Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) (BSE: 532540, NSE: TCS), a global leader in IT services, consulting, and business solutions, has secured a landmark three-year contract with Follett Higher Education, North America’s premier college store operator. This significant deal aims to transform Follett’s IT infrastructure and cybersecurity, enhancing the support for its expansive network of over 1,000 college stores across the US and Canada. The collaboration will deploy TCS’s advanced platforms, such as TCS Cognix and Cloud Exponence, to create a state-of-the-art IT environment.

TCS and Follett: A transformative alliance

The new contract marks a substantial expansion of the decade-long partnership between Tata Consultancy Services and Follett Higher Education. Under this agreement, TCS will overhaul Follett’s IT infrastructure using its proprietary Machine First delivery approach and cutting-edge accelerators like TCS Cognix. TCS Cognix, an AI-driven human-machine collaboration suite, is designed to integrate AI, machine learning, and intelligent automation to streamline processes, enhance performance, and ensure robust security and compliance.

TCS will also leverage Cloud Exponence, its comprehensive platform for smart managed services in hybrid cloud environments. This platform will offer a unified view of Follett’s operations across various cloud systems, allowing for consistent IT service delivery, optimized usage, and cost management. By adopting these advanced technologies, the collaboration promises to deliver an efficient enterprise infrastructure management platform with predictive and prescriptive capabilities to handle performance issues.

Enhancing cybersecurity and operational efficiency

In response to the growing complexity of cybersecurity threats, TCS will bolster Follett’s digital defenses through its security-as-a-service platform. This initiative includes managing Follett’s Security Operations Center, and providing comprehensive security services including email, network, identity, and access management. TCS will also enhance Follett’s Governance, Risk, and Compliance processes, ensuring end-to-end visibility and proactive defense against emerging threats.

Prasad Keshava, Vice President of Enterprise Infrastructure at Follett Higher Education, highlighted the importance of the partnership, emphasizing that every interaction a student has with Follett contributes to their success. Keshava expressed enthusiasm for building a best-in-class technology backbone that will ensure seamless, scalable, and future-ready interactions.

Expert perspectives on the collaboration

Ashish Khurana, Vice President and Head of Retail Americas Business at TCS, expressed excitement about deepening the longstanding relationship with Follett. He emphasized that TCS is committed to enhancing students’ experiences, both in physical campus stores and online. Khurana noted that the partnership will leverage TCS’s industry expertise and technology to create frictionless interactions and support students effectively.

The collaboration underscores TCS’s position as a top partner for global retailers, offering comprehensive solutions in store operations, merchandising, supply chain management, and more. TCS’s portfolio includes advanced retail platforms like TCS OmniStore and TCS Optumera, which provide AI-powered solutions for unified commerce and strategic intelligence.

  Ashish Khurana, Cloud Exponence, cybersecurity, Follett Higher Education, IT infrastructure, Prasad Keshava, Tata Consultancy Services, TCS Cognix