Mergers and Acquisitions at SMBtech

TCS And ABB Expand 20-Year Partnership With Multi-Million Deal To Overhaul Global Network Operations

Surprisingly Useful AI Article Enhancements

Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and ABB have signed a multi-million, multi-year deal to transform ABB’s global network operations, replacing fragmented network environments with an AI-driven, centrally managed digital infrastructure.

The engagement expands a partnership that stretches back two decades, with TCS stepping up from managing infrastructure and applications to delivering end-to-end global network operations through an integrated network-as-a-service model.

Replacing Fragmented Systems

At the centre of the deal is ABB’s Future Network Model programme, an enterprise-wide initiative to standardise and centralise the electrification and automation company’s global network infrastructure.

TCS will act as the strategic programme partner, taking responsibility for designing, integrating and running ABB’s global network ecosystem. The company will also orchestrate ABB’s multi-vendor environment to deliver standardised operations worldwide.

The programme brings together service integration and management (SIAM), a global network operations centre, advanced security capabilities and modernised LAN, WAN and SD-WAN systems under a centralised control framework.

TCS will provide end-to-end monitoring and orchestration to deliver connectivity across ABB’s network services, which span approximately 110,000 employees worldwide.

Building On Two Decades Of Work

The partnership between TCS and ABB has previously delivered several large-scale technology programmes, including consolidating multiple ERP systems into a unified SAP platform and accelerating cloud transformation and adoption.

The new deal represents a shift toward AI-embedded network operations, with TCS describing the goal as building infrastructure that can sense, adapt and improve continuously rather than relying on static, manually managed systems.

Alec Joannou, Group CIO at ABB, described the programme as reinforcing the digital foundation of the company’s global operations.

“As our business evolves, it is critical to have an ecosystem that is resilient, secure, and aligned with long-term transformation goals,” Joannou explained. “Our association with TCS reflects a shared focus on delivery excellence, continuous enhancement, and building capabilities that can support our strategic priorities.”

AI-Driven Infrastructure

TCS is positioning the engagement as an example of its “infrastructure to intelligence” approach, embedding AI into the network operations model alongside secure digital infrastructure.

Anupam Singhal, President of Manufacturing at TCS, outlined the scope of the ambition.

“The Future Network Model marks the next chapter in this partnership,” Singhal remarked. “With AI embedded into the network operations model, supported by secure digital infrastructure and our deep domain expertise, we are bringing our ‘infrastructure to intelligence’ approach to build a resilient, intelligent network backbone.”

“Through this engagement, we will enable network systems that can sense, adapt, and improve continuously, while strengthening reliability, security, user experience, and scale as ABB continues to advance as a future-ready enterprise,” he added.

Scope Of The Transformation

The deal is designed to address several operational priorities for ABB. These include improving user experience and operational efficiency across the global network, strengthening security and compliance through centralised infrastructure protection and replacing fragmented multi-vendor network setups with a single cohesive system.

The security dimension is particularly relevant as industrial companies face growing risks from the convergence of operational technology (OT) and information technology (IT) environments, an area where centralised visibility and control are increasingly important.

The financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed beyond the description of a multi-million, multi-year engagement.

ABB is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange and Nasdaq Stockholm and operates across electrification and automation with around 110,000 employees globally. More information is available at www.abb.com.

Last Updated on July 14, 2026 by Nick Ross

Surprisingly Useful AI Article Enhancements

Sign-up to the SMBtech Daily Newsletter

We will not spam you. You can easily unsubscribe any time. Read our privacy policy.