Asda has teamed up with Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in a multi-year deal to support the retailer’s digital transformation by implementing a new IT operating model, following its unwinding from Walmart.
The strategic partnership is set to leverage TCS’ cloud, AI, and security solutions to help the grocer deliver the divestiture smoothly, on-time and securely.
The technology company will further enable the supermarket chain to enhance its customer experience and innovation capabilities, to help increase their market share and retain price leadership.
Additionally, the partnership looks to streamline Asda’s supply chain forecasting – such as buying, merchandising and ecommerce processes and warehouse management – through the company’s multiple cloud-based ERP platforms.
The news comes as Asda made two senior tech hires last month to oversee its new technology strategy.
Rob Barnes will join the supermarket early next year as its new delivery director, after serving as chief technology officer at M&S, while Adrian Berry, who was previously CTO of Lowell Credit Management, will become chief technology officer.
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Asda chief executive Mohsin Issa said: “We have a long-term vision to grow Asda and bring our great heritage in value to even more communities – and our technology will form a key part of delivering this vision.
“We have partnered with TCS because they bring experience in retail technology transformation and innovation.
“We look forward to working with them to accelerate our digital transformation journey and to unlock the potential of our business.”
Asda CTO Carl Dawson added: “We are confident that this collaboration with TCS will be one of the engines to deliver such a large technology transformation, where we are in the process of reimagining retail.
“TCS is going to bring together the cutting-edged technologies and help Asda employees and customers have a seamless experience.”
Business head of retail for UK & Europe at TCS, Abhijit Niyogi provised to “leverage the power of data and AI, and deliver innovative, industry-leading retail technology solutions” which would transform Asda’s core retail operations, employee experience, supply chain and create opportunities for new business models.
