C&W Helps Woolies Cut CostsC&W Helps Woolies Cut Costs

LONDON -- Cable & Wireless, the international telecommunications group, today announced that it is providing high street retail giant Woolworths with Carrier Pre-Select (CPS) technology to slash the company’s telecommunications costs. As an extension of its existing contract, Cable & Wireless has been chosen as Woolworths’ single supplier for PSTN and ISDN minutes and will also manage the retailer’s ATM, frame relay, and ISDN data networks, connecting 825 stores and three corporate sites.

Cable & Wireless CPS technology is used to handle all Woolworths’ voice and ISDN traffic, routing it over the Cable & Wireless network. This has provided Woolworths with the ability to choose service suppliers based on the value-for-money of their offerings, rather than being locked into buying services from a default circuit supplier. On an annual spend of £1.4million, the retailer believes it could make savings of £250,000.

Cable & Wireless now has an extended contract with Woolworths to manage the retailer’s telecommunications network, regardless of supplier, following its demerger from the Kingfisher group in 2001. The demerger prompted Woolworths to evaluate its proposition, its target customers and the best and most cost-effective way to service them.

By extending its contract with Cable & Wireless, Woolworths has passed the management of its telecommunications infrastructure to an expert team, during a period when it has been imperative for the company to focus all of its attention and resources on its business. Should there be a fault with another supplier, the Cable & Wireless team would manage the resolution of the issue, with its highest concern being the outcome and value for Woolworths.

Pete Wilkinson, head of IT infrastructure and services at Woolworths, explained, “Working with Cable & Wireless has provided us with an improved service and has helped to drive down costs. Both of these are vitally important criteria for Woolworths.”

Robin Morgan, managing director, Retail and Industry, Cable & Wireless, said, “Our commitment to the retail sector is offering tangible benefits for our clients. Woolworths found the value-for-money represented by Carrier Pre-Select from Cable & Wireless to be most attractive and snapped it up. As part of our service, and in addition to the obvious savings, Woolworths receives a thorough audit of its telephone usage and regular updates on our progress."

Cable & Wireless plc