American drug store chain Walgreens has selected technology solutions provider IBM to increase power efficiency across its retail locations.
Walgreens will deploy IBM retail analytics in 8,100 stores in the US to improve field service support.
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Based on service request history, the IBM Cloud will be used to evaluate the level of support needed at each store. This information is expected to result in improved coordination when dispatching field technicians.
Data-driven insights will also enable the retailer to identify the most frequent service calls at a given location and combine those requests into one service call to reduce repeated instances of system downtime.
Through the partnership, Walgreens intends to free up its IT professionals to focus on high-value initiatives and programmes. The company will leverage IBM's capabilities to integrate hardware and software from different vendors to ensure efficient operation of technology across the store.
IBM global technology services senior vice-president Martin Jetter said: "Extending our multi-vendor services capabilities to support Walgreens stores sets an exciting new benchmark in an evolving retail industry, but it does not stop there.
"As a cloud services integrator, IBM is always driven by the desire to think differently about the way we manage our clients' services and underlying infrastructure in any business, and we are well suited to help them achieve the results they are looking for."
