IBM’s position as the premier global cloud platform.

“Our secure, open enterprise cloud platform will enable Shop Direct to quickly deliver new innovations to its customers and staff and continue to build its leadership as a digital retailer.”

Shop Direct is the UK’s fourth largest online retailer, with annual sales of more than £1.7 billion. Its digital department store brands include Very.co.uk, which is now a reportedly an £800 million brand.

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