How Low Code No Code Solutions are Revolutionising Supply Chains in Australia and New Zealand

October 16, 2024

How Low Code No Code Solutions are Revolutionising Supply Chains in Australia and New Zealand

Supply chains across industries are under increasing pressure to be more agile, cost-efficient, and resilient. From managing global disruptions to coping with the complex logistics of fast-paced markets, supply chain leaders are seeking technological solutions that provide flexibility and scalability without requiring extensive IT resources or custom development. This is where low-code and no-code (LCNC) solutions come into play, offering an unprecedented opportunity to automate workflows, enable data capture, and deliver structured reporting—all with minimal coding expertise.

In this article, we will explore how low-code and no-code platforms are making a significant impact on supply chains across key sectors, including Retail, Manufacturing, Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG), Healthcare, and Pharmaceuticals. We will also highlight how Trace Consultants has had notable success in helping clients deploy Microsoft Power Apps-based solutions to deliver immediate and tangible results in these industries.

Understanding Low-Code No-Code Solutions

Low-code and no-code platforms empower users—many of whom may not have formal coding skills—to design and implement applications, automate processes, and improve data management. The fundamental difference between the two lies in the level of technical engagement required:

  • Low-code platforms provide pre-built templates and drag-and-drop tools but may require some coding knowledge for more complex customisations.
  • No-code platforms are entirely user-friendly, relying on visual interfaces to create fully functional applications without writing a single line of code.

These platforms have gained significant traction in recent years due to their ability to enable rapid development, reduce reliance on IT departments, and provide cost-effective solutions that can be deployed in a fraction of the time compared to traditional software development.

Key Applications of Low-Code No-Code Solutions in Supply Chain

While LCNC platforms are versatile across various business functions, they hold particular promise for supply chain management, where data-driven decisions, operational efficiency, and adaptability are crucial. Below, we look at how these platforms are transforming supply chains in Retail, Manufacturing, FMCG, Healthcare, and Pharmaceuticals across Australia and New Zealand.

1. Retail: Enhancing Inventory Management and Store Operations

In the highly competitive retail environment, efficient supply chain management is critical to reducing operational costs, optimising inventory, and delivering better customer experiences. LCNC platforms can automate multiple retail supply chain processes, from inventory tracking to demand forecasting and store-level operations.

For example, Microsoft Power Apps has been used successfully in retail supply chains to automate workflows related to inventory replenishment, reducing the time needed for manual processes and minimising stockouts. Retailers can design apps that connect to existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, providing real-time insights into inventory levels across multiple locations. This allows managers to make data-driven decisions on stock transfers and reorder points, thus improving overall store operations.

Moreover, LCNC platforms facilitate reporting and analytics, enabling retailers to capture data from sales, returns, and customer preferences to fine-tune supply chain strategies. This level of visibility helps retailers maintain lean operations while responding rapidly to changes in demand patterns.

2. Manufacturing: Automating Production and Quality Control

Manufacturing supply chains are characterised by intricate processes, stringent quality control measures, and often multiple stakeholders across the value chain. Low-code and no-code platforms offer manufacturers the ability to streamline their operations by automating workflows and capturing data for production planning, inventory management, and quality assurance.

One common application is the automation of production scheduling. Using Power Apps, manufacturers can build custom applications that automate scheduling tasks, ensuring that production meets customer demand without overburdening the workforce or machines. This helps manufacturers avoid costly delays and maintain efficient production flows.

Additionally, LCNC platforms can be integrated with IoT devices and sensors for real-time monitoring of equipment performance and product quality. For instance, a no-code app can trigger alerts when a machine requires maintenance, thereby reducing unplanned downtime. These platforms also enable structured reporting on quality control metrics, ensuring that manufacturers can quickly identify and address issues before they affect output.

3. FMCG: Streamlining Supplier Collaboration and Demand Planning

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) companies rely heavily on efficient supply chains to meet the rapid pace of consumer demand. In this context, low-code and no-code solutions play a vital role in enhancing collaboration between suppliers, manufacturers, and retailers, as well as improving demand planning.

LCNC platforms enable supplier collaboration portals that provide real-time updates on order status, shipments, and inventory levels. By automating supplier interactions, FMCG companies can reduce lead times, minimise errors, and improve communication across the supply chain. For example, a Power Apps-based portal allows suppliers to update order fulfilment status in real time, which automatically triggers notifications and updates for the buying teams.

Demand planning is another critical area where LCNC platforms shine. By leveraging historical sales data and external market factors, custom-built applications can automate demand forecasting, reducing the reliance on manual spreadsheets and enabling more accurate predictions of future demand. This, in turn, improves inventory management and reduces the risk of overstocking or stockouts.

