Unlocking Warehouse Efficiency with .Store - A Smart WMS Solution

February 15, 2025

Unlocking Warehouse Efficiency with .Store: A Smart WMS Solution

The Growing Demand for Smarter Warehouse Management

In today’s fast-paced supply chain environment, businesses in retail, FMCG, manufacturing, healthcare, and hospitality must optimise their warehouse operations to stay competitive. With increasing customer expectations for speed, accuracy, and flexibility, traditional warehouse management systems (WMS) often struggle to keep up.

Recognising these challenges, Trace Consultants has developed .Store, a next-generation WMS designed to simplify, automate, and enhance warehouse operations. Built on the principles of low-code/no-code technology, .Store provides a flexible, scalable, and cost-effective solution that enables businesses to streamline workflows, reduce errors, and improve real-time inventory visibility.

Why .Store? The Key Benefits

1. Designed for Simplicity and Usability

Traditional WMS platforms are often complex, expensive, and require extensive training to operate. .Store has been designed with a user-friendly interface, allowing warehouse operators, managers, and supply chain teams to leverage its capabilities with minimal training.

The intuitive dashboard provides real-time data visualisation, task management, and quick access to essential warehouse functions, ensuring seamless day-to-day operations.

2. Seamless Integration with Existing Systems

One of the biggest challenges businesses face when implementing a WMS is system compatibility. .Store is designed to integrate effortlessly with ERP systems, transport management software (TMS), point-of-sale (POS) systems, and other supply chain technologies. Whether your organisation uses SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, or other industry-leading platforms, .Store ensures smooth data synchronisation and interoperability.

3. Real-Time Inventory Visibility

Inventory inaccuracies lead to stockouts, overstocking, and operational inefficiencies. .Store provides real-time tracking of inventory levels across multiple warehouse locations. Features like barcode scanning, RFID compatibility, and automated cycle counting help businesses maintain accurate stock records, improving order fulfilment and reducing wastage.

4. Optimised Picking and Packing

Efficiency in order fulfilment directly impacts customer satisfaction. .Store supports various picking methodologies, including:

  • Batch Picking: Consolidates multiple orders into a single picking run.
  • Zone Picking: Assigns specific areas of the warehouse to different teams for parallel order processing.
  • Wave Picking: Groups orders based on priority, delivery schedules, or SKU type.

With automated picking recommendations and guided workflows, warehouse teams can complete tasks faster while reducing errors.

5. Warehouse Automation and Task Management

.Store incorporates automation features to minimise manual work and optimise task allocation. By leveraging AI-driven task prioritisation, businesses can improve warehouse efficiency. Some automation features include:

  • Automated replenishment triggers based on inventory thresholds.
  • Task scheduling and allocation to warehouse teams.
  • IoT-enabled sensors for tracking temperature-sensitive goods (ideal for pharmaceuticals and F&B businesses).

6. Scalability for Business Growth

Whether you manage a single warehouse or a multi-location distribution network, .Store is built for scalability. As your business grows, the system adapts to increased inventory volumes, new warehouse locations, and evolving operational complexities. The cloud-based architecture ensures real-time synchronisation across all warehouse sites.

7. Enhanced Data Analytics and Reporting

Data-driven decision-making is critical in modern supply chain management. .Store offers powerful analytics dashboards and reporting features, enabling businesses to:

  • Identify demand patterns and optimise inventory levels.
  • Monitor warehouse performance with key metrics (e.g., order cycle times, DIFOT rates, picking accuracy).
  • Generate compliance reports for audits and regulatory requirements.

8. Mobile-Friendly and Remote Access

With warehouse operations becoming more decentralised, the ability to manage logistics remotely is essential. .Store is mobile-optimised, allowing warehouse managers to monitor performance, approve tasks, and track shipments from their smartphones or tablets.

Implementation: Getting Started with .Store

Step 1: Consultation & Requirement Assessment

Trace Consultants works closely with clients to assess current warehouse challenges, pain points, and operational goals. A tailored roadmap is developed to ensure seamless implementation.

