Key Takeaways:
- ABF business units are already reporting performance improvements, especially for SaaS services
- Collaboration between the AT&T and ABF subject matter experts allowed them to deliver on the shared goal of a better, faster user experience with reduced operating costs
What’s the story? AT&T* has deployed a next generation, software defined network with integrated zero trust access for Associated British Foods (ABF). The new highly secure, agile network platform supports ABF’s cloud strategy and is already delivering performance improvements across its federated operating companies at 170 sites around the world.
Why is this important? ABF+ is a diversified international food, ingredients, and retail group with global operations in 53 countries. Its brand portfolio includes a host of household names. ABF selected AT&T to manage their network transformation and deliver against six key business objectives: better business agility, improved performance, increased visibility and control, simplification and flexibility, security, and lower operating costs.
ABF's structure allows for operational decisions to be made locally by the people with the best understanding of their customers and markets. By working closely with the stakeholders across each business and understanding their distinctive operating requirements, AT&T was able to design a single global consistent managed network - utilising SD-WAN technology at its core - that is flexible enough to support the varying business needs but has the built-in intelligence to simplify operations.
This has enabled ABF to achieve reduced complexity and costs with no compromise on security or agility. AT&T was able to deliver this network transformation for ABF on time and with no impact to ongoing production and operations.
John V. Slamecka, President-AT&T Business International
"With multiple business and customers in over 100 countries, ABF's network is a critical element for successful operations. The scale and scope of this digital transformation project required trust and collaboration across the board, and I am delighted the ABF team is already beginning to reap the benefits of what they've sown."
Andrew Lock, Group Chief Information Officer, ABF
“Our goal when we started this journey was to have agile, performant, reliable, secure, and cost-effective connectivity between the users and applications. Our business units are already reporting performance improvements, especially for SaaS services. Ordering, delivery and cut overs – moving from the old to the new – were straightforward with no impact to production.”
John Carron, Business Technology Services Director, ABF
"Our success here came from our 'one team' approach on this project. There were many variables, including replacing legacy equipment, but the collaboration between the AT&T and ABF subject matter experts allowed them to deliver on the shared goal of a better, faster user experience with reduced operating costs."
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