4. Healthcare: Improving Patient Flow and Supply Logistics

Healthcare supply chains are complex, with hospitals and medical facilities required to manage a vast array of resources—from medical supplies and pharmaceuticals to food services and patient transport. Low-code and no-code platforms can help automate several aspects of healthcare supply chain management, ensuring that critical supplies are available when and where they are needed.

A key area of impact is in patient flow management, where LCNC platforms can streamline the logistics of moving patients through different areas of the hospital. Custom applications can automate bed assignment, coordinate transport between departments, and track the availability of medical equipment in real time. By improving operational efficiency, healthcare providers can reduce patient wait times and enhance overall care quality.

Another important application is in inventory management for medical supplies and pharmaceuticals. Power Apps can be used to create apps that automatically track the consumption of medical supplies, ensuring that reordering occurs well before critical stock levels are reached. This helps hospitals avoid shortages and maintain compliance with regulatory standards for medical supply availability.

5. Pharmaceuticals: Enhancing Compliance and Traceability

Pharmaceutical supply chains face unique challenges, including the need for strict compliance with regulatory standards and the requirement for robust traceability. Low-code and no-code platforms can help address these challenges by automating compliance processes and providing real-time visibility into the movement of pharmaceutical products.

For example, Power Apps can be used to create track-and-trace systems that monitor the movement of pharmaceuticals from manufacturing to distribution. This level of traceability is critical for ensuring product safety and compliance with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) standards. These systems also enable pharmaceutical companies to respond quickly to recalls or other supply chain disruptions.

LCNC platforms are also used to automate regulatory reporting, ensuring that pharmaceutical companies can easily generate reports required by government authorities. By automating these processes, pharmaceutical companies reduce the risk of non-compliance and free up resources for more value-added activities.

How Trace Consultants is Leading the Way with Microsoft Power Apps

At Trace Consultants, we have seen firsthand how low-code and no-code platforms, particularly Microsoft Power Apps, are transforming supply chains across various sectors. Our expertise lies in understanding our clients’ specific supply chain challenges and delivering tailored solutions that leverage Power Apps to automate workflows, enable data capture, and deliver structured reporting—often with immediate, tangible outcomes.

Case Study: Power Apps in Retail Supply Chain

In one notable engagement with a leading Australian retailer, Trace Consultants implemented a Power Apps-based solution to automate the inventory replenishment process. The retailer faced challenges with manual processes that were slow and error-prone, leading to stockouts and lost sales. By deploying a custom-built app that integrated with the retailer’s ERP system, Trace helped automate stock monitoring, reordering, and reporting.

The result was a significant reduction in stockouts, improved inventory turnover, and a more efficient use of store personnel who no longer needed to spend time manually tracking inventory levels. This project demonstrated how even a relatively simple LCNC solution could have a powerful impact on supply chain performance.

Case Study: Power Apps in Healthcare Supply Chain

In the healthcare sector, Trace Consultants worked with a regional hospital network in New Zealand to improve its medical supply logistics. The hospital network was struggling with inconsistent inventory levels and frequent stockouts of critical supplies. Trace developed a Power Apps-based application that provided real-time visibility into supply levels across multiple locations, automatically triggered reordering when stock levels dropped below a set threshold, and generated compliance reports.

This solution not only reduced stockouts and improved patient care but also delivered cost savings by reducing the amount of expired inventory and ensuring that supplies were ordered based on actual usage patterns.

The Future of Low-Code No-Code in Supply Chains

The adoption of low-code and no-code platforms is set to accelerate as more organisations recognise their potential to deliver quick wins and long-term efficiencies. For supply chain leaders in Australia and New Zealand, LCNC solutions provide a way to respond to ongoing challenges, whether it be managing costs, improving customer service, or navigating complex regulatory environments.

As supply chains continue to evolve in complexity, the need for customised, scalable, and adaptable solutions will only grow. Low-code and no-code platforms offer a flexible approach that enables organisations to continuously improve their supply chain operations without the time, cost, or complexity of traditional software development.

In a world where supply chain resilience, efficiency, and agility are more important than ever, low-code and no-code solutions are playing a pivotal role in driving transformation. From retail and FMCG to healthcare and pharmaceuticals, these platforms are helping organisations automate workflows, enable data capture, and provide structured reporting—leading to better decision-making and improved outcomes.

At Trace Consultants, we are proud to be at the forefront of this revolution, helping our clients unlock the potential of low-code and no-code solutions like Microsoft Power Apps to deliver tangible, immediate results. Whether you’re looking to streamline your supply chain, improve collaboration with suppliers, or enhance your compliance and reporting capabilities, LCNC platforms offer a path to success in today’s dynamic business environment.

If your organisation is ready to explore the benefits of low-code and no-code platforms in the supply chain, we at Trace Consultants are here to help you every step of the way.

How will your supply chain benefit from embracing the power of low-code and no-code solutions?

