Empower Your Supply Chain with Next-Generation Technology Solutions

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Let our experts help you harness technology to optimise your supply chain and operations.

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Mat
Mathew Tolley

Mathew has over 15 years of experience in the public and private sector, advising senior executives on technical solutions in operations and supply chain, from design and development through to system implementation. This experience has been gained in sectors including hospitality, distribution, retail, telecommunications, fast-moving consumer goods, pharmaceutical products, food processing, after-market parts, and the Australian Defence Force (ADF).

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Tim Fagan

Tim has over 10 years experience in collaboratively working clients to find the right technology solution to meet their unique needs. With a background in tactical solution development, best of breed system implementation, system requirements definition, multi-language programming, (plus an undergraduate and postgraduate in Mechatronics) Tim has the expertise to support clients navigate their supply chain technology journey.

What are the typical questions we help our clients answer?

Conversation

Advisory

What are the next steps for technology in our business?

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Tech Strategy & Roadmap Development
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Technology Diagnostics and Assessments
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Solution Design
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Solution Selection &
Go To Market Support
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Delivery

How can we set our business up for success with new technology changes?

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System Integration, Data Analysis & cleansing
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Project Governance & Management
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Business Process design, Op. Model Alignment
& Change management
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Support Model Design & Execution
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Development & Configuration

What are the solutions we need? What should they deliver?

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Solution Optimisation & Refinement
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Functional Requirements & Technical Design
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Solution Testing & Tuning
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Tactical solution Development
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Data & Analytics

How is effective is our supply chain operation? How well do we leverage our data?

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Performance Management
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Supply Chain Modelling
& Analytics
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Architecture & Data Quality Assessments
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Data Governance Frameworks

Solutions we have implemented with our clients.

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Supplier DIFOT & Credit Tracking

SC Analytix’s PTC Servigistics solution optimises your service parts supply chain

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Inventory Planning Software

Review forecasted demand, uplift ordering and inventory management discipline. Effectively manage service and cost.

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Supplier Fulfilment Comms.

Monitor and record supplier fulfilment performance. Automatically distribute targeted communications to internal teams.

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Reporting Dashboards

Unlock continuous improvement opportunities and improve responsiveness through visibility of operational performance

People

Demand Forecast & Workforce Planning

Plan for peak periods of demand, optimise workforce capacity and roster investment to meet service and cost targets.

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Best-of-Breed Inventory Planning System Implementation

Leverage the potential of market leading inventory planning and optimisation capability.

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Production Kitchen Planning & Recipe Management

SC Analytix’s PTC Servigistics solution optimises your service parts supply chain

Gear

Operational Asset Tracking

Maintain operational visibility of assets across the network, ensuring continuing capability exists and mitigating investment risk

Our Partnerships

SC Analytix’s PTC Servigistics solution optimises your service parts supply chain

Delivering solutions for complex logistics problems

A single platform for supply chain orchestration

Helping companies fulfil their customer's promises, GAINS is the supply chain performance optimisation company

AutoStore develops order fulfilment solutions to help businesses achieve efficiency gains within the storage and retrieval of goods.

Cloud Based Transport Management System for Agriculture

Zycus is the leader in Source-to-Pay (S2P) solutions, pioneering the world's first Generative AI powered platform that helps procurement achieve 10X speed and efficiency

Precision Economics focuses on the delivery of tailored economic and quantitative work, especially in situations where existing tools are unable to answer the questions under examination

Informed 365 offer Cloud Based Solutions to Efficiently Manage Your and Your Supply Chain’s Environmental and Social Performance

Mushiny provides proven robot intelligent warehousing solutions for warehousing users, regardless of industry origin

Create unified strategic supply and demand, production, merchandising, and operations planning decisions with the RELEX AI-based platform

Coupa conquers complexity by delivering intelligent insights across supply chain, procurement, and finance

Featured Articles

Workforce Planning & Scheduling
May 19, 2025

How AI Agents Revolutionise Organisational Design, Workforce Planning, Rostering & Scheduling

Discover how AI agents are transforming organisational design, workforce planning, rostering, and scheduling for Australian and New Zealand businesses. Learn how Trace Consultants can help you leverage AI to boost efficiency and stay competitive.

