Woolworths Outsources Credit Systems to PIC Solutions

Cape Town, 27 June 2006 – Woolworths, one of Africa’s largest clothing retailers, has signed a multi-million Rand Credit Systems Outsource contract with PIC Solutions.

In this relationship, the ICT personnel from the Woolworths credit systems support team will join PIC Solutions, who will, over the next three years, provide on-going support and maintenance to Woolworths for their VisionPLUS, TRIAD and StrategyWare software systems.  In addition, PIC Solutions will be responsible for the optimisation of the current systems environment and all enhancements required in the future.  PIC Solutions will provide Woolworths with 24 x 7 support for this critical area of their business.

Gerhard Roux, CIO at Woolworths, comments, “It makes sound business sense for us to outsource our technical support and maintenance for our credit management systems. We already have a good business relationship with PIC Solutions and their experienced personnel have been working closely with us on a number of key projects.  PIC Solutions has proven technical expertise in VisionPLUS and TRIAD as well as alliances with key industry players. In addition to this, through PIC Solutions, Woolworths will have access to a broad range of skills such as an understanding and application of industry best practices.  PIC Solutions has a large team of ICT personnel: this means that the support available to our critical systems in Financial Services will be broader. "

Mike Crawley, Director of ICT Solutions at PIC Solutions, adds, “We have built and maintained an excellent partnership with Woolworths for a number of years and our ICT specialists have worked closely with the Woolworths team across a broad spectrum of initiatives in the financial services arena. This contract is a natural extension of our relationship and it enables us to provide dedicated expertise in the most cost-effective and flexible manner. The agreement will offer Woolworths protection against the loss of key personnel and ensure that they remain at the forefront of the retailing and credit risk management industry.”