BT launches cloud services for BT Trace platform

BT says it has implemented cloud-based capabilities for BT Trace, its supply chain software designed to help organisations overcome the challenges of managing increasingly complex global supply chains.

The new cloud system provides "a single, accurate view into complex supply chains in near real time", according to the company, which says the platform can allow companies "to see how and where changes need to be made … to improve operational efficiency".
 
BT Trace is designed to help companies deal with multiple supply chain issues, including counterfeiting, shrinkage, product recalls and maintaining the integrity of perishable goods, as well as keeping a lid on inventory and on-shelf availability.

The new cloud service securely collects, stores, shares and interprets high volume event data about goods and assets moving along an extended global supply chain, and processes the information from resource planning and IT systems used by companies and their suppliers to provide a single view of the entire supply chain through a web portal.

The issues affect companies across a wide swathe of industrial sectors, including consumer packaged goods, logistics, manufacturing, pharma or retail, according to BT, which said the platform has already been tested by logistics company TNT Express.

TNT Express used the system to manage its order, delivery and returns process - with automated notifications when problems occurred - and said the system cut its manual data entry and processing time by around 36 hours a week. Freeing up staff capacity meant that delivery times were improved by around 16 per cent.

"Supply chain visibility is a challenge for those companies because of the multiplicity of formats, sources and partners that collect data," said the company.

"All too often, their various resource planning and backend systems are not even connected. BT Trace helps companies respond to those critical challenges," it added.