How AI Agents Revolutionise Organisational Design, Workforce Planning, Rostering & Scheduling

The Power of AI in Organisational Excellence

In today’s dynamic business landscape, Australian and New Zealand organisations face mounting pressure to optimise their structures, manage workforces effectively, and streamline operations. From navigating skills shortages to adapting to hybrid work models, the challenges are complex. AI agents—intelligent systems powered by machine learning and automation—are emerging as game-changers in organisational design, workforce planning, rostering, and scheduling.

At Trace Consultants, we specialise in helping businesses across Australia and New Zealand harness AI to transform their operations. This article explores how AI agents can be leveraged across these critical areas and highlights how our expertise can drive your organisation’s success.

Understanding AI Agents

AI agents are advanced software systems that use artificial intelligence to perform tasks autonomously or with minimal human input. They can analyse vast datasets, predict outcomes, and make data-driven decisions in real time. Unlike traditional automation, AI agents learn from experience, adapt to changing conditions, and optimise processes dynamically.

For Australian and New Zealand businesses, AI agents offer solutions to regional challenges, such as managing dispersed workforces, complying with complex labour laws, and addressing seasonal demand fluctuations. From predictive analytics to automated scheduling, AI agents are reshaping how organisations operate.

AI Agents in Organisational Design

Organisational design involves structuring teams, processes, and systems to achieve strategic goals. AI agents enhance this process by providing data-driven insights, optimising hierarchies, and fostering agility.

Key Applications

  • Structure Optimisation: AI agents analyse organisational data—such as employee roles, workflows, and performance metrics—to recommend efficient structures. For example, they can identify redundancies or suggest cross-functional teams to improve collaboration.
  • Change Management: AI agents simulate the impact of restructuring, helping leaders anticipate challenges and plan transitions. This is vital for businesses in Sydney or Auckland navigating mergers or expansions.
  • Culture and Engagement: By analysing employee feedback and engagement data, AI agents provide insights to design cultures that boost productivity and retention, aligning with Australia and New Zealand’s focus on workplace wellbeing.

How Trace Consultants Can Help

At Trace Consultants, we use AI-driven tools to design organisations that are agile, efficient, and employee-centric. Our team combines industry expertise with advanced analytics to create structures tailored to your business goals. Whether you’re a retailer in Melbourne or a tech firm in Wellington, we can help you build an organisation that thrives in a competitive market.

AI Agents in Workforce Planning

Workforce planning ensures organisations have the right people with the right skills at the right time. AI agents revolutionise this process by providing accurate forecasts, identifying skill gaps, and enabling strategic talent management.

Key Applications

  • Demand Forecasting: AI agents analyse market trends, business goals, and historical data to predict staffing needs. This is crucial for industries like healthcare in Australia, where demand for nurses fluctuates, or agriculture in New Zealand, with seasonal labour peaks.
  • Skills Mapping: AI agents assess current workforce capabilities and identify gaps, recommending training or hiring strategies to address them.
  • Scenario Planning: AI agents simulate scenarios—such as economic downturns or technological disruptions—to help organisations plan for future workforce needs.

How Trace Consultants Can Help

Trace Consultants leverages AI agents to streamline your workforce planning. We integrate predictive analytics to ensure your talent strategy aligns with business objectives. By partnering with us, you can build a workforce that’s resilient, skilled, and ready for future challenges.

AI Agents in Rostering and Scheduling

Rostering and scheduling are critical for managing labour costs, ensuring compliance, and maintaining employee satisfaction. AI agents optimise these processes by automating complex tasks and balancing business and employee needs.

Key Applications

  • Automated Rostering: AI agents create schedules that account for employee availability, skills, and labour laws, such as Australia’s Fair Work Act or New Zealand’s Employment Relations Act. They reduce manual effort and ensure compliance.
  • Demand-Driven Scheduling: AI agents align schedules with real-time demand data, such as customer footfall in retail or patient volumes in hospitals, minimising over- or under-staffing.
  • Employee Preferences: AI agents incorporate employee preferences, such as shift times or days off, to boost satisfaction and reduce turnover, a key concern in Australia and New Zealand’s tight labour markets.

