Phones4U has signed a deal with Fujitsu Technology Solutions to drive cost out of its IT operations and support new growth plans. As part of a delivery partnership with Tata Consultancy Services, Fujitsu will implement a new PRIMERGY BladeFrame data centre solution.

In 2008 TCS made a joint bid with Fujitsu and delivered an innovative option whereby TCS would continue to manage the new, dynamic infrastructure but Phones4U would retain ownership of IT assets. This new model will be initially applied to the two Phones4U data centres housing its critical Siebel retail platform.

Steve Johnson, Director of IT strategy at Phones4U explains: “Fujitsu BladeFrame delivers a cost-effective hardware solution that supports open systems and delivers significantly reduced operating costs. Crucially the technology means we can dynamically reuse capability for development and testing of new services and gives us scalability for long-term growth.

“Fujitsu’s approach and the consequent costs have been consistent throughout the process. It has been flexible enough to deliver what we want without sacrificing quality and the engagement with other parties has meant a joined-up, integrated solution.”

Steve Taylor, IT Managed Services Director, Phones4U commented “The nature of this deal has allowed Phones4U to test our multi-party sourcing model in action. FTS, TCS and a couple of our other partners have worked together in a very effective way through the procurement and the implementation phases of this work. We see this as a model example of how our sourcing model will work in the future. FTS played a central role in the process and we expect the project to deliver significant benefits to our business.”