Centrica chooses Fujitsu to help create its next-generation workplace

Energy giant Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, has signed a new deal with Fujitsu, which will see the IT services supplier transform its desktop estate, by managing the migration of 26,500 users from Windows XP to Windows 7. The move will see Centrica’s call centre and operational staff, across 26 locations across the UK, enjoy significant benefits to their working life.

Performance and overall user experience will be enhanced and it will enable deployment of new applications in the call centres. This will not only benefit the user, but it will also enhance Centrica’s relationships with its customers. Finally, the move to Windows 7 will provide a level of platform familiarity and will reduce the need for staff training, as staff are more likely to be have used it before – at home or at previous organisations.
With Fujitsu already providing desktop managed services for Centrica’s 37,000 staff as part of a five year deal agreed in December 2010, this new agreement signals a deeper, more strategic partnership for the two organisations. Worth a total of £4 million, the desktop transformation project kicked off in Spring 2013 - and is set to run to the end of the year.

Furthermore, the move brings Centrica a step closer to Windows 8, with Fujitsu working closely with the energy supplier to identify the users within the organisation who would benefit from the operating platform.

“We are very excited about this new stage in our relationship with Centrica,” said Richard Bull, Executive Director, End User Services at Fujitsu UK & Ireland. “This project is a prime example of IT truly engaging with the business, rather than reacting with a solution. Fujitsu is very happy to be part of the journey and looks forward to continued, mutual success.”