Microsoft, Seeloz in AI-powered supply chain deal

• MoU to support Malaysia’s supply chain ecosystem
• Introduces supply chain automation suite powered by Azure

Microsoft Malaysia and Silicon Valley-based Seeloz Inc (Seeloz) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the Malaysian supply chain ecosystem with artificial intelligence (AI) technology,

In a statement, both companies said the deal is aimed at enhancing the major strategic sectors in Malaysia including manufacturing, oil and gas, utilities, palm oil and public services.

Microsfot said the MoU will see the introduction of Seeloz’s supply chain automation suite (SCAS) powered by Microsoft Azure in the Malaysian and Asia Pacific markets. 

Seeloz’s founder and chief executive officer (CEO), Dr Mohamed Aly, noted that innovation is crucial to businesses growth and resilience, especially in the supply chain management in the digital era.

“Adopting a perspective of creating tailored vertical-specific solutions is paramount to us at Seeloz, as we focus on infusing cutting edge technology into businesses through SCAS,” he said.

“By partnering with Microsoft, we are able to tap into the power of Azure and empower Malaysian enterprises and organisations to survive the challenging economic climate and expand into the regional market via the digital economy,” he said.

The partnership will also see Seeloz working closely with Microsoft to upskill Malaysians and ensure that the nation’s talent is equipped to fully leverage the new solutions being introduced, Microsoft said.

As part of the MoU, Seeloz will conduct AI and supply chain training programs in partnership with the Malaysian government.

Microsoft will also conduct accelerator workshops and hands-on labs, whilst supplementing Seeloz’s training programs with materials on cloud, data and AI.

Seeloz introduced SCAS as the world’s first autonomous requirements planning (ARP), redefining supply chain planning using AI, it said.

It claimed that its technology is proven to reduce inventory carrying costs by up to 40%, reduce supply chain management costs by up to 25%, and substantially boost operational efficiency in over twenty industry verticals.

This makes it essential to the future of every sector involving the management of complex supply chains, in general, and for Malaysia to not only remain competitive but to pull ahead across the Asean regional market, it added.

“The pandemic and its reverberating effects have warped traditional methods of supply chain management within manufacturing industries across Malaysia, and in the region,” said K Raman, managing director of Microsoft Malaysia. 

“To this end, it is essential to the long-term sustainability of any business operating in the manufacturing sector to augment their supply chain using new technologies such as AI and automation, to gain the flexibility and scalability required to thrive in the future,” he added.

Supply chains are a key part of Malaysia's digital transformation journey, with the nation being home to two of the top five ports in Southeast Asia and manufacturing being one of the key pillars of the nation’s economy.