Step 2: System Configuration & Integration

Our team configures .Store to align with your specific warehouse processes. This includes customising workflows, integrating with existing systems, and training staff on best practices.

Step 3: Pilot Testing & Optimisation

A phased rollout approach allows businesses to test the system in a controlled environment. Feedback from warehouse teams is incorporated to fine-tune the platform before full-scale deployment.

Step 4: Full Implementation & Ongoing Support

Once successfully tested, .Store is deployed across the entire warehouse network. Trace Consultants provides continuous support, ensuring smooth operations and ongoing system enhancements.

The Future of Warehouse Management with .Store

With supply chain disruptions, evolving customer expectations, and the rapid digitalisation of logistics, having a smart WMS is no longer optional—it’s essential. .Store represents the future of warehouse management, providing businesses with the tools to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and scalability.

As AI, machine learning, and IoT technologies continue to evolve, .Store will continue to enhance its capabilities, offering predictive analytics, warehouse robotics integration, and automated decision-making features.

Why Choose .Store?

For businesses looking to improve warehouse efficiency, .Store offers a compelling solution:

User-Friendly & Intuitive – Minimal training required.

Seamless System Integration – Works with major ERP, POS, and TMS platforms.

Real-Time Inventory Visibility – Reduce stockouts and overstocking.

Scalable & Flexible – Grows with your business.

Enhanced Automation – AI-powered task management.

Mobile-Optimised – Manage warehouse operations on the go.

Industry-Specific Features – Customisable for retail, FMCG, healthcare, hospitality, and more.

Are you ready to transform your warehouse operations?

Get in touch with Trace Consultants today to discover how .Store can unlock efficiency and drive cost savings for your business. Let’s build a smarter supply chain together!

Related Insights

Technology
October 17, 2024

Soft Automation in Supply Chain: A New Frontier for Efficiency

Soft automation is transforming supply chain operations by automating processes without significant infrastructure changes. Explore how industries such as retail, manufacturing, FMCG, and healthcare can benefit from system-agnostic low-code/no-code tools like Microsoft Power Platform. Find out how Trace Consultants can help organisations implement these solutions to optimise efficiency and performance.

Soft Automation in Supply Chain: A New Frontier for Efficiency

The modern supply chain is under constant pressure to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and increase responsiveness. In this fast-paced environment, automation has become a key enabler of performance improvements. But full-scale automation can be costly, complex, and disruptive to existing systems. Enter soft automation, a more flexible and accessible approach that is reshaping how supply chains across various industries—including retail, manufacturing, FMCG, and healthcare—operate.

Soft automation refers to the use of tools and technologies that allow for the automation of processes without significant infrastructure changes or heavy coding. It focuses on incremental improvements and leverages tools like low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms, such as the Microsoft Power Platform, which offer system-agnostic, scalable solutions.

Soft Automation in Various Industries

1. Retail

In retail, soft automation can play a significant role in optimising inventory management, replenishment processes, and logistics. For example, instead of relying on fully automated robotic systems in warehouses, retailers can use LCNC platforms to automate routine tasks such as stock level monitoring, order generation, and real-time tracking of shipments.

A retailer might use Power Automate (part of the Microsoft Power Platform) to create workflows that trigger replenishment orders when inventory falls below a certain threshold. This not only reduces stockouts but also prevents overstocking, allowing for better cash flow management.

2. Manufacturing

In the manufacturing sector, where complex systems and processes already exist, soft automation can provide a bridge between legacy systems and new technology investments. Manufacturers can automate processes like production scheduling, quality control checks, and machine maintenance alerts without overhauling their entire system.

For example, using Microsoft Power Apps, manufacturers can develop custom apps to track machine performance and trigger preventive maintenance, ensuring that equipment downtime is minimised and production runs smoothly. Soft automation also allows for quicker adaptations to changes in production requirements without the need for complex reprogramming.

3. Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG)

In the FMCG sector, where time-to-market is critical, soft automation allows businesses to be agile without sacrificing quality or speed. Tools like Power BI can automate data collection and reporting, giving FMCG companies real-time insights into sales performance, inventory levels, and distribution efficiency.

