Sainsbury’s connection to BT’s next generation broadband service will provide enhanced network capacity for convenience stores nationwide, as well as major stores and depots. The improved connections with up to four times more capacity will mean that stores and depots will be able to share more data in real time.
Justin King, Sainsbury’s Chief Executive, said: “This deal with BT is a significant step for Sainsbury’s as we continue to invest to support our growth plans. This investment will enhance the productivity of our colleagues in store and allow an even greater focus on serving customers.”
The contract was officially signed on Wednesday 14th December at Sainsbury’s Store Support Centre in Holborn.
Ian Livingston, Chief Executive, BT Group plc, said: “This contract is testament to our ability to deliver complex communications systems to large, multi-sited enterprises, so we’re very proud that Sainsbury’s has chosen us. BT’s next generation network will future-proof Sainsbury’s platform for the coming years and it opens up a range of possibilities for them to be even more creative with the services they offer their customers and colleagues.”
Rob Fraser, Sainsbury’s IT Director, said: “This significant investment drives greater efficiency and productivity now, but is also a key enabler for our ambitious growth plans.”
Sainsbury’s Wide Area Network (WAN), which handles sales and stock ordering details between stores, head office and supply chain centres, will benefit from at least four times greater capacity to stores leading to faster times for all applications as well as for the 22 million customer transactions a week made in Sainsbury’s stores across the country. The investment also provides Sainsbury’s with a foundation on which to develop voice and video services in future.
More than 230 convenience stores have already been connected to the next generation broadband service in just 11 weeks, and all other stores will be upgraded by December 2012. BT is deploying a mix of products, including Ethernet and advanced copper broadband, to improve services to Sainsbury’s main depots, data centres and stores.