Hitachi Digital Services Partners with DS Smith to transform its Integration Platform to Drive Digital Innovation
Hitachi Digital Services has announced a strategic partnership with DS Smith to modernize its integration platform and accelerate digital transformation. The collaboration focuses on transitioning DS Smith from Microsoft BizTalk to a cloud-based, AI-powered integration ecosystem built on the Boomi platform. This transformation addresses DS Smith's need to upgrade its legacy system before its end-of-life support in 2027.
The project involves modernizing approximately 5,000 existing integrations across DS Smith's operations, including 300 packaging centers and multiple mills. Key benefits include accelerated integration deployment, enhanced system resilience, AI-driven efficiency improvements, and seamless customer/vendor connectivity through API-first architecture.
Hitachi Digital Services ha annunciato una partnership strategica con DS Smith per modernizzare la sua piattaforma di integrazione e accelerare la trasformazione digitale. La collaborazione si concentra sulla migrazione di DS Smith da Microsoft BizTalk a un ecosistema di integrazione basato sul cloud e potenziato dall'intelligenza artificiale, costruito sulla piattaforma Boomi. Questa trasformazione risponde all'esigenza di DS Smith di aggiornare il sistema legacy prima della fine del supporto prevista per il 2027.
Il progetto prevede la modernizzazione di circa 5.000 integrazioni esistenti nelle operazioni di DS Smith, che includono 300 centri di packaging e diversi stabilimenti. I vantaggi principali comprendono una distribuzione più rapida delle integrazioni, una maggiore resilienza del sistema, miglioramenti di efficienza guidati dall'IA e una connettività fluida con clienti e fornitori grazie a un'architettura API-first.
Hitachi Digital Services ha anunciado una alianza estratégica con DS Smith para modernizar su plataforma de integración y acelerar la transformación digital. La colaboración se centra en la transición de DS Smith desde Microsoft BizTalk a un ecosistema de integración basado en la nube y potenciado por inteligencia artificial, construido sobre la plataforma Boomi. Esta transformación responde a la necesidad de DS Smith de actualizar su sistema heredado antes del fin de soporte en 2027.
El proyecto implica modernizar aproximadamente 5.000 integraciones existentes en las operaciones de DS Smith, que incluyen 300 centros de embalaje y varias fábricas. Los beneficios clave incluyen una implementación de integraciones más rápida, mayor resiliencia del sistema, mejoras de eficiencia impulsadas por IA y conectividad fluida con clientes y proveedores mediante una arquitectura API-first.
Hitachi Digital Services는 DS Smith와 전략적 파트너십을 발표하며 통합 플랫폼을 현대화하고 디지털 전환을 가속화합니다. 이번 협업은 DS Smith가 Microsoft BizTalk에서 클라우드 기반 AI 통합 생태계인 Boomi 플랫폼으로 전환하는 데 중점을 둡니다. 이 변화는 2027년 지원 종료 전 DS Smith의 레거시 시스템 업그레이드 필요성을 해결합니다.
프로젝트는 DS Smith의 300개 포장 센터와 여러 제분소를 포함한 약 5,000개의 기존 통합을 현대화하는 작업을 포함합니다. 주요 이점으로는 통합 배포 가속화, 시스템 복원력 향상, AI 기반 효율성 개선, API 우선 아키텍처를 통한 고객 및 공급업체와의 원활한 연결이 있습니다.
Hitachi Digital Services a annoncé un partenariat stratégique avec DS Smith pour moderniser sa plateforme d'intégration et accélérer la transformation digitale. Cette collaboration vise à faire migrer DS Smith de Microsoft BizTalk vers un écosystème d'intégration cloud et alimenté par l'IA, basé sur la plateforme Boomi. Cette transformation répond au besoin de DS Smith de mettre à jour son système hérité avant la fin du support prévue en 2027.
Le projet consiste à moderniser environ 5 000 intégrations existantes dans les opérations de DS Smith, incluant 300 centres d'emballage et plusieurs usines. Les principaux avantages comprennent un déploiement accéléré des intégrations, une résilience système améliorée, des gains d'efficacité pilotés par l'IA et une connectivité fluide avec clients et fournisseurs grâce à une architecture API-first.