By automating demand forecasting and integrating this data with supply planning, FMCG businesses can better anticipate market needs and adjust their production schedules accordingly, reducing the risk of overproduction or stockouts.

4. Healthcare

Healthcare supply chains are notoriously complex, dealing with a wide range of items from pharmaceuticals to medical equipment. Soft automation offers healthcare providers a way to streamline procurement, inventory management, and distribution while ensuring compliance with stringent regulatory requirements.

For instance, Power Automate can be used to set up workflows that track the expiry dates of medical supplies and automatically reorder when necessary. This reduces waste and ensures that critical supplies are always available. In healthcare, where patient care is paramount, the ability to quickly and efficiently manage supplies can directly impact clinical outcomes.

Why Low Code/No Code Solutions are the Future of Supply Chain Automation

One of the key enablers of soft automation is the rise of low-code/no-code (LCNC) platforms, which allow non-technical users to build, customise, and automate workflows with minimal coding expertise. The Microsoft Power Platform is one such tool, offering a suite of applications (Power BI, Power Automate, Power Apps, and Power Virtual Agents) that can be easily integrated into existing supply chain processes.

System and Architecture Agnostic

A major advantage of LCNC platforms like the Microsoft Power Platform is that they are system and architecture agnostic. This means they can be deployed across different software environments, whether you are working with legacy systems or modern ERP solutions. As a result, organisations can implement soft automation without worrying about whether their existing systems will be compatible.

For example, a retailer using an older ERP system can still integrate Power Automate to optimise their procurement process without having to replace the ERP. This flexibility allows companies to gradually introduce automation in a cost-effective manner, addressing immediate needs while building a foundation for future growth.

How Trace Consultants Can Help

At Trace Consultants, we understand the complexity of modern supply chains and the challenges involved in introducing new technologies. We help organisations across retail, manufacturing, FMCG, healthcare, and other industries to implement soft automation strategies that drive efficiency and improve operational performance.

Our approach begins with a comprehensive assessment of your existing systems and processes. From there, we identify opportunities where low-code/no-code solutions can be used to automate routine tasks, enhance visibility, and reduce manual workloads. Whether you're looking to streamline inventory management, optimise logistics operations, or improve forecasting accuracy, Trace Consultants can guide you through every step of the process.

Start Small, Think Big

Soft automation is not about replacing your entire workforce or ripping out your existing infrastructure—it's about making incremental changes that deliver immediate benefits. With the right tools, like Microsoft Power Platform, and the right partner, such as Trace Consultants, your organisation can begin the journey towards a more agile, efficient, and resilient supply chain.

Are you ready to explore the potential of soft automation in your supply chain? Reach out to Trace Consultants today to discover how we can help.

Technology
January 6, 2025

Enhancing Business Performance Through DIFOT: A Strategic Imperative for CEOs and CFOs

Effectively measuring DIFOT is critical for FMCG and manufacturing organisations in ANZ to enhance service levels, reduce costs, and drive efficiency. Discover how Trace Consultants' expertise and low-cost DIFOT tool can transform your supply chain performance.

Enhancing Business Performance Through DIFOT: A Strategic Imperative for CEOs and CFOs

For CEOs and CFOs in the Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) and manufacturing sectors across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), the importance of a robust supply chain cannot be overstated. At the heart of supply chain efficiency lies Delivered in Full, On Time (DIFOT), a critical metric that measures how well suppliers fulfil their delivery commitments.

Effective DIFOT measurement is not just an operational necessity; it’s a strategic lever that directly impacts service levels, production efficiency, operating costs, and waste management. This article highlights the key benefits of focusing on DIFOT, the importance of holding suppliers accountable, and the value of integrating a credit request process to protect margins and unlock competitive advantage.

Why DIFOT Matters to CEOs and CFOs

As strategic leaders, CEOs and CFOs are tasked with balancing growth ambitions, cost optimisation, and customer satisfaction. DIFOT provides a clear and actionable view of how well the supply chain supports these goals. High DIFOT performance means fewer disruptions, stronger financial control, and better customer outcomes. Conversely, poor DIFOT results can erode margins, damage customer trust, and create inefficiencies across operations.

