Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and ABB have signed a multi-million, multi-year deal to overhaul ABB's global network operations with an AI-driven network-as-a-service model. The agreement, announced July 13, 2026, extends a 20-year partnership and replaces fragmented network environments with a secure, standardized digital infrastructure.
What the deal covers
TCS will scale its role from managing infrastructure and applications to delivering end-to-end global network operations. At the core of the engagement is ABB's Future Network Model programme, an enterprise-wide initiative to build a centrally managed, service-driven architecture. TCS will design, integrate, and run the network ecosystem, orchestrating a multi-vendor environment for standardized operations worldwide.
The programme uses a centralized control framework that brings together service integration and management, a global network operations center, advanced security capabilities, and modernized LAN, WAN, and software-defined WAN systems. TCS will also deliver end-to-end monitoring and orchestration to maintain high-performance connectivity across ABB's network services.
What leaders are saying
Alec Joannou, Group CIO of ABB, said the model "represents an important milestone in reinforcing the digital foundation of ABB's global operations." He added, "As our business evolves, it is critical to have an ecosystem that is resilient, secure, and aligned with long-term transformation goals."
Anupam Singhal, President of Manufacturing at TCS, pointed to the role of AI. "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," he said.
Two decades of partnership
The TCS-ABB relationship has already delivered several major programmes, including consolidating multiple ERP systems into a unified SAP platform and accelerating cloud adoption. The new network deal builds on that foundation, shifting the focus to a more integrated operations model that can sense, adapt, and improve continuously.
Why this matters for operations professionals
The shift to AI-managed network operations signals a broader change in how large enterprises structure their infrastructure teams. Standardized, centrally controlled environments reduce the overhead of managing fragmented systems and free up operations staff to focus on higher-value work. For operations managers, understanding how AI can optimize network performance and automate routine tasks is becoming a practical skill, not a future concept. AI Learning Path for Operations Managers provides a direct way to build that expertise.
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