How Trace Consultants Can Help

Trace Consultants partners with businesses to implement AI-driven rostering and scheduling solutions. We integrate systems that automate scheduling, ensure compliance, and prioritise employee wellbeing. Our tailored solutions help you reduce costs, improve efficiency, and create a happier workforce.

Benefits of AI Agents for Australian and New Zealand Businesses

AI agents deliver significant advantages for organisations in Australia and New Zealand:

  • Cost Efficiency: Optimised structures, workforce plans, and schedules reduce labour costs and improve resource allocation.
  • Compliance: AI agents ensure adherence to complex labour regulations, minimising legal risks.
  • Employee Satisfaction: By incorporating employee preferences and fostering positive cultures, AI agents boost engagement and retention.
  • Agility: AI-driven insights enable organisations to adapt quickly to market changes, such as economic shifts or technological advancements.

Challenges and Considerations

Adopting AI agents comes with challenges that businesses must address:

  • Data Quality: AI agents require accurate, integrated data. Organisations must invest in data management systems.
  • Implementation Costs: Deploying AI solutions involves upfront costs for technology and training.
  • Employee Buy-In: Staff may resist AI-driven changes, requiring effective change management and communication.

Trace Consultants mitigates these challenges by providing comprehensive support, from data integration to employee training. Our proven methodologies ensure a seamless transition to AI-driven operations.

Why Choose Trace Consultants?

At Trace Consultants, we’re committed to helping Australian and New Zealand businesses unlock the potential of AI in organisational design, workforce planning, rostering, and scheduling. Here’s why we’re the right partner:

  • Regional Expertise: We understand the unique challenges of operating in Australia and New Zealand, from labour laws to cultural nuances.
  • Customised Solutions: We design AI strategies that align with your specific business needs and industry context.
  • End-to-End Support: From strategy to implementation, we guide you through every step of the AI adoption process.
  • Proven Expertise: Our clients have achieved significant improvements in efficiency, compliance, and employee satisfaction through our AI solutions.

Ready to transform your organisation? Contact Trace Consultants today to explore how we can help you leverage AI for success.

Embracing the AI-Driven Future

AI agents are revolutionising how Australian and New Zealand businesses approach organisational design, workforce planning, rostering, and scheduling. By optimising structures, aligning talent strategies, and streamlining schedules, AI empowers organisations to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. With Trace Consultants as your partner, you can harness AI to build an organisation that’s efficient, compliant, and future-ready.

Don’t miss out on the AI revolution. Visit our Insights page for more resources, or reach out to our team to start your AI journey today.

Call to Action: Ready to optimise your organisation with AI? Get in touch with Trace Consultants for a consultation.

Trace Consultants is a leading consultancy serving businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Visit www.traceconsultants.com.au to learn more.

Planning, Forecasting, S&OP and IBP
May 18, 2025

How AI Agents Can Transform Supply Chain Design, Planning, and Operations

Discover how AI agents are revolutionising supply chain management for Australian and New Zealand businesses. From optimising design to streamlining operations, learn how Trace Consultants can help you harness AI to stay competitive.

How AI Agents Can Transform Supply Chain Design, Planning, and Operations

Introduction: The AI Revolution in Supply Chain Management

In today’s fast-paced, globalised economy, supply chain management is more complex than ever. Australian and New Zealand businesses face unique challenges, from vast geographic distances to fluctuating demand and rising customer expectations. Enter AI agents—intelligent, autonomous systems that are transforming how supply chains are designed, planned, and operated. These agents leverage advanced algorithms, machine learning, and real-time data to drive efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance resilience.

At Trace Consultants, we specialise in helping businesses across Australia and New Zealand integrate AI into their supply chains. In this article, we’ll explore how AI agents can be leveraged across supply chain design, planning, and operations, and highlight how our expertise can help you stay ahead in a competitive market.