Key Impacts of DIFOT on Business Outcomes

  1. Service Levels and Customer Satisfaction
    • For FMCG businesses, timely and complete deliveries prevent stockouts, ensuring product availability and maintaining consumer trust.
    • Manufacturing firms rely on reliable supply chains to meet production deadlines and deliver quality products to clients on time.
  2. Production Efficiency
    • Delays or incomplete deliveries cause production line stoppages, increasing overhead costs and affecting output.
    • A strong focus on DIFOT enables smoother operations, reducing downtime and boosting productivity.
  3. Cost Optimisation
    • Late or incomplete deliveries often lead to higher logistics costs, such as expedited freight or excess inventory as a buffer.
    • Improved DIFOT reduces these unnecessary expenses, creating a direct impact on EBITDA.
  4. Waste Reduction
    • For FMCG companies, poor delivery performance leads to overstocking or spoilage, while manufacturers risk obsolescence in raw materials.
    • Enhanced DIFOT ensures supply aligns with demand, reducing waste and contributing to sustainability goals.

Holding Suppliers Accountable: A CEO and CFO Priority

In today’s competitive landscape, supplier accountability is critical to ensuring consistent delivery performance. CEOs and CFOs must focus on fostering transparent and data-driven relationships with suppliers to mitigate risks and drive value.

Why Supplier Accountability is Essential

  • Financial Predictability: Poor DIFOT performance creates financial uncertainty, from increased costs to revenue loss. Holding suppliers accountable ensures more predictable cash flows and stable margins.
  • Operational Stability: Reliable suppliers minimise disruptions, allowing CEOs to focus on strategic priorities rather than firefighting supply chain issues.
  • Reputation Management: Failures in the supply chain can tarnish a brand's reputation, particularly in consumer-facing industries like FMCG. Accountability ensures suppliers uphold the same standards as the business.

How to Foster Accountability

  1. Define Clear Metrics: Incorporate DIFOT expectations into contracts to establish measurable standards of performance.
  2. Leverage Technology: Use automated systems to track and report DIFOT in real-time, enabling proactive supplier management.
  3. Incentivise Performance: Reward high-performing suppliers and penalise those who consistently fall short, aligning incentives with business goals.

The Role of a Robust Credit Request Process

When delivery failures occur, they can have immediate financial implications. CEOs and CFOs must ensure a robust credit request process is in place to mitigate these impacts and protect margins. Integrating this process with DIFOT monitoring strengthens supplier accountability and financial control.

Benefits of an Integrated Credit Request Process

  1. Financial Recovery
    • An efficient credit request process ensures businesses can promptly recover costs associated with delivery failures, such as incomplete shipments or late arrivals.
    • Automated credit tracking linked to DIFOT metrics reduces administrative overhead, improving cash flow and financial accuracy.
  2. Supplier Engagement
    • Linking credit claims to DIFOT performance reinforces accountability, pushing suppliers to prioritise timely and complete deliveries.
    • Suppliers become more focused on adhering to performance standards when financial penalties are tied to underperformance.
  3. Data-Driven Insights
    • Capturing credit requests alongside DIFOT data provides CFOs with a comprehensive view of supplier reliability. This information can be leveraged during contract renegotiations or strategic sourcing decisions.

