David Jones brings multistate reseller onsite in new deal

Oakton has signed a three-year managed services deal with retailer David Jones.

The two companies have been working together since 2006 with a deal for remote database support, but the new agreement adds application and maintenance services.

It will require Oakton to have an onsite presence while managing its offsite capabilities.

"Our onsite technical leadership and advice blended with our offsite-offshore services will complement this approach," said Oakton chief executive Neil Wilson.

"We have developed a deep knowledge and understanding of the David Jones environments, the business cycles and costs imperatives and have the flexibility to scale up or down to meet the retailer's changing requirements."

David Jones executive Antony Karp highlighted the role Oakton plays in the company's "omni-channel" strategy.

[Related: Bricks and mortar retailer give in to online]

"Optimum IT systems availability and performance is essential for David Jones as we work towards our transformation into a world class omni-channel retailer. We believe that Oakton in conjunction with David Jones will be able to deliver this."

Bricks and mortar retailers are adopting omini-channel strategies in an effort to compete against online-only retailers.

This evolution saw Harvey Norman, long seen as a vocal opponent to online competitors, prioritise internet sales, leading a win at the recent ORIA awards as Best Multichannel Retailer.