What Are AI Agents?

AI agents are software systems that use artificial intelligence to perform tasks autonomously or semi-autonomously. Unlike traditional automation, AI agents can learn from data, adapt to changing conditions, and make decisions with minimal human intervention. In the context of supply chains, AI agents can analyse vast datasets, predict outcomes, and optimise processes in real time.

For Australian and New Zealand businesses, AI agents offer a way to tackle challenges like remote logistics, seasonal demand fluctuations, and supply chain disruptions caused by natural events. From predictive analytics to robotic process automation, AI agents are redefining what’s possible in supply chain management.

AI Agents in Supply Chain Design

Supply chain design involves creating a network that balances cost, efficiency, and resilience. AI agents excel in this area by analysing complex variables—such as supplier locations, transportation costs, and market demand—to optimise network configurations.

Key Applications

  • Network Optimisation: AI agents can model multiple scenarios to determine the optimal number and location of warehouses, distribution centres, and suppliers. For example, they can factor in Australia’s vast distances or New Zealand’s island geography to minimise transport costs.
  • Risk Assessment: By analysing historical data and external factors like weather patterns or geopolitical events, AI agents can identify potential risks and recommend resilient designs.
  • Sustainability: AI agents can optimise supply chain designs to reduce carbon emissions, aligning with Australia and New Zealand’s growing focus on sustainability.

How Trace Consultants Can Help

At Trace Consultants, we use AI-driven tools to design supply chains tailored to your business needs. Our team combines industry expertise with advanced analytics to create networks that are cost-effective, resilient, and sustainable. Whether you’re a retailer in Sydney or a manufacturer in Auckland, we can help you build a supply chain that drives long-term success.

AI Agents in Supply Chain Planning

Effective supply chain planning ensures that the right products are available at the right time and place. AI agents enhance planning by providing accurate forecasts, optimising inventory, and enabling agile responses to market changes.

Key Applications

  • Demand Forecasting: AI agents analyse historical sales data, market trends, and external factors (e.g., holidays or economic conditions) to predict demand with high accuracy. This is particularly valuable for Australian retailers facing seasonal peaks like Christmas or EOFY sales.
  • Inventory Optimisation: AI agents balance inventory levels to minimise holding costs while avoiding stockouts. They can recommend safety stock levels for remote regions like Western Australia or New Zealand’s South Island.
  • Scenario Planning: AI agents simulate “what-if” scenarios—such as supplier delays or demand spikes—to help businesses plan for contingencies.

How Trace Consultants Can Help

Our team at Trace Consultants leverages AI agents to streamline your supply chain planning. We integrate predictive analytics into your processes, ensuring accurate forecasts and optimised inventory. By partnering with us, you can reduce costs, improve customer satisfaction, and stay agile in a dynamic market.

AI Agents in Supply Chain Operations

Supply chain operations involve the day-to-day execution of logistics, warehousing, and transportation. AI agents enhance efficiency by automating tasks, optimising routes, and enabling real-time decision-making.

Key Applications

  • Logistics Optimisation: AI agents optimise delivery routes, reducing fuel costs and transit times. This is critical for Australian businesses managing long-haul transport across the Outback or New Zealand’s rugged terrain.
  • Warehouse Automation: AI-powered robots and systems streamline picking, packing, and sorting in warehouses, boosting throughput and reducing errors.
  • Real-Time Monitoring: AI agents track shipments and inventory in real time, providing visibility and enabling proactive responses to disruptions like port delays.

How Trace Consultants Can Help

Trace Consultants partners with businesses to implement AI-driven solutions in supply chain operations. From integrating IoT devices for real-time tracking to deploying AI-powered warehouse systems, we help you achieve operational excellence. Our tailored solutions ensure your operations are efficient, scalable, and ready for future growth.