Strategic Steps for CEOs and CFOs to Leverage DIFOT

  1. Implement Advanced Monitoring Systems
    • Invest in technology solutions that provide real-time visibility into DIFOT performance, enabling quick decision-making and response to issues.
    • Automation platforms reduce manual intervention and ensure accurate, timely reporting.
  2. Set Board-Level KPIs
    • Establish DIFOT as a key performance indicator (KPI) for supply chain performance, linking it to broader organisational goals.
    • Ensure the metric is discussed at board meetings to align leadership focus on its impact.
  3. Collaborate with Suppliers for Improvement
    • Use DIFOT data as a starting point for supplier collaboration, identifying improvement opportunities and building long-term partnerships.
    • A collaborative approach reduces friction and fosters innovation in supply chain processes.
  4. Conduct Regular Reviews
    • CEOs and CFOs should mandate regular performance reviews to analyse DIFOT trends, assess supplier performance, and refine strategies.
    • These reviews can uncover systemic issues in supply chain processes, enabling targeted interventions.
  5. Tie DIFOT to Financial Planning
    • CFOs can incorporate DIFOT metrics into financial planning models to better forecast costs, revenue, and working capital needs.
    • For example, high DIFOT rates reduce the need for safety stock, freeing up cash for investment in growth initiatives.

Case Study: DIFOT as a Growth Enabler for an ANZ FMCG Company

A prominent FMCG company in Australia was struggling with poor DIFOT performance from key suppliers, leading to stockouts and customer complaints. By investing in a real-time DIFOT monitoring system and introducing supplier performance incentives, the company achieved the following results:

  • Service Level Gains: Customer satisfaction improved as on-shelf availability rose from 87% to 98%.
  • Cost Reductions: Annual savings of $1.2 million were realised through lower expedited shipping costs and optimised inventory levels.
  • Waste Reduction: Product spoilage decreased by 20%, supporting the company’s sustainability commitments.
  • Financial Impact: Improved DIFOT performance contributed to a 3% increase in EBITDA within 12 months.

This case underscores the value of DIFOT as a tool for achieving both operational and financial excellence.

Looking Ahead: DIFOT as a Strategic Lever for ANZ Businesses

For CEOs and CFOs in the ANZ FMCG and manufacturing sectors, DIFOT represents more than a supply chain metric—it’s a strategic enabler of growth, profitability, and resilience. With the increasing adoption of advanced technologies like predictive analytics, IoT, and blockchain, the ability to monitor and improve DIFOT performance is becoming more sophisticated and impactful.

Future Trends to Watch

  • AI-Driven Optimisation: Predictive analytics will enhance demand forecasting, reducing supply chain disruptions and improving DIFOT performance.
  • Blockchain for Transparency: Blockchain technology will provide end-to-end visibility, ensuring greater accountability across supply chains.
  • Sustainability Integration: Measuring DIFOT alongside environmental metrics will become increasingly important, aligning supply chain performance with broader corporate social responsibility goals.

Final Thoughts: A Call to Action for CEOs and CFOs

For ANZ FMCG and manufacturing businesses, effectively measuring and improving DIFOT is no longer optional—it’s a competitive necessity. CEOs must champion DIFOT as a critical business metric, while CFOs integrate it into financial planning and supplier management strategies. Together, these efforts can drive transformative outcomes across service levels, efficiency, costs, and sustainability.

Is your supply chain delivering on its full potential?

How Trace Consultants Can Help FMCG and Manufacturing Organisations Optimise DIFOT

At Trace Consultants, we specialise in helping organisations across Australia and New Zealand transform their supply chains into strategic assets. Our expertise in supply chain advisory services and cutting-edge tools enables businesses in the FMCG and manufacturing sectors to enhance DIFOT performance, driving tangible improvements in service levels, cost control, and operational efficiency.

Advisory Services to Optimise DIFOT

  1. DIFOT Diagnostics and Performance Improvement
    • We conduct in-depth DIFOT diagnostics to identify performance bottlenecks, uncover root causes, and design tailored strategies for improvement.
    • Our team collaborates closely with your supply chain and procurement teams to develop robust processes, ensuring deliveries are consistently on time and in full.
  2. Supplier Performance Management
    • Trace Consultants helps establish clear performance standards and implement supplier accountability frameworks.
    • Through structured reviews, contract optimisations, and incentive models, we ensure your suppliers align with your business objectives and DIFOT targets.
  3. Integrated Supply Chain Solutions
    • We guide organisations in leveraging technology to integrate DIFOT monitoring into their broader supply chain systems.
    • Our expertise spans system selection, process redesign, and change management, ensuring seamless implementation and adoption.
  4. Sustainability and Waste Reduction
    • By aligning DIFOT improvements with sustainability goals, we help organisations minimise waste, optimise inventory, and reduce their environmental footprint.
    • This approach delivers not only operational efficiency but also enhanced brand reputation in increasingly eco-conscious markets.

