Supply chains across Australia are under pressure. While many businesses grapple with rising costs, shifting demand, and regulatory requirements, some of the country’s biggest brands are quietly doing things differently – turning complexity into a competitive advantage.
Not by spending more or defaulting to off-the-shelf tech, but by stepping back and taking a strategic approach to supply chain optimisation – one that delivers results beyond cost savings.
Driving change: The risks of poor software decisions
“Software has moved from an IT decision to a business-critical investment,” says Claire Bull, Director of Technology, Innovation & Sustainability at independent supply chain consultants Extolla. “Yet too often, those decisions are made with limited information, internal bias, or vendor pressure.”
With automation, AI, and carbon emissions reporting now embedded in operations – and many businesses still working with outdated systems and disconnected technology – the risk of a poor system selection is growing, leading to a noticeable shift.
Extolla reports increasing demand from businesses seeking objective advice across the full spectrum of supply chain software, from Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Robotic Process Automation (RPA) to data-driven carbon tracking tools – realising that a suboptimal selection can have severe operational and cost impacts.
Extolla takes an agnostic approach to these challenges. Their Consult-Implement-Operate model starts by understanding an organisation’s goals and how technology can support them – not the other way around – ensuring compatibility with existing infrastructure and long-term scalability.
Results beyond software
This approach proved critical in a recent supply chain transformation for a leading Australian retailer. Working with Extolla, the business achieved significant cost savings, reduced emissions, and improved operational performance.
The project’s success was due to a focus on long-term value and future readiness for business growth – not just new software implementation.
“Our recent projects reflect a broader change across the industry in how companies approach optimisation,” says Claire. “The software is just one aspect. What really matters is the thinking behind it. That’s what turns a system into a solution.”
Expert support: The key to reshaping supply chains
Extolla’s role typically begins well before a shortlist is drawn up – assessing current systems, identifying capability gaps, and planning for integration before guiding implementation, training, and performance.
However, the shift from thinking ‘we need a new piece of software’ to ‘we need to undergo a tech selection process’ is a critical step, as it ensures that all eventualities and scenarios can be planned for, risks can be assessed, and opportunities realised before any vendors are even engaged.
“With the complexity of modern supply chains, the stakes are too high for guesswork,” says Claire. “With the right strategy and systems, supply chains can unlock enormous value. The most successful brands know this. They don’t just buy software and technology – they ask the right questions, make informed, long-term decisions, and get expert help to do so.”
For supply chain insights and a smarter start to optimisation, visit extolla.com.