Benefits of AI Agents for Australian and New Zealand Businesses

AI agents offer a range of benefits that are particularly relevant for businesses in Australia and New Zealand:

  • Cost Reduction: By optimising networks, inventory, and logistics, AI agents lower operational costs.
  • Improved Resilience: AI-driven risk assessments and scenario planning help businesses navigate disruptions like bushfires or global supply chain shocks.
  • Enhanced Customer Experience: Accurate forecasting and efficient operations ensure timely deliveries, boosting customer satisfaction.
  • Sustainability: AI agents support eco-friendly practices, helping businesses meet regulatory requirements and consumer expectations.

Challenges and Considerations

While AI agents offer immense potential, their adoption comes with challenges:

  • Data Quality: AI agents rely on accurate, high-quality data. Businesses must invest in data integration and cleansing.
  • Implementation Costs: Deploying AI solutions requires upfront investment in technology and training.
  • Change Management: Employees may need reskilling to work alongside AI systems.

Trace Consultants mitigates these challenges by providing end-to-end support, from data preparation to staff training. Our proven methodologies ensure a smooth transition to AI-driven supply chain management.

Why Choose Trace Consultants?

At Trace Consultants, we’re passionate about helping Australian and New Zealand businesses unlock the full potential of AI in their supply chains. Here’s why we’re the right partner for you:

  • Local Expertise: We understand the unique challenges of operating in Australia and New Zealand, from remote logistics to regulatory requirements.
  • Tailored Solutions: We design AI-driven strategies that align with your business goals and industry needs.
  • End-to-End Support: From strategy to implementation, we guide you every step of the way.
  • Proven Results: Our clients have achieved significant cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced resilience through our AI solutions.

Ready to transform your supply chain? Contact Trace Consultants today to discuss how we can help you leverage AI agents for success.

The Future of Supply Chain Management

AI agents are no longer a futuristic concept—they’re a game-changer for supply chain management in Australia and New Zealand. By optimising design, enhancing planning, and streamlining operations, AI agents empower businesses to stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market. With Trace Consultants as your partner, you can harness the power of AI to build a supply chain that’s efficient, resilient, and future-ready.

Don’t get left behind. Visit our Insights page for more resources, or reach out to our team to start your AI journey today.

Call to Action: Want to revolutionise your supply chain with AI? Get in touch with Trace Consultants for a consultation.

Trace Consultants is a leading supply chain consultancy serving businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Visit www.traceconsultants.com.au to learn more.

Procurement
May 14, 2025

How Trace Consultants Supports Large, Complex Property-Based and Asset-Intensive Businesses with Procurement

How Trace Consultants Supports Large, Complex Property-Based and Asset-Intensive Businesses with Procurement

Large, complex property-based or asset-intensive businesses—such as those in healthcare, retail, manufacturing, or government—face unique challenges in managing their mechanical, electrical, plumbing (MEP), fire and life safety, and building management systems (BMS). These systems are critical to operational continuity, safety, and efficiency, yet their procurement is often fraught with complexity due to technical specifications, regulatory requirements, and the need to balance cost with performance. Trace Consultants, Australia’s premier supply chain and procurement advisory firm, offers tailored solutions to streamline these processes, delivering measurable improvements in cost, service, and compliance. This article explores how Trace Consultants supports such organizations through strategic procurement, innovative tools, and deep industry expertise.

Aligning Scopes and Defining Requirements for Best-in-Class Outcomes

One of the primary challenges in procuring MEP, fire and life safety, and BMS is defining clear, fit-for-purpose scopes of work that align with organizational goals and industry standards. Trace Consultants excels in helping businesses articulate their requirements across three distinct performance tiers:

