Watson Group looks to transform European infrastructure
A revamp of its core information technology system in Hong Kong has put the AS Watson Group on the path to rebuilding its international IT infrastructure.
With the goal of establishing a unified IT environment, the group has adopted technology from storage specialist EMC, networking giant Cisco Systems and enterprise software firm Oracle to support its worldwide operations.
Chief technology officer Andy Buckle said the business-automation program would enable the AS Watson Group, the retailing arm of Hutchison Whampoa, to continue its expansion and improve customer service. Financial details were not given.
The group operates 3,400 retail stores and employs more than 55,000 staff in 16 countries in Asia and Europe. Its three core business areas are manufacturing, health and beauty, and food, electronics and general merchandise.
As the executive responsible for the group's global IT network, Mr Buckle said it was a challenge to manage multiple retail channels when each location mixed and matched different technological platforms. That situation also made it difficult to get a single, complete view of customers.
'There was considerable strain on the systems,' Mr Buckle said.