TUI UK, the newly combined businesses of Thomson Holidays and Lunn Poly, have announced an eight year technology services relationship with IBM.

This will establish a single computing infrastructure for all of TUI UK businesses as well as Britannia Airways. As a result of the deal, TUI anticipates making savings of 20% on its current desktop spend.

The agreement, worth EUR 57 million, USD 51m, over eight years, involves the transfer to IBM of approximately 20 TUI UK employees in the middle of the year. The agreement was awarded following a competitive bidding process which was completed in under six months.

IBM Global Services will assume responsibility for the management of TUI UK computing systems including the management of its entire server infrastructure, the provision of PC help desk and technical support for more than 10,000 workstations across a range of varying brands. “With its 40 years of experience providing technology and services to the travel industry, IBM is uniquely equipped to help us establish a unified information technology infrastructure that will support our growing business,” said Jim Mann, CIO TUI Northern Europe. He added: “We chose IBM, because of its proven track record and because it is able to implement changes quickly and successfully. Working together we will take a quantum leap forward in terms of our IT and by fully exploiting our e-infrastructure, we`ll create real competitive edge while achieving cost savings.”

“This agreement will give TUI the technology foundation to continue doing what it does best - providing world-class travel services to both businesses and consumers. Combined with IBM`s recent wins with Cendant, Air Canada and Japan Airlines, this agreement underscores the company`s commitment to delivering sustainable business value to the travel industry,” said Richard Atkins, general manager, IBM Global Services, North Region EMEA.

The new alliance builds on the successful IT services relationship IBM has had with with Thomson Holidays since 1997. IBM performs a wide range of services for Thomson Holidays` including e-business hosting, server management, and PC support TUI UK is the corporate name of the newly merged businesses of Thomson Holidays and UK Distribution, (including Lunn Poly) and incorporating some of the functions of the former Thomson Travel Group. TUI UK is the leading Holiday Company in the UK and includes the tour operating brands Thomson, Portland Direct, Skytours, Just and Club Freestyle as well as travel retailers Lunn Poly, Skydeals, Travel House Group and Team Lincoln. TUI UK forms part of TUI Northern Europe, which also includes the Specialist Holidays Group, TUI Ireland and TUI Nordic. TUI Northern Europe is, in turn, part of Preussag whose head office is in Hanover, Germany. Also part of Preussag is Britannia Airways, part of TUI Airlines which includes Britannia Nordic and Hapag Lloyd as well as interests in the airlines White Eagle, Corsair and Neos.

 

 

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www.preussag.de

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