  • A-Class: Best in Class
    A-class solutions represent the pinnacle of performance, incorporating cutting-edge technology, maximum reliability, and sustainability. For example, a best-in-class BMS might integrate AI-powered analytics for predictive maintenance, optimize energy consumption, and comply with the highest international standards, such as ISO 41000 for facilities management. Trace works with clients to define scopes that prioritize innovation, long-term value, and alignment with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals. This might involve specifying advanced fire suppression systems that exceed Australian standards or MEP systems designed for net-zero carbon targets.
  • B-Class: Good Practice
    B-class solutions focus on robust, reliable systems that meet industry benchmarks without the premium cost of A-class options. These are ideal for organizations seeking a balance between performance and budget. Trace ensures that B-class scopes align with Australian standards (e.g., AS/NZS 3000 for electrical installations) and international good practices, such as NFPA-70B for electrical maintenance. For instance, a B-class fire and life safety system might include standard-compliant sprinklers and smoke detection systems with proven reliability, tailored to the specific needs of a commercial facility.
  • C-Class: Minimum Requirement
    C-class solutions meet the minimum regulatory and safety standards, ensuring compliance while prioritizing cost efficiency. These are suitable for smaller facilities or assets with lower operational criticality. Trace ensures that even C-class scopes adhere to mandatory standards, such as the Building Code of Australia (BCA) or NFPA-70B, avoiding risks associated with non-compliance. For example, a C-class MEP scope might specify basic HVAC systems that meet BCA requirements but forego advanced automation features.

By working closely with clients to understand their operational needs, asset portfolios, and budget constraints, Trace crafts scopes that are precise, actionable, and aligned with both Australian and international standards. This structured approach minimizes ambiguity, reduces the risk of scope creep, and ensures suppliers deliver against clear expectations.

The Trace Pricing Schedule Tool: Ensuring Compliance and Transparency

A key innovation from Trace Consultants is its proprietary pricing schedule tool, designed to standardize and streamline the procurement of technical property services. This tool incorporates minimum requirements aligned with standards such as NFPA-70B (Electrical Equipment Maintenance), AS 1851 (Fire Protection Systems Maintenance), and AS/NZS 3666 (Air-Handling and Water Systems). Here’s how it works:

  • Standardized Pricing Frameworks
    The tool establishes a baseline pricing structure that reflects compliance with mandatory standards. For instance, NFPA-70B requires regular inspection and testing of electrical equipment to prevent failures. The pricing schedule tool ensures that bids include these mandatory activities, preventing suppliers from cutting corners to lower costs. It also allows clients to compare bids on a like-for-like basis, ensuring transparency and fairness.
  • Customizable for Performance Tiers
    The tool is flexible, enabling clients to adjust pricing schedules based on A, B, or C-class requirements. For example, an A-class schedule for a BMS might include advanced cybersecurity hunt-and-peck pricing for regular maintenance, while a C-class schedule might focus solely on statutory compliance checks. This customization ensures that pricing reflects the desired level of service quality and system performance.
  • Cost Benchmarking and Market Alignment
    The tool integrates market intelligence to benchmark pricing against current industry rates. By analyzing data from recent tenders, supplier contracts, and industry reports, Trace ensures that pricing schedules reflect competitive market conditions. This prevents overpayment for services and identifies opportunities for cost savings.
  • Auditability and Accountability
    The pricing schedule tool generates detailed documentation, making it easy to audit procurement decisions and demonstrate compliance with governance requirements. This is particularly valuable for public sector clients or organizations subject to strict regulatory oversight.

By implementing this tool, Trace Consultants empowers clients to procure technical services with confidence, knowing that pricing is fair, compliant, and aligned with their strategic objectives.

Benchmarking Incumbent Suppliers and Exploring Market Options

Many property-based and asset-intensive businesses rely on long-term relationships with incumbent suppliers for MEP, fire and life safety, and BMS services. While these relationships can provide stability, they often lead to untested pricing and missed opportunities for innovation or cost savings. Trace Consultants addresses this challenge through a rigorous benchmarking and market exploration process.

  • Incumbent Supplier Benchmarking
    Trace conducts a detailed analysis of incumbent supplier performance, pricing, and contract terms. This involves reviewing service level agreements (SLAs), maintenance schedules, and cost structures against industry benchmarks. For example, if an incumbent is charging above-market rates for HVAC maintenance, Trace identifies the discrepancy and quantifies potential savings from renegotiation or re-tendering.
  • Market Option Analysis
    To ensure clients access the best suppliers, Trace explores the broader market, leveraging its extensive network and industry expertise. This includes identifying suppliers with specialized capabilities, such as those offering IoT-enabled BMS or advanced fire suppression technologies. Trace also assesses suppliers’ ESG credentials, ensuring alignment with sustainability goals—a critical consideration given increasing regulatory focus on Scope 3 emissions.
  • Competitive Tendering Support
    Trace supports clients through the entire go-to-market process, from developing tender documentation to managing supplier queries and evaluating bids. Its Procurement Excellence Framework ensures that tenders are structured to attract high-quality responses while maintaining transparency and fairness. For instance, Trace might design a tender for MEP services that includes clear KPIs, such as system uptime or energy efficiency targets, to drive supplier accountability.

