Apparel retailer Gap Inc, the world's largest specialty apparel retailer, has contracted IBM as its provider for IT infrastructure services.
The 10-year, approximately $1.1 billion contract will provide Gap Inc with mainframe, server, network, helpdesk and deskside support services across its North American stores and corporate locations.
IBM has worked closely with Gap Inc to develop a virtualized server and storage platform strategy that will scale to meet peaks and valleys in demand.
Gap Inc, Chief Information Officer and Executive Vice President, Michael Tasooji said, "IBM is a global leader in infrastructure services and a long-standing partner of Gap Inc."
"Delivering capabilities that drive our retail business, provide competitive advantages and serve our customers are our highest priorities. Transferring our technology infrastructure operations to IBM enables us to deliver and implement these solutions faster," Michael added.
To enhance in-store customer support, IBM will extend its networking capabilities to the company's more than 2,850 North American retail locations. It will provide the technology and integration expertise to migrate the stores to a leading-edge wireless network.
IBM will also consolidate Gap Inc's IT systems and leverage its resources to provide global operations and support.
As part of the relationship, Gap Inc will have access to an IBM Innovation Center, which brings together IBM subject matter expertise from various areas within IBM and IBM knowledge of the retail and other industries.
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