The new cross-platform solution is designed to enable brands to access new information and capabilities for better fulfilment, shipping, and service of customer orders while seamlessly integrating with their existing e-commerce platforms

FedExOfficeMarkham

FedEx and Microsoft develop new cross-platform logistics solution for e-commerce. (Credit: Raysonho @ Open Grid Scheduler / Grid Engine / Wikimedia Commons)

FedEx and Microsoft have unveiled a new cross-platform logistics solution for e-commerce as part of their multi-year collaboration aimed at the transformation of commerce, supply chains, and logistics.

The new cross-platform logistics-as-a-service will cater to retailers, merchants, and brands by bringing together the network intelligence of FedEx and the capabilities from Microsoft Dynamics 365. It is claimed to be a unique data integration that combines data insights from FedEx with Dynamics 365 Intelligent Order Management.

The combination is expected to enable brands in accessing new information and capabilities for better fulfilment, shipping, and service of customer orders while integrating seamlessly with their existing e-commerce platforms.

Dynamics 365 Intelligent Order Management is said to create an omnichannel order management application by tapping data and artificial intelligence (AI).

It integrates with existing enterprise resource planning (ERP) and customer relationship management (CRM) systems and can use an ecosystem of other order source systems like mobile apps, online e-commerce marketplaces, and social commerce along with conventional ordering channels such as brick and mortar point-of-sale or electronic data interchange (EDI).

FedEx data integration with Dynamics 365 Intelligent Order Management is anticipated to be available to customers across the US in the latter half of this year.

The partners are said to leverage artificial intelligence, machine learning, and other tools to extrapolate new insights from the packages that daily pass via FedEx’s network to help brands provide enhanced customer experiences.

Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said: “More than ever, it’s clear just how critical having a resilient supply chain is for every organisation’s success in the modern economy.

“We’re bringing data and insights from the FedEx network together with the Microsoft Cloud, starting with Dynamics 365, to help organisations accelerate their digital transformation across their business operations so they can offer customers more integrated ways to shop, and faster, more efficient deliveries.”

According to the partners, brands by using the cross-platform approach can deliver provide their customers with quicker, more cost-effective delivery, delivery status communications in near real-time, and convenient, hassle-free returns with nearly 60,000 drop-off locations and printerless QR codes.

The partners claimed that the new cross-platform logistics solution helps brands to ensure cost-effective fulfilment and cut down expensive customer service calls.

Furthermore, the new solution is said to give scope to utilise existing systems of record, streamline fulfilment, and deliver on their order promises with greater precision, while having a more comprehensive view of their customer.

FedEx president and COO Raj Subramaniam said: “Nearly two years ago we set out on a mission with Microsoft to transform the commerce ecosystem. In that time, we’ve made significant progress, leveraging Microsoft Azure technology with our FedEx Surround solution, which provides critical support in enabling advanced monitoring of time-sensitive priority shipments.

“This next phase of our collaboration will continue to connect the unmatched supply chain insights from the FedEx network with the Microsoft Cloud to improve e-commerce experiences for brands, merchants and consumers.”

Apart from its collaboration with Microsoft, FedEx had forged a multi-year partnership with Salesforce in late 2021 to transform e-commerce services.