Introducing Trace Consultants’ DIFOT Tool: A Low-Cost, Easily Integrated Solution

To further empower FMCG and manufacturing businesses, Trace Consultants has developed a proprietary DIFOT tool, designed to provide a scalable and efficient solution for monitoring and improving delivery performance.

Key Features of the DIFOT Tool

  1. Real-Time Performance Tracking
    • The tool offers real-time visibility into supplier delivery performance, enabling organisations to monitor DIFOT metrics as they happen.
    • This allows for quicker response times and proactive issue resolution.
  2. Ease of Integration
    • Our DIFOT tool is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing systems, including ERP platforms and warehouse management systems, ensuring minimal disruption to operations.
    • This flexibility makes it an ideal solution for both SMEs and large enterprises in FMCG and manufacturing.
  3. Low-Cost Implementation
    • Unlike many high-cost software solutions, the Trace DIFOT tool is an affordable option that delivers immediate ROI through cost savings, improved efficiency, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
  4. Customisable Dashboards and Alerts
    • The tool includes user-friendly dashboards and automated alerts to highlight underperformance and track trends over time, empowering decision-makers with actionable insights.
  5. Credit Request Integration
    • Built-in functionality links DIFOT failures to credit requests, simplifying the claim process and ensuring timely financial recovery.

How Trace Consultants Has Delivered Success

Our DIFOT tool has already proven its value across multiple FMCG and manufacturing organisations in ANZ. Businesses leveraging this solution have reported:

  • Service Level Gains: Improved on-time delivery rates, reducing stockouts and enhancing customer satisfaction.
  • Cost Savings: Lower logistics costs and reduced reliance on expedited freight through improved supplier reliability.
  • Operational Efficiency: Streamlined supply chain processes and better-aligned inventory levels with production and demand needs.
  • Data-Driven Decision-Making: Greater transparency into supplier performance, enabling better sourcing and contract management decisions.

Partnering with Trace Consultants

By combining our industry expertise with innovative technology solutions like the Trace DIFOT tool, we empower organisations to:

  • Strengthen supplier relationships through accountability and transparency.
  • Drive operational excellence and cost efficiencies.
  • Align supply chain performance with broader business goals, including sustainability and profitability.

Are you ready to unlock the full potential of your supply chain? Visit Trace Consultants’ DIFOT Solution to learn how we can help your organisation take control of DIFOT and transform delivery performance into a competitive advantage.

Technology
March 6, 2025

How Trace Consultants Can Transform Your Supply Chain and Procurement Technology in ANZ

Discover how Trace Consultants supports CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, and CTOs in ANZ with supply chain and procurement technology transformation, from current state assessments to implementation and change management.

How Trace Consultants Can Transform Your Supply Chain and Procurement Technology in ANZ

In today’s fast-evolving business landscape, supply chain and procurement functions are no longer just operational necessities—they’re strategic drivers of growth, resilience, and competitive advantage. For CEOs, CFOs, CIOs, and CTOs across Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), the pressure is on to modernise these critical areas with cutting-edge technology. But where do you start? How do you bridge the gap between where you are now and where you need to be? That’s where Trace Consultants steps in.

At Trace Consultants, we specialise in guiding ANZ organisations through supply chain and procurement technology transformation. From assessing your current state and identifying gaps to developing a robust business case, defining functional and non-functional requirements, scoping the market, crafting a go-to-market strategy, and managing implementation and change, we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll walk you through how our expertise can help your organisation unlock value, reduce costs, and future-proof your operations.

The Strategic Imperative for Supply Chain and Procurement Transformation

Before diving into how Trace Consultants can help, let’s set the scene. The ANZ region faces unique challenges—geographical isolation, complex supply chains, and a volatile global market. Add to that the rapid pace of digital disruption, and it’s clear why CEOs are rethinking their supply chain strategies, CFOs are scrutinising procurement spend, CIOs are pushing for tech integration, and CTOs are championing innovation.

