Asda signs landmark AI and cloud deal with Microsoft
Asda has unveiled a major new technology collaboration with Microsoft, marking one of the largest cloud and AI agreements in the UK retail sector.
The deal, announced today (22 September), will see Microsoft Azure established as the supermarket’s primary cloud platform, accelerating its shift to a “cloud-first” operating model.
The grocer will use Microsoft Azure as its core digital backbone, supported by tools such as Fabric, Databricks and Copilot Studio in a bid to ramp up productivity and deliver more personalised shopping experiences.
It is understood that Asda colleagues will also benefit from Microsoft’s Digital Skills Initiative, giving staff the training to adapt to the increasingly digital workplace.
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Asda chief digital officer Matt Kelleher said: “We’re thrilled to take our collaboration with Microsoft to the next level as we accelerate towards becoming a more agile, cloud-first business.
“With the very best cloud and AI tools at our fingertips, this technology will boost productivity, help us to make better decisions, and simplify how we work – enabling us to continue delivering great value and service to our customers.”
Microsoft UK and Ireland CEO Darren Hardman: “This collaboration with Asda exemplifies how cloud and AI technologies can transform retail at scale.
“By integrating Microsoft Azure’s advanced capabilities, Asda is modernising its operations, empowering its colleagues, and enhancing customer experiences. We’re proud to support Asda in its journey to become an agile, cloud-first, AI-driven business.”
The agreement builds on a commercial relationship first signed in 2022 and includes a joint investment fund to integrate new technologies across Asda’s operations.
11 Comments. Leave new
Have asda really got the money for this? Surely this sort of technology just makes it easier for hackers to cause havoc? Training? What’s that? No training has been given in years!
Brilliant. New this and new that. You have just advised 98% of our on-line order is not available. Been useless since you upgraded your website.
Should they not have figured that out that start of Project Future? Feels like this horse bolted some time ago.
Why are they wasting money on cr@p like this? Surely they should get things like aisle planning correct, deliveries that arrive inside the allotted time, and stop expecting a shop to be landed under to budget. Asda is a multi-billion pound company and can’t get simple things like paying colleagues for their actual hours worked! This feels like a massive waste of money on another thing that colleagues 100% don’t care about!
Asda is the worst supermarket ever imo poorly stocked shelves assistants blocking the isles constantly and very poor service from the staff, much prefer Aldi or Morrisons.
They need to get rid of the Manhattan system in distribution. Absolute shambles. They’ve spent hundreds of millions on it and it just doesn’t work.
I’m pretty sure Walmart would have licensed them the GDS system that they were using for way less expense.
Customers decide on the success of any business
Absolutely agree with comment from Neil & could 8 add that Asda your stores are dirty untidy difficult to navigate and your staff ( not all ) are poor to say the least from my previous experiences in-store ( not shopped at Asda for a year for reasons above and not likely to go back – M&S shining example of how to do all things retail including Customer Services) good luck Alan Leighton you will need large amounts ….I like your former colleague Archie Norman who funnily enough is the same job role as you at M&S
Rob
It’s a crappy sytem does not do wat it’s meant to do.project future did not do good . Crap
Their heads are in the clouds!
….whoops….big mistake…. should have used Google Android…🤔