Hitachi Digital Services hat eine strategische Partnerschaft mit DS Smith angekündigt, um die Integrationsplattform zu modernisieren und die digitale Transformation zu beschleunigen. Die Zusammenarbeit konzentriert sich darauf, DS Smith von Microsoft BizTalk auf ein cloudbasiertes, KI-gestütztes Integrationsökosystem auf der Boomi-Plattform umzustellen. Diese Transformation adressiert den Bedarf von DS Smith, das Altsystem vor dem Support-Ende im Jahr 2027 zu aktualisieren.
Das Projekt umfasst die Modernisierung von etwa 5.000 bestehenden Integrationen in den DS Smith-Betrieben, darunter 300 Verpackungszentren und mehrere Werke. Zu den Hauptvorteilen zählen eine beschleunigte Integrationseinführung, verbesserte Systemresilienz, KI-getriebene Effizienzsteigerungen und nahtlose Kunden-/Lieferantenanbindung durch eine API-first-Architektur.
- Migration to cloud-based integration will reduce integration timelines from months to days/weeks
- Implementation of AI-driven automation will enhance operational efficiency
- New API-first architecture will improve customer and vendor onboarding speed
- Enhanced system resilience and reliability will reduce operational downtime
- Complex migration challenge with 5,000 existing integrations requiring transition
- Current system approaching end-of-life support in 2027, creating time pressure
- Potential temporary disruptions during the transition period
Insights
Hitachi Digital Services partnership with DS Smith modernizes integration platform, enabling faster operations and significant efficiency gains through AI-powered technology.
This partnership between Hitachi Digital Services and DS Smith represents a strategic technological transition rather than a mere platform migration. DS Smith faces the critical challenge of replacing its Microsoft BizTalk integration platform before end-of-life support in 2027, but is wisely using this necessity as an opportunity for comprehensive digital transformation.
The scope is impressive - with approximately 5,000 existing integrations across 300+ facilities, this migration represents significant complexity. The selection of Boomi as the iPaaS foundation provides DS Smith with a modern, cloud-native architecture that enables API-first connectivity, which will dramatically improve integration with customers and vendors.
The most substantial business impact will come from the acceleration of integration timelines. The current legacy architecture likely requires months of development for new integrations, while the modernized platform promises delivery in days or weeks. This translates directly to business agility - the ability to onboard new customers faster, adapt to market changes quicker, and implement process improvements more efficiently.
The AI components will likely focus on automating integration mapping, error handling, and anomaly detection. These capabilities reduce the maintenance burden on IT teams while improving system reliability. For a packaging company operating in thin-margin environments, the operational efficiency gains from reduced downtime and faster integrations directly impact the bottom line.
While not explicitly mentioned, this transformation will also position DS Smith to better leverage IoT capabilities across its manufacturing facilities, enabling more sophisticated data collection and analytics that could drive further operational improvements beyond the integration platform itself.
DS Smith, a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions, has embarked on a large-scale digital transformation to improve its business agility. The company's legacy integration platform, Microsoft BizTalk, is approaching end-of-life support in 2027, creating a need for modernization. Rather than a simple replacement, DS Smith sought an innovative, future-proof solution leveraging Integration Platform as a Service (iPaaS) capability.
By partnering with Hitachi Digital Services, DS Smith is transitioning to a cloud-based, AI-powered integration ecosystem built on the Boomi platform. This transformation will enable DS Smith to move away from outdated middleware, optimize system interoperability, and significantly improve business responsiveness.
Key Benefits of the Partnership:
- Accelerated Integration Deployment: DS Smith's new platform will reduce integration timelines dramatically—from months to weeks or even days—allowing faster responses to market demands and evolving customer needs.
- Enhanced Resilience and Reliability: The cloud-based integration system will ensure more robust, scalable, and secure data flows, reducing downtime and minimizing disruptions in day-to-day operations.
- AI-Driven Efficiency: By leveraging AI to automate integration processes, DS Smith will achieve greater operational efficiency, reducing maintenance overhead and enabling teams to focus on strategic business initiatives.
