NEWS
BT transports Alstom ’ s global network to a digital future aligns the right solutions to business needs , Alstom chose a managed network service based on the VMware SD-WAN solution . It will be delivered by BT over its new digital service platform .
The service will help Alstom accelerate its ‘ move-to-cloud ’ strategy . It will improve the company ’ s visibility of network traffic allowing it to optimise end-user experience .
BT has announced a five-year contract with Alstom , one of the world ’ s leading providers of systems , equipment and services for the mobility sector , to upgrade its global network with the latest cloudoptimised connectivity solutions .
The new network will connect Alstom ’ s operations at 350 locations in 60 countries , including manufacturing plants , offices , depots and data centres . It will provide agile and secure access to company applications and services used by Alstom ’ s employees , of which 24,000 have been working remotely during the pandemic .
Working with BT consultants using the Smart Transformation process , which
It also includes a range of fully-managed or co-managed options , giving Alstom the flexibility to take control of individual aspects of change management .
Nicolas Vurpillot , Network and Network Security Director , Alstom , said : “ Following a thorough assessment of available SD-WAN technologies , BT demonstrated willingness and capability to innovate , enhance service levels and partner with Alstom to help us achieve our strategic goals .”
Marks & Spencer joins essential digital skills coalition
M
& S , one of Britain ’ s leading retailers , has announced that it has joined FutureDotNow , a coalition of major organisations focused on accelerating the UK ’ s workplace essential digital skills ( EDS ) at scale . FutureDotNow is co-ordinating industry action to get working-age adults across the UK equipped with , at least , the EDS for life and work .
Digital Transformation is key to the UK ’ s economy and individual workers . However , the UK is in the midst of a digital skills crisis : 17 million people are without the EDS for work and only 23 % have had any digital skills training from their employer .
Particularly important to retailers like M & S is digital retail analytics , which provides data on factors including inventory levels , supply chain movement , consumer demand and sales . Analytics are used for maintaining procurement levels and taking marketing decisions . However , these systems depend upon a wide range of people being able to use systems to input data from the frontline .
“ Building the digital and data analytics capabilities of our colleagues is key to the M & S Digital Transformation ,” said Suze Howse , Head of Enterprise Data at M & S . “ We ’ ve already made some great progress with the launch of our BEAM learning academy and continued investment in data education programmes . Fostering a digitally-enabled culture is crucial to the success of M & S and the wider retail industry , which is why we ’ re proud to join the FutureDotNow Coalition , to share insights that will help others and learn from some of the other fantastic organisations in the coalition .”
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