Asda online unit identifies e-commerce solution

To help manage its rapidly growing e-commerce business, Walmart’s Asda division in the United Kingdom has selected multiple components of Manhattan Associates supply chain solutions portfolio known as SCOPE.



Asda Direct, the retailer’s general merchandise ecommerce operation, will deploy the supply chain solutions within several distribution centers across the United Kingdom and leverage the Manhattan Associates Supply Chain Process Platform.



“What we needed was a supply chain technology platform that would allow us to continue along the growth trajectory we've experienced in recent years,” said Paul Anastasiou, head of distribution for new business at Asda direct. “We also wanted a systems platform that would allow us to enhance the overall efficiency of our distribution processes and offer complete visibility of inventory throughout our operation. Finally we wanted a supply chain technology platform that could integrate with our core systems and support our growth and range expansion goals.”



Anastasiou said Asda chose Manhattan Associates because its systems met all of these requirements and the company’s people displayed an understanding of the Asda organization’s business challenges. The Manhattan technology will support a range of ordering and delivery options, which will extend as the deployment project progresses.



Asda Direct offers a wide range of general merchandise goods including electrical appliances, clothing, home furniture, toys, home entertainment products, garden and outdoor equipment and baby items. The business has experienced rapid growth in the four years since it was launched and further growth is expected in terms of sales and expansion of the product range, according to the company.



“While we will initially focus on deploying Manhattan's Warehouse Management solution, the potential to implement additional, complementary, solutions from the Manhattan product suite, and what that gives us in terms of future flexibility and adaptability, was a big appeal to us,” said Rob Wilks, distribution systems manager.