- Seamless Customer and Vendor Connectivity: The new API-first architecture will enhance DS Smith's ability to integrate with external partners, significantly reducing onboarding time for new customers and vendors.
With c.5,000 existing integrations across its diverse business landscape—including 300 packaging centers and more than a dozen mills—DS Smith faced a complex challenge in transitioning to a modernized platform. Hitachi Digital Services will oversee the design, implementation, and migration process, ensuring a seamless transition while maintaining business continuity.
"This partnership with Hitachi Digital Services represents a major step forward in DS Smith's digital transformation journey," said Leon Gelderblom, DS Smith's Director of IT Applications and Platforms. "By modernizing our integration infrastructure, we are not only improving efficiency but also future proofing our operations to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving marketplace."
Roger Lvin, CEO at Hitachi Digital Services, added, "At Hitachi Digital Services, we are committed to bringing industry-leading expertise to our clients, helping them navigate complex digital transformations with innovative solutions. Our work with DS Smith exemplifies this approach, delivering a cutting-edge integration platform that leverages cloud capabilities, AI-driven automation, and modern API connectivity. This initiative not only enhances DS Smith's operational agility but also reinforces our broader mission to drive digital excellence across industries."
Hitachi Digital Services excels in delivering large-scale digital transformation solutions for enterprise clients operating in complex environments. With deep expertise in managing legacy system transitions, leveraging AI, cloud computing, and automation, Hitachi Digital Services minimizes downtime and ensures smooth, secure migrations to modern, scalable architectures. It delivers tailored solutions that empower enterprises to stay ahead in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.
About Hitachi Digital Services
Hitachi Digital Services, a wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., is a global systems integrator powering mission-critical platforms with people and technology. We help enterprises build, integrate, and run physical and digital systems with tailored solutions in cloud, data, IoT, and ERP modernization, underpinned by advanced AI.
Combining Information Technology and Operational Technology (ITxOT), we drive efficiency, innovation and growth across industries. With over 110 years of Hitachi Group's engineering and technology leadership, Hitachi Digital Services is powering smarter systems for a safer, more sustainable future for everyone.
To learn more, visit https://hitachids.com/.
Also to learn more about our AI and GenAI Services, visit https://hitachids.com/service/ai-genai-services/.
About Hitachi, Ltd.
Hitachi drives Social Innovation Business, creating a sustainable society through the use of data and technology. We solve customers' and society's challenges with Lumada solutions leveraging IT, OT and products. Hitachi operates under the business structure of "Digital Systems & Services" — supporting our customers' digital transformation, "Green Energy & Mobility" — contributing to a decarbonized society through energy and railway systems, and "Connective Industries" — connecting products through digital technology to provide solutions in various industries. Driven by Digital, Green, and Innovation, we aim for growth through co-creation with our customers. The company's consolidated revenues for fiscal year 2022 (ended March 31, 2023) totaled
About DS Smith
DS Smith, an International Paper company, is a leading global provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging, which is supported by recycling and papermaking operations. The company plays a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods, food and beverage, and industrials. It has a target-led Now & Next sustainability strategy, Redefining Packaging for a Changing World and is committed to leading an industry-wide transition to a circular economy while delivering sustainable circular solutions for customers. As a part of this mandate, there is a focus on replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains, providing recycling solutions, innovation and significant investment into Research & Development including alternative materials and fibres. The company has a progressive approach to the service and optimization of sustainable supply chains, a well-known and bespoke 'Box-to-Box' in fourteen days operational model and a unique Circular Design Metrics approach. It is a proactive member of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, and the original DS Smith box-making business was started by the
About International Paper
International Paper (NYSE: IP; LSE: IPC) is the global leader in sustainable packaging solutions. With company headquarters in
Contacts:
Hitachi Digital Services, Menaka Thillaiampalam, Chief Marketing Officer, Menaka.Thillaiampalam@hitachids.com
HAVAS Red, Melanie Klausner, Executive Vice President, Melanie.Klausner@havasred.com
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SOURCE Hitachi Digital Services
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