Starbucks Entering the Outsourcing Scene

Filed in archive Outsourcing News on October 31, 2006

If you think that only manufacturing and IT firms are taking advantage of the outsourcing scene, think again. Even gigantic coffee chains are taking part in the outsourcing fad.

Starbucks recently signed an outsourcing deal with Unisys, an IT services firm. The outsourcing deal was part of the firm's plan to implement their "expansion goals" of opening an estimate of 3,600-20,000 outlets worldwide. Unisys would be responsible for the IT infrastructure services international Starbucks outlets, support centers and manufacturing facilities.

Aside from that, the outsourcing contract also states that Unisys would provide "enhanced support" in different Starbucks services such as:
-helpdesk
-data center services
-network and server monitoring and support
-equipment procurement and maintenance
-asset tracking
-global program management

If this would be a wise decision for Starbucks,my judgement is reserved until the results of their outsourcing deal would be evaluated.

Image from: Starbucks website