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Technology
February 15, 2025

.Planner - A Smart Demand Planning Solution

Improve your supply chain operations with .Planner, a next-generation demand planning, inventory optimisation, and replenishment system that enhances forecasting accuracy and efficiency.

The Growing Need for Smarter Supply Chain Planning

In today’s complex and dynamic supply chain environment, businesses must optimise inventory, improve demand forecasting, and streamline replenishment to remain competitive. The traditional approaches to demand planning and inventory management are no longer sufficient to meet evolving customer expectations and market conditions.

To address these challenges, Trace Consultants has developed .Planner, a next-generation Demand Planning, Inventory Optimisation, and Replenishment system. Built on the principles of advanced analytics, AI-driven forecasting, and automation, .Planner empowers businesses to enhance decision-making, reduce waste, and improve overall supply chain efficiency.

Why .Planner? The Key Benefits

1. AI-Driven Demand Forecasting

Accurate demand forecasting is the foundation of a resilient supply chain. .Planner leverages machine learning algorithms to analyse historical sales data, market trends, and external factors such as seasonality and economic shifts. The system continuously refines its forecasts, ensuring that businesses can make proactive, data-driven decisions.

2. Real-Time Inventory Optimisation

Balancing inventory levels to meet demand while minimising holding costs is a constant challenge. .Planner provides real-time insights into stock levels, dynamically adjusting inventory replenishment based on actual sales patterns and predictive analytics. This reduces stockouts, overstocking, and excess carrying costs.

3. Automated Replenishment Planning

Replenishment planning can be complex, especially for businesses managing multiple warehouses or distribution centres. .Planner automates replenishment by setting optimal reorder points, calculating economic order quantities, and aligning purchase orders with supplier lead times. This ensures a seamless flow of goods while minimising disruptions.

4. Seamless ERP & Supply Chain System Integration

.Planner integrates seamlessly with ERP systems, warehouse management systems (WMS), and transport management software (TMS). Whether your organisation uses SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or other platforms, .Planner ensures smooth data synchronisation, providing real-time visibility across the entire supply chain.

5. Multi-Channel Demand Management

For businesses operating across multiple sales channels—retail, e-commerce, wholesale—.Planner consolidates demand data from all sources. This enables precise demand planning and stock allocation, ensuring consistent service levels across all customer touchpoints.

6. Scalability for Growing Businesses

As businesses expand, their supply chain complexity increases. .Planner is built to scale, allowing companies to manage growing product lines, new markets, and additional distribution points without compromising operational efficiency.

7. Advanced Analytics and Performance Insights

Data is at the heart of effective supply chain planning. .Planner provides powerful dashboards and reporting tools that help businesses:

  • Identify demand trends and optimise inventory levels.
  • Monitor supplier performance and lead time variability.
  • Improve sales and operations planning (S&OP) alignment.
  • Generate compliance and regulatory reports.

8. Mobile Access and Remote Planning Capabilities

With supply chain teams often working remotely or across different locations, .Planner is mobile-optimised, allowing real-time access to demand forecasts, inventory updates, and replenishment insights from any device.

Implementation: Getting Started with .Planner

Step 1: Business Assessment & Demand Planning Review

Trace Consultants collaborates with businesses to assess their current demand planning and inventory management challenges. A tailored implementation roadmap is developed to align with operational goals.

Step 2: System Configuration & Data Integration

Our team configures .Planner to align with business needs, integrating it with existing ERP, WMS, and procurement systems. The platform is customised to reflect demand planning workflows and supplier relationships.

Step 3: Pilot Testing & Refinement

A pilot phase allows businesses to test .Planner in real-world conditions. The system is fine-tuned based on user feedback and operational insights before full deployment.

Step 4: Full Implementation & Ongoing Support

Once validated, .Planner is deployed across all relevant departments. Ongoing support ensures continuous improvements, system updates, and the introduction of new functionalities as supply chain requirements evolve.

The Future of Supply Chain Planning with .Planner

With increasing volatility in global supply chains, businesses must adopt smarter demand planning and inventory management strategies. .Planner represents the next generation of supply chain optimisation, leveraging AI, automation, and real-time analytics to drive efficiency.

As technology continues to evolve, .Planner will integrate predictive analytics, AI-powered scenario planning, and autonomous replenishment, positioning businesses to proactively navigate supply chain disruptions.

Why Choose .Planner?

For organisations looking to improve supply chain efficiency, .Planner offers a game-changing solution:

AI-Driven Demand Forecasting – Enhances accuracy and responsiveness.
Seamless ERP Integration – Ensures end-to-end supply chain visibility.
Automated Inventory Replenishment – Reduces manual intervention and optimises stock levels.
Scalable & Flexible – Grows with your business needs.
Advanced Analytics – Provides actionable insights for strategic decision-making.
Mobile-Optimised – Enables real-time access and remote management.
Industry-Specific Configurations – Customisable for retail, FMCG, healthcare, hospitality, and more.