By benchmarking incumbents and exploring market options, Trace helps clients achieve significant cost savings—often 10-20% on technical services—while improving service quality and compliance.

Supporting Response Reviews for Informed Decision-Making

Evaluating supplier responses to tenders is a complex task, particularly for technical services like MEP, fire and life safety, and BMS. Trace Consultants provides expert support to ensure that response reviews are thorough, objective, and aligned with client priorities.

  • Technical and Commercial Evaluation
    Trace assesses supplier bids on both technical and commercial criteria. Technical evaluations focus on compliance with standards (e.g., AS 1670 for fire detection systems), system reliability, and alignment with the specified A, B, or C-class scope. Commercial evaluations analyze pricing, contract terms, and value-added services, such as extended warranties or predictive maintenance capabilities.
  • Risk and ESG Assessment
    Beyond technical and commercial factors, Trace evaluates supplier risks, including financial stability, cybersecurity practices, and modern slavery compliance. ESG considerations, such as carbon footprint or ethical sourcing, are also factored into the review, ensuring alignment with regulatory and corporate sustainability goals.
  • Weighted Decision Frameworks
    To facilitate decision-making, Trace develops weighted evaluation frameworks that prioritize client-specific criteria. For example, a healthcare facility might prioritize system reliability and compliance over cost, while a retail chain might emphasize energy efficiency. These frameworks ensure that decisions are data-driven and defensible.

By providing rigorous response reviews, Trace enables clients to select suppliers that deliver optimal value, performance, and compliance.

Assessing ‘Sweating Assets’ vs. Replace or Maintain

A critical decision for asset-intensive businesses is whether to extend the life of existing MEP, fire, or BMS systems (“sweating assets”), maintain them as-is, or invest in replacements. Trace Consultants supports clients in making informed decisions through a structured, data-driven approach.

  • Asset Condition Assessments
    Trace conducts detailed audits of existing systems, assessing their condition, performance, and remaining useful life. For example, an aging BMS might still function but lack modern features like remote monitoring, while an outdated fire suppression system might no longer comply with AS 1851. These assessments provide a clear picture of asset health and risks.
  • Cost-Benefit Analysis
    Trace performs cost-benefit analyses to compare the financial and operational implications of sweating, maintaining, or replacing assets. This includes modeling lifecycle costs, energy savings, and potential downtime risks. For instance, replacing an inefficient HVAC system might involve high upfront costs but yield significant energy savings and compliance benefits over time.
  • Regulatory and Risk Considerations
    Decisions are informed by regulatory requirements and risk profiles. Sweating assets might be viable for non-critical systems but unacceptable for life safety systems, where non-compliance could lead to legal or safety liabilities. Trace ensures that all options align with standards like NFPA-70B or the BCA.
  • Sustainability and Innovation
    Trace also considers opportunities to integrate sustainable or innovative solutions during replacement. For example, replacing a legacy BMS with a smart system could reduce energy consumption and support ESG goals, while upgrading fire systems might improve response times and occupant safety.

By providing a holistic assessment, Trace helps clients optimize their asset management strategies, balancing cost, performance, and compliance.

Addressing the Procurement Discipline Gap in Property Services

The highly technical and engineering-focused nature of property services often leads to a procurement discipline gap. Many organizations lack the in-house expertise to effectively manage complex MEP, fire, or BMS procurement, resulting in reliance on incumbent suppliers and untested pricing. This gap creates significant opportunities for cost savings and performance improvements, which Trace Consultants is uniquely positioned to unlock.

