WALKER, MI -- Meijer is undergoing a major IT restructuring as the Midwest retailer looks to streamline its technology.

As part of the changes, the retailer is laying off employees, the company confirmed to MLive.

Meijer declined to provide numbers, and it's unclear what percentage of the company's Information Technologies department is affected. A majority of those affected are expected to be offered positions with IBM.

Employees who migrate to IBM will receive comparable pay and benefits, and won't have to relocate, according to Meijer

Those who lose their jobs will receive a comprehensive severance package that includes pay, benefits and outplacement assistance, the company added.

The tech giant has signed a deal with the Midwest retailer to handle its cloud-based computing, Terry Ledbetter, Meijer's chief information officer, said in a statement.

"We are making changes to our ITS structure that will enable us to provide even more solutions in both the digital and physical space for Meijer customers. One of these changes is a new relationship with IBM which leverages their strengths in cloud-based computing, and involves transitioning a number of our ITS professionals to IBM," he said.

The cuts at Meijer are the latest in a string of tech layoffs. Over the summer, home-improvement retailer Lowe's pink-slipped about 125 corporate tech workers in a move to improve its bottom line.

While Meijer acknowledges the company is trying streamline functions in an increasingly competitive grocery industry, the retailer maintains the goal of the changes is to improve its technology.

"We are making changes to our ITS structure that will enable us to provide even more solutions in both the digital and physical space for Meijer customers. One of these changes is a new relationship with IBM which leverages their strengths in cloud-based computing, and involves transitioning a number of our ITS professionals to IBM," Meijer's CIO said in a statement. "The changes include realignment of some teams and the elimination of some current roles. We are working closely with those affected by this change to help them through this process."

Larger companies are transitioning from legacy hardware systems to cloud-based computing at a faster rate, said Brad Andrus, with Trivalent Group, a Grand Rapids-based IT firm that serves small and medium-size businesses.

Cloud-based technology is considered more secure because the remote systems' security is updated automatically, he said.

"You don't have to maintain data centers or continue to upgrade hardware," Andrus said.