Procurement and supply chain technology transformation isn’t just about adopting the latest tools—it’s about aligning your operations with your strategic goals. Whether you’re in mining, retail, healthcare, or manufacturing, optimising these functions can deliver significant cost savings, improve supplier relationships, and enhance resilience against disruptions. But achieving this requires a structured approach, and that’s where Trace Consultants excels.

Step 1: Current State & GAP Assessments – Knowing Where You Stand

The first step in any transformation journey is understanding your starting point. At Trace Consultants, we conduct comprehensive current state and gap assessments to give you a clear picture of your supply chain and procurement operations.

For CEOs, this means gaining visibility into how your supply chain aligns with your broader business strategy. For CFOs, it’s about pinpointing inefficiencies that inflate costs. CIOs benefit from an IT-focused lens that evaluates how your current tech stack supports—or hinders—procurement processes, while CTOs get insights into innovation gaps that could be bridged with emerging technologies like AI or IoT.

Our approach is pragmatic and data-driven. We benchmark your performance against industry standards, assess your processes, and identify risks. For example, we’ve worked with a mining organisation in ANZ to evaluate its supply chain risks, delivering a roadmap to stronger supplier relationships and improved supply continuity—outcomes that directly impact the bottom line.

Step 2: Business Case Development – Justifying the Investment

Once we’ve mapped your current state and gaps, the next challenge is building a compelling business case. This is where CFOs and CEOs sit up and take notice. A technology transformation isn’t cheap, and stakeholders need to see a clear return on investment (ROI).

Trace Consultants collaborates with your leadership team to develop a business case tailored to your organisation’s goals. We quantify the benefits—think cost reductions, efficiency gains, and risk mitigation—and align them with your financial and strategic priorities. For instance, we’ve partnered with a healthcare provider to show how a procurement overhaul could deliver substantial savings while enhancing service delivery, winning buy-in from the C-suite.

Our business cases don’t just focus on numbers; they tell a story. We highlight how technology can transform your supply chain into a competitive advantage, making it easier for CIOs and CTOs to advocate for the necessary IT investments. Whether it’s reducing procurement cycle times or enhancing supply chain visibility, we make the case airtight.

Step 3: Functional Requirements & Non-Functional Requirements Definition – Setting the Foundation

With the business case approved, it’s time to define what your new system needs to do. This is where functional and non-functional requirements come into play, and it’s a critical step for CIOs and CTOs tasked with ensuring technology meets business needs.

Functional requirements outline what the system must do—think streamlined sourcing, real-time inventory tracking, or automated supplier management. Non-functional requirements cover how it should perform, such as scalability, security, and user experience. At Trace Consultants, we bring decades of supply chain and procurement expertise to the table, ensuring these requirements are both practical and forward-thinking.

For example, we’ve collaborated with an ANZ retailer to define requirements for a procurement platform that integrated with their existing SAP system. The result was a solution that improved supplier collaboration and reduced procurement costs. By aligning these requirements with your strategic goals, we set the stage for a technology solution that delivers real value.

Step 4: Market Scoping – Finding the Right Solutions

The tech market is flooded with options—AI-driven analytics, blockchain for traceability, cloud-based procurement platforms. How do you choose what’s right for your organisation? Trace Consultants takes the guesswork out of market scoping.

We analyse the vendor landscape, assess solutions against your defined requirements, and shortlist options that fit your budget and goals. For CIOs and CTOs, this means a tech stack that integrates seamlessly with your existing architecture. For CEOs and CFOs, it’s about ensuring the investment aligns with long-term growth and cost objectives.

The technologies we evaluate span a wide range, each addressing specific supply chain and procurement needs. Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) systems optimise production and inventory planning. Procurement-to-Pay (P2P) platforms streamline the end-to-end purchasing process, from requisition to payment. Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) enhance inventory control and logistics efficiency, while Transportation Management Systems (TMS) improve freight and shipping operations. Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) solutions, like SAP or Oracle, integrate these functions into a cohesive whole, providing real-time data and scalability. Our expertise ensures we match the right tools—whether APS, P2P, WMS, TMS, or ERP—to your unique ANZ context.

