Hitachi Digital Services, the digital consultancy and technology services subsidiary of Hitachi, Ltd., announced a strategic partnership with DS Smith to modernize its integration platform and accelerate digital transformation. Through this collaboration Hitachi Digital Services will design and build DS Smith’s AI and system integrations, driving innovation in complex manufacturing and packaging environments by deploying state-of-the-art technologies to enhance operational efficiency and flexibility.
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 This transformation will enable DS Smith to move away from outdated middleware, optimize system interoperability, and significantly improve business responsiveness.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.