  • Overcoming Technical Complexity
    Procuring technical services requires deep engineering and regulatory knowledge. Trace’s team of supply chain and procurement experts, combined with its technical consultants, bridges this gap. For example, Trace can translate engineering requirements into clear tender specifications, ensuring suppliers understand and meet expectations.
  • Challenging Incumbent Pricing
    Incumbent suppliers often benefit from long-term contracts with minimal scrutiny. Trace’s benchmarking and market analysis reveal pricing inefficiencies, enabling clients to renegotiate contracts or switch to more competitive suppliers. In one case, Trace helped a healthcare provider reduce BMS maintenance costs by 15% by identifying overcharges and re-tendering the contract.
  • Building Procurement Capability
    Beyond immediate procurement support, Trace builds clients’ internal capabilities through training, templates, and process improvements. This empowers organizations to manage future procurements more effectively, reducing dependency on external consultants over time.
  • Driving Tangible Results
    The opportunities arising from the procurement discipline gap are substantial. Trace’s fact-based, hypothesis-driven approach—leveraging data analysis, scenario modeling, and business case development—consistently delivers 20-40% cost savings, improved service levels, and enhanced compliance. These results are particularly impactful for large, complex organizations with extensive asset portfolios.

Why Trace Consultants?

Trace Consultants stands out as Australia’s leading boutique advisory firm for supply chain and procurement, with a proven track record across sectors like healthcare, retail, manufacturing, and government. Its key differentiators include:

  • Deep Expertise
    Trace’s team combines supply chain strategy, procurement, and technical engineering expertise, enabling it to tackle the most complex property services challenges.
  • Fact-Based Approach
    By leveraging data analytics, market intelligence, and scenario modeling, Trace ensures that recommendations are grounded in evidence and tailored to client needs.
  • End-to-End Support
    From scope definition to supplier selection and asset management, Trace provides comprehensive support across the entire procurement lifecycle.
  • Client-Centric Philosophy
    Trace builds trusted partnerships, working collaboratively to understand clients’ unique needs and deliver practical, sustainable solutions.
  • Innovation and Technology
    Tools like the pricing schedule platform, combined with expertise in digital twins, AI, and IoT, position Trace at the forefront of procurement innovation.

For large, complex property-based or asset-intensive businesses, procuring MEP, fire and life safety, and BMS is a high-stakes endeavor that demands precision, expertise, and innovation. Trace Consultants offers a comprehensive solution, aligning scopes with A, B, or C-class requirements, leveraging tools like its pricing schedule platform, and delivering end-to-end procurement support. By benchmarking suppliers, exploring market options, reviewing responses, and optimizing asset strategies, Trace unlocks significant cost savings, enhances service quality, and ensures compliance with Australian and international standards. In an industry where the procurement discipline is often underdeveloped, Trace’s expertise and fact-based approach create substantial opportunities for organizations to thrive. Whether you’re managing a hospital, retail chain, or government facility, Trace Consultants is your trusted partner for procurement excellence.

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Navigating the Future of Planning: A Conversation with Mathew Tolley on Software Selection Excellence

Dive into an exclusive interview with Mathew Tolley, where we unravel the secrets to successfully selecting advanced planning software.
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Australia's Defence Supply Chains: Acqusition may win battles, but only Sustainment can win a war.

Dive into the critical role of Australia's defence supply chains in ensuring military readiness. This blog explores the importance of sustainment over acquisition, delving into heavy asset management, MRO logistics, and the key attributes that secure a competitive edge in uncertain times. Learn how demand planning, service delivery, and innovative logistics execution keep the ADF battle-ready.
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Interview with Tim Fagan: Navigating IT Transformation in Australian Businesses

Join us in a conversation with Tim Fagan on how Australian businesses are improving supply chain performance and reducing costs through tactical IT changes and best of breed systems.
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Interview with Emma Woodberry: Driving Sustainability Through Supply Chain Optimisation

Join Emma Woodberry in exploring how retailers and manufacturers can enhance sustainability and reduce transport costs through strategic supply chain optimisation.
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