Ready to revolutionise your supply chain planning?

Get in touch with Trace Consultants today to learn how .Planner can transform your demand planning, inventory optimisation, and replenishment processes. Let’s build a smarter, more resilient supply chain together!

Technology
October 10, 2023

GAINS Systems Partnership - Advanced Planning Systems Australia and New Zealand

We're thrilled to announce that trace. is joining forces with GAINSystems to deliver cutting-edge planning solutions to organisations across Australia.

🚀 Exciting News! 🤝 trace. and GAINSystems Partner to Transform Australian Supply Chains! 🌏 

We're thrilled to announce that trace. is joining forces with GAINSystems to deliver cutting-edge planning solutions to organisations across Australia. 📦🌐

GAINSystems has long been recognised as a global leader in supply chain planning software, and their expertise is unparalleled. As our key delivery partner in Australia, trace. brings a deep understanding of the local landscape and years of experience in planning system implementations. 📊💼

Together, we will help our clients maximise the value of their technology investments while achieving superior customer service and optimising working capital outcomes. 📈💼

Stay tuned for more updates on this exciting journey as we transform supply chain planning in Australia! 🌟

Technology
October 30, 2023

Harnessing the Power of Co-Pilot and ChatGPT in Supply Chain

A Deep Dive into Supply Chain Transformation on the Microsoft Platform using Power Apps

Harnessing the Power of Co-Pilot and ChatGPT: A Deep Dive into Supply Chain Transformation on the Microsoft Platform using Power Apps

The rapid pace of digital transformation is reshaping industries, with supply chain management being no exception. One of the hottest trends is the integration of advanced AI solutions like OpenAI's Co-Pilot and ChatGPT. But how can these be effectively incorporated into supply chain systems, especially for those on the Microsoft platform using Power Apps? Let's explore this in detail.

1. A Closer Look at Co-Pilot and ChatGPT

To grasp the potential, it's vital first to understand the capacities of these AI tools:

  • Co-Pilot: Think of Co-Pilot as your coding sidekick. Beyond merely providing code suggestions, it understands context, thereby offering more accurate and sophisticated solutions tailored for specific tasks. This is particularly beneficial for creating efficient apps and automating complex processes.
  • ChatGPT: This isn't just another chatbot. It's a dynamic conversational model that can generate human-like text responses. This versatility can range from generating content to providing advanced customer support and more.

2. Synergy with Microsoft's Power Apps

Power Apps, part of Microsoft's Power Platform, empowers users to develop custom applications without the heavy lifting of traditional coding. Merging this with Co-Pilot and ChatGPT can unlock several tangible benefits:

  • Streamlined App Development: With Co-Pilot's assistance, creating apps tailored for specific supply chain tasks (like real-time tracking or vendor management) becomes faster, reducing the time from ideation to deployment.
  • Responsive Chatbots: Using ChatGPT, Power Apps can host chatbots capable of assisting both internal staff and external vendors, offering responses from basic order status checks to intricate supply chain challenges.

3. Elevating Decision-Making

The fusion of AI and supply chain can lead to more informed decisions:

  • Insights at Your Fingertips: Imagine querying ChatGPT about current inventory levels or potential supply disruptions. The model can be trained to fetch and present real-time data, giving managers the insights they need on-demand.
  • Anticipating the Future: Co-Pilot's integration can aid in setting up predictive analytics within Power Apps. This can forecast market demands or even anticipate logistical challenges, enabling proactive strategy formulation.

4. Turbocharging Automation

The word 'automation' often conjures images of repetitive task elimination. But with AI, it's so much more:

  • Intuitive Workflows: Co-Pilot can help design workflows in Power Apps that not only automate tasks but also continuously learn and optimize, ensuring the supply chain becomes more efficient over time.
  • Proactive Notifications: ChatGPT can be configured to analyze supply chain metrics and send alerts proactively. This means stakeholders get notified of potential issues, like stock shortages, before they become real problems.

5. Cost Optimization and Enhanced Efficiency

The practical benefits of this integration are clear:

  • Optimal Resource Allocation: Reducing manual errors and automating complex processes mean resources can be redirected to more strategic tasks, enhancing productivity.
  • Tangible Cost Savings: By having a clearer picture of the supply chain and predicting challenges, organizations can reduce wastage, avoid rush costs, and ensure smoother operations, leading to real monetary savings.

While the potential of AI in supply chain management is vast, it's the tangible, day-to-day improvements that make a difference. The marriage of Co-Pilot and ChatGPT with Microsoft's Power Apps promises not just enhanced operational efficiency but also a competitive edge in an increasingly digital marketplace. By diving deep into these integrations, organizations can be better poised to navigate the future of supply chain management with agility and foresight.