IBM Receives IT Services Contract from StarBev

Central European brewery, StarBev awarded a multi-million information technology (IT) services contract to IBM (News - Alert) to support brewing and distribution efforts in central Europe.

StarBev operates in Bosnia, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Montenegro, Romania, Serbia, and Slovakia, brews and distributes local brands, such as Kamenitza, Ozujsko, Staropramen, Borsodi, Niksicko, Bergenbier and Jelen. It also distributes Stella Artois, Beck’s, Löwenbräu, as well as Spaten, Hoegaarden and Leffe in the above countries, under license from AB InBev. In addition, the company’s products, most importantly Staropramen, are available in more than 30 countries worldwide. 

IBM asserted that it integrates intellectual capital and experience from both IT and business consulting services. IT strategy and architecture services from IBM combines its broad expertise, experience, best practices, tools, methodologies, assets and proven delivery methods with a pragmatic approach to planning and design. IBM’s versatile reference architecture provides blueprints to build optimized and agile IT environments. 

According to the contract, IBM will be responsible for all of StarBev's IT infrastructure services supporting the group's data center, help desk, end user support services, and overall service management requirements for more than 4,000 employees in the region. IBM centralizes IT operations for StarBev within Central Europe by leveraging best in class IT delivery capabilities from one of IBM's Global Delivery Centers in Brno, Czech Republic. 

"IBM offered the best combination of cost savings, service commitments and overall flexibility for StarBev. IBM was able to quickly demonstrate their commitment to our team and key locations in the region. We are excited to grow our business with IBM as one of our strategic partners," said Marcus Johansson, chief information officer of StarBev, in a press release. 

The new service delivery model for StarBev provides server systems operations, security services and end-user services, including maintenance and monitoring of StarBev dedicated hardware and software systems. The support services from IBM utilize "collaborative problem solving" and "defect prevention processes" based on service management standards used by IBM globally, aimed at eliminating downtime and bottlenecks.

Officials with IBM explained that the company is committed to creating and supporting an environment that is scalable, flexible and secure, while ultimately driving enhanced value for StarBev and its customers throughout Central and Eastern Europe.