Coles to modernise workflow with Microsoft cloud technology

Coles has extended its strategic partnership with Microsoft and developed a roadmap for the latest phase of its digital journey that will change the way its team members interact with each other and the company.

Coles’s Team Member Engagement Platform will be a richly featured, simple-to-use solution built using Microsoft 365 that allows people to streamline everything from managing their rosters and swapping shifts to accessing payslips or procedure manuals. The platform will also help Coles cascade important information to all team members and provide a single source of information about products and processes.

Kevin Gunn, Coles Executive General Manager of Central Operations and Transformation, said the retailer worked with Microsoft to develop a new platform that will provide a simple and secure way to connect, swap shifts, check payslips, and access internal communications, procedures and training solutions. “Coles has been extremely proud of the commitment from our team members during the pandemic, continuing their roles as an essential service to support our customers and ensuring we continued to sustainably feed all Australians,” said Gunn.

The platform is intended to foster a more connected culture that bolsters team member engagement and enhances customer experience and satisfaction. Designed to enhance both corporate and peer-to-pear connections, the platform will bolster communications to and between team members, simplify information access through a team member portal, drive smarter scheduling across the business and streamline team member training.

The extension of this partnership between Coles and Microsoft builds on the digital innovation undertaken by Coles, leveraging cloud and modern architectures to drive improvement across its store network and supply chain, to optimise customer experiences. Steven Worrall, Managing Director of Microsoft Australia & New Zealand, said this initiative will simplify team members’ lives and ensure everyone has access to the information they need to do their job when and where they need it.

“Azure and Teams are delivering significant benefits already to Coles and this roadmap points the way to a streamlined modern workplace benefiting all team members, ensuring they have all they need to deliver exceptional customer value,” said Worrall.

Image credit: ©stock.adobe.com/au/Piman Khrutmuang