W.S. Badcock Corporation Teams With Ibm As The Company Embarks On A Technology Modernization Plan

Furniture World Magazine

W.S. Badcock Corporation, one of the country’s largest furniture retailers, announced an agreement with IBM as Badcock moves forward with a long-term technology modernization program, part of a company-wide business transformation effort. Badcock and IBM are now completing the initial phase of a strategic plan that includes consolidation of mission-critical computers and implementation of a storage area network (SAN). In this first phase, Badcock is significantly increasing capacity and throughput of its data center while reducing the number of computers needed to support its operations. “The new technology infrastructure, coupled with e-business integration solutions provided by IBM, will allow us to better serve our dealers and customers throughout the southeast United States as the company continues on its successful growth path,” said Leo A. Hurtado, Badcock vice president of information technology and CIO. This is part of an overall growth strategy that began in 2000 when Badcock began converting new and existing stores to its new Badcock &more strategy, a concept that includes a product line of more than 3,000 items, a brighter, more spacious store display and a new logo. It was introduced to better serve its existing customers while also appealing to a broader, younger customer base. “Badcock is using information technology to transform its core business, said Michael Gilbert, IBM territory manager. “This is an exciting project that is taking advantage of IBM’s long history of retail innovation.” Champion Solutions Group, an IBM Premier Solution Partner, designed and deployed the server consolidation and storage networking strategy. "This first phase of our work with Badcock will build a strong foundation for more technology enhancements to come," said Champion Solutions Group president Chris Pyle. The new technology includes a new storage area network combined with the power of IBM's blade servers and Intel-based servers. W.S. Badcock will deploy IBM's eServer BladeCenter and high-end xSeries systems to consolidate its current infrastructure. The IBM eServer BladeCenter, x440, x360 and x345 systems, connected to an IBM FastT700, will help maximize resource productivity. About W.S. Badcock Corporation: Badcock Home Furniture &more has more than 320 locations throughout the southeast and approximately 240 of those stores are dealer owned and operated. Badcock is headquartered in Mulberry, Florida, where the company was established in 1904. For inquiries about the company or for dealer opportunities, please go to www.badcock.com or call 1-800-BADCOCK. About Champion Solutions: Group Champion Solutions Group, The Technology Infrastructure Company, is an IBM Premier Solution Provider specializing in the design and implementation of comprehensive infrastructure solutions that help increase productivity, control costs, and improve overall system, storage, and network performance and reliability. For more information about Champion, call 800-771-7000 or visit http://www.championsg.com. About IBM: With 80 years of leadership in helping businesses innovate, IBM is the world's largest information technology company. The company offers a host of cross-industry and industry specific solutions designed to meet the needs of companies of all sizes. For more information on IBM, please visit: http://www.ibm.com/mediumbusiness.