Our deep industry knowledge across ANZ sectors like FMCG, manufacturing, and property services ensures we recommend solutions that work in your context. We don’t just hand you a list—we provide insights into implementation feasibility, vendor reliability, and potential ROI, empowering you to make informed decisions.

Step 5: Go to Market – Launching Your Transformation

With the solution selected, it’s time to go to market. This phase is about strategy—how do you position your new procurement or supply chain technology to maximise adoption and impact? Trace Consultants crafts a go-to-market plan that covers everything from stakeholder communication to supplier onboarding.

For CEOs, this means a rollout that aligns with your vision and minimises disruption. CFOs get a plan that optimises spend and tracks ROI from day one. CIOs and CTOs benefit from a technical strategy that ensures smooth integration and scalability. We’ve worked with an ANZ property business where our go-to-market approach reduced service costs while improving asset management.

Our plans are collaborative and tailored, ensuring your internal teams and external partners are on the same page. It’s about setting your transformation up for success from the outset.

Step 6: Implementation – Turning Vision into Reality

Implementation is where the rubber hits the road. Trace Consultants manages the entire process, from deployment to testing, ensuring your new technology delivers as promised. This is a hands-on phase where our project management expertise shines.

For CIOs and CTOs, we handle the technical heavy lifting—integrating with systems like Microsoft 365, Oracle, or Dynamics while minimising downtime. CEOs see a transformation that stays on schedule and within scope, while CFOs appreciate our focus on cost control and value delivery.

For instance, we’ve supported an ANZ manufacturing firm to implement a supply chain platform that shortened lead times, all while keeping the project under budget. Our pragmatic, operational lens ensures solutions are not just theoretical but actionable and impactful.

Step 7: Project Management – Keeping It on Track

A transformation of this scale demands rigorous project management. Trace Consultants brings a structured approach to keep your initiative on time, on budget, and on target. We assign dedicated project managers who act as your single point of contact, coordinating across teams and vendors.

For CEOs, this means peace of mind that your strategic vision is being executed flawlessly. CFOs get transparent reporting on costs and progress, while CIOs and CTOs receive technical oversight that ensures quality and compliance. Our track record speaks for itself—projects delivered with minimal disruption and maximum results.

Step 8: Change Management – Embedding the Transformation

Technology is only as good as the people using it. That’s why change management is a cornerstone of our approach at Trace Consultants. We help your teams adapt to new processes and tools, ensuring adoption and long-term success.

For CEOs and CFOs, this translates to a workforce that drives ROI through efficient operations. CIOs and CTOs benefit from training programs that upskill IT teams to manage and optimise the new systems. We’ve partnered with an ANZ healthcare client where our change management efforts turned a procurement function into a strategic asset.

Our change management strategies are tailored to your culture and goals, blending training, communication, and support to minimise resistance and maximise impact.

Why Choose Trace Consultants?

So, why partner with Trace Consultants for your supply chain and procurement technology transformation? It’s simple: we bring a unique blend of expertise, pragmatism, and ANZ-specific insight. Our team has decades of experience across industries, from mining to retail, and we understand the challenges you face in this region.

We’re not just consultants—we’re collaborators. We work alongside your C-suite to deliver results that matter: cost savings, operational efficiency, and strategic growth. Whether you’re a CEO looking to future-proof your supply chain, a CFO aiming to optimise spend, a CIO integrating tech stacks, or a CTO driving innovation, we’ve got the tools and know-how to make it happen.

The Road Ahead: Start Your Transformation Today

The time for supply chain and procurement transformation is now. In an era of disruption and opportunity, ANZ organisations can’t afford to lag behind. Trace Consultants is here to guide you through every step—from assessing your current state to embedding lasting change.

Ready to unlock the full potential of your supply chain and procurement functions? Contact Trace Consultants today to start your journey. Let’s build a future where your operations aren’t just efficient—they’re exceptional.