Chip Schneider , partner in IBM Global Business Services ( GBS ), worked alongside T-Mobile to bring about what he calls a “ cognitive process transformation ” with data analytics , artificial intelligence and cognitive cloud .

IBM was chosen by T-Mobile as their strategic partner to deliver the programs and projects to propel T-Mobile forward with back-office functions like financing in supply chain .

IBM has been a partner with Sprint for a number of years so when T-Mobile and Sprint merged last year , it was an opportunity for IBM to showcase their expertise .

Schneider is enthused when discussing the working relationship between IBM and T-Mobile , saying there is “ always an air of excitement ” and “ they ’ re so willing to listen ”.

“ T-Mobile asked us to make the work we do for them ‘ palatable and meaningful ’,” says Schneider . “ That means bringing industry leadership , functional leadership in finance , supply chain customer management , and the technical aspects of hybrid cloud , cognitive and machine learning , data intelligent workflows , and blockchain . We had to make sure it ’ s not just us talking to them , but us working together with them .”

Of course , the benefits of a close , collaborative relationship like this work for both parties , especially when digital transformation is accelerated by a pandemic .

“ That changed everything ,” adds Glenn Finch , Global Leader Big Data & Analytics at IBM .

“ 2020 was a matter of survival for most companies with a focus on business continuity and cost reduction . So you saw this radical growth in back office transformation , in front office transformation , and then this this unprecedented growth in data . We are a hybrid cloud and AI company . That ’ s exactly what the market wants right now .”

Finch explains how companies were faced with a critical cloud decision and turned to IBM as a trusted , reliable partner .

“ When clients were having to bet their careers , they bet on us ,” says Finch . “ When we go into a process and we drive a bunch of AI into it , we ’ re shrinking cycle time by 80 to 90 %, we ’ re cutting costs by 50 to 60 %, and NPS scores are going up by 10 to 20 points . Sometimes clients think that can ’ t be right as it sounds too good to be true .”

Schneider emphasises the importance T-Mobile placed on not only transforming the technology but also empowering individuals .

“ T-Mobile are hyper focused on ensuring that not only their customers feel the human connection , but also employees ,” says Schneider . “ And so our job is to take the data – internal and external – and present it back to them and say , ‘ Hey , here ’ s what I found ’. It ’ s really like building a colleague for them to help drive their strategic decisions on their supply chain .”

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