Smart421 Limited, part of the KCOM Group (London Stock Exchange KCOM.L), announces today that it has entered a strategic partnership with Virgin Atlantic Airways Limited (VAA), to deliver a programme of IT services to transform VAA’s IT landscape, rationalising current shared services and developing additional services required to achieve the organisation’s long term strategic goals.

The programme of work will involve services for Virgin Atlantic’s reservation system and integration to Virgin Holidays’ business. It forms part of a significant investment in IT consultancy, design, development and support services for VAA’s service-oriented architecture (SOA) platform, with the objective of delivering service improvements that its customers will notice and appreciate.

VAA selected Smart421 as a partner due to its expertise and experience, recognising Smart421’s capability to drive this initiative and deliver successfully.

The programme is the initial phase of a multi-year engagement, and will deliver SOA governance and architecture, together with an associated set of key services across a number of business areas.

Beverley Sewell, Head of IT for Virgin Atlantic’s customer experience said, “Virgin Atlantic are pleased to be working with Smart421 to establish a SOA platform fit to deliver long term growth. Smart421 has shown a strong capability in this area and we’re looking forward to delivering some great services for the airline.”

Neil Miles, Managing Director at Smart421, said, “This programme will enable Virgin Atlantic to meet its strategic objectives, delivering significant costs savings and strengthen its position as a leading airline. The expertise, experience and agility offered by Smart421 meant that we were the right choice of partner for VAA.”