TNT brings in HP to modernise its IT systems

International carrier TNT has handed Hewlett Packard a six-year contract to modernize its IT infrastructure. HP Enterprise Services Ltd will work to consolidate the Netherlands-based carrier’s IT systems and move some functions into an online-based situation in the cloud.

HP said it will simplify the IT business model and standardise the technical landscape for TNT, providing more flexible service levels to help the company to keep pace with changing market conditions.

The IT modernisation comes as part of TNT’s global transformation strategy, called Outlook, which is seeking to turn around financial performances at the world’s fourth largest integrator.

HP said it will consolidate TNT’s computer systems into a smaller number of sites, switching older IT infrastructure into “virtual” cloud-based servers. It will mean TNT’s data centre networks operate from HP’s servers and storage capacity, under an “Infrastructure-as-a-Service” model that allows TNT to pay for capacity only when needed.

The IT giant said that as a result, TNT will be able to improve its efficiency and control costs.

Jacqui Ferguson, general manager UK&I and MEMA, at HP Enterprise Services, said: “Transforming the provision of data centre services across the world will provide TNT with a solid foundation to support its growth strategy. As a global partner with presence in all TNT’s operating countries, and a comprehensive technology and IT investment solutions portfolio, HP will provide services that can be scaled with the business.”

TNT delivers about 1m items a day around the world, generating about EUR 6.7bn in revenue each year.

The carrier has been struggling to achieve a performance to match the expectations of investors since demerging from the Dutch postal operator now called PostNL back in 2011. Last month it said it was still in the process of winning back customers lost in the past few years, as it reported a EUR 53m loss in the fourth quarter of 2014.