Metcash and Microsoft have announced a strategic supply chain transformation initiative.
The partnership will see Metcash adopt the newly announced Microsoft Supply Chain Platform as part of its multi-year digital transformation.
Powered by Microsoft Dynamics 365, the Microsoft Supply Chain Platform is said to harmonise data across an organisation’s supply chain data estate without the need for net-new enterprise resource planning (ERP), supply chain management or point solution investments.
According to Microsoft, the Microsoft Supply Chain Platform’s Supply Chain Center enables companies to “proactively” predict and mitigate supply chain risks, while optimising order fulfillment by:
- Ingesting data from Dynamics 365 and other ERP providers, including Oracle and SAP
- Delivering native experiences from leading transportation, logistics and planning partners like C.H. Robinson, FedEx, FourKites and Overhaul
- Providing built-in intelligence to identify and mitigate disruptions to supply and demand
- Quickly coordinating with external suppliers using Microsoft Teams’ collaboration capabilities to communicate the upstream and downstream impacts of disruptions
Metcash Chief Information Officer David Reeve says the company will focus on leveraging the Microsoft Supply Chain Platform to enhance order fulfilment and distribution capabilities across its supply chain expected to be completed in the next 12 months.
“Metcash is an integrated cog in the supply chain of thousands of independent businesses across Australia and New Zealand,” he says.
“By using our data more effectively, we see this as a real opportunity for us to drive better interactions with our suppliers and our customers to create a much more efficient supply chain.”
Microsoft Vice President of Supply Chain Business Applications Ray Smith adds: “Recent global events have highlighted the importance of supply chain resilience. This requires companies to have a modern data strategy that enables greater visibility, agility and connectivity across their supply chain solutions and processes.
“Through our new Microsoft Supply Chain Platform, we are proud to be empowering customers such as Metcash to transform their supply chain for more resilient, efficient and sustainable operations.”
Metcash’s adoption of the Microsoft Supply Chain Platform is part of the company’s multi-year, whole-of-business Project Horizon digital transformation program. The program commenced in July 2021 in partnership with Microsoft and KPMG.
“Project Horizon is about making us a frictionless, easy-to-do-business-with enterprise for our suppliers, our customers, and ultimately, our shoppers,” says Mr Reeve.