Asda future-proofs its supply chain with Ideagen

For a major retailer like Asda, managing a vast and complex supply chain presents significant hurdles. Before implementing new technology, the process for gathering information from suppliers was slow and inefficient. It involved sending out requests, waiting for responses, and then manually collating the data. This entire cycle could take several days, creating delays and reducing the company's ability to react swiftly to supply chain issues.

Moving from manual, time-consuming processes to automated solutions

Stuart Smith, Asda's Supply Chain Transparency Manager, explains why Asda choose Ideagen Supply Chain (formaly Authenticate) to help Asda to gain real-time visibility and move faster in a crisis.

The challenge

The challenges facing the supply chain are constantly changing. They can be driven by weather events, the risk of fraud, or sudden price fluctuations. Without a clear and immediate understanding of where products originate, it was difficult to anticipate and manage these disruptions effectively. The business needed a way to gain real-time visibility and move faster in a crisis.

The solution

To address these challenges, Asda implemented Ideagen Supply Chain, a powerful transparency platform. This solution centralized supply chain data, enabling the team to search for information much more efficiently and quickly. Instead of taking days to gather data, the team can now access it almost instantly, right at the push of a button.

Embedding the software across a large and complex network of suppliers required a significant effort, including clear communication and policy changes to drive adoption. Throughout this process, Asda received fantastic support from the Ideagen team. This support included user guidance, webinars, and dedicated training, which were instrumental in helping drive the initiative forward and ensuring a successful implementation.

The results

The biggest benefit Asda has realized since introducing Ideagen Supply Chain is a dramatic increase in speed and agility. In a crisis, the team can now move much faster than was previously possible, significantly improving their response capabilities.

This efficiency was highlighted during a recent incident. The Supply Chain Transparency Manager was able to run a report in just five minutes to establish which products might be impacted. Analyzing the detailed data took only a couple of hours, a process that would have been far more time-consuming in the past. This ability to quickly access and act on information has become a critical advantage.

Looking to the future, Asda sees the potential for even greater efficiency by integrating AI, which could extract key details from data instantly and further enhance their decision-making process. The implementation of Ideagen Supply Chain has provided a robust foundation for building a more resilient and transparent supply chain.

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company overview

About Asda

Asda is one of the United Kingdom's leading retailers, serving millions of customers every week. Founded in the 1960s, the company has grown to include a vast network of superstores, supermarkets, and petrol filling stations across the country. Known for its commitment to providing value to its customers, Asda offers a wide range of products, including fresh groceries, clothing, and general merchandise.

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