Starbucks brews up IT services deal

Coffee chain Starbucks has signed a deal with IT services company Unisys to support its global expansion plans.

Unisys is contracted to simplify the deployment and management of standard IT infrastructure services used in Starbucks retail stores, support centres and manufacturing facilities. This will deliver enhanced support to Starbucks as it expands its presence from more than 3,600 to 20,000 stores in global markets.

Unisys will support helpdesk, data­centre services and infrastructure, equipment procurement, configuration and maintenance, business continuity and global programme management.

"Our Global IT Infrastructure Programme delivers standard services to our international markets in support of our growth targets," said Brian Crynes, Starbucks' CIO.

"We chose Unisys based on our confidence in their global service delivery model that supports our growth requirements."

Unisys will also provide IT security services for Starbucks' North American operations.