Carlsberg has improved its operations in Western Europe to boost agility, increase efficiencies and reduce costs through the help of digital infrastructure provider Tata Communications.
Tata Communications has deployed a software-defined hybrid network to support the digital transformation of Carlsberg in 130 sites across Western Europe. Harnessing the power of the internet and cloud computing, the new infrastructure is a key part of Carlsberg’s "Next 2.0" programme.
The network supports Carlsberg’s global "SAIL’22" growth strategy - with an aim to “strengthen the core”, “position for growth” and “create a winning culture”. To achieve these goals, the brewer is digitising its supply chain and exploring new AI-enabled direct-to-consumer services such as its ‘connected bar’ concept. The new network, which has replaced a legacy MPLS network, will act as a resilient, flexible foundation for these innovative initiatives.
“We are using the internet to change the foundations of Carlsberg. This doesn’t mean putting a digital veneer on our old infrastructure – it means reimagining our entire IT estate with this next-generation network as the foundation," said Sarah Haywood, CTO of Carlsberg.
The growing use of cloud-based applications has led to 70% of Carlsberg’s network traffic being on the internet, the new network has given the company 10 times more bandwidth, reduced costs by 25%, and halved the occurrence of network incidents, according to a press release from the infrastructure provider.
“While there’s a lot of hype around software-defined networking in a wide area network (SDWAN), it’s important to note you can’t build it on top of a network that’s not fit for purpose but a rock-solid foundation for SDWAN, combining the scalability and cost-effectiveness of the public internet with the resilience and reliability of a private network. Without these foundations, SDWAN can’t do what it’s meant to do," said Mark Weait, head of Europe of Tata Communications.
