ASOS enhances OPEX with Gen AI, process firms make Forbes Cloud 100 2024 & more – PEX Community News

PEX Network’s weekly news bulletin rounds up the latest from the process community including operational excellence, digital transformation, business process management (BPM), process mining, artificial intelligence (AI) and much more.

This week includes:

• ASOS partners with Microsoft to drive AI-enhanced operational excellence
• Business process improvement firms make Forbes Cloud 100 2024 list
• T. Rowe Price eyes significant digital transformation
• Metro Water Recovery recognized for operational excellence
• UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory strives towards digital transformation
• Seatrium “laser focused” on operational excellence
• Norfolk Southern appoints new transportation leaders to accelerate operational excellence

ASOS partners with Microsoft to drive AI-enhanced operational excellence

Online retail giant ASOS has partnered with Microsoft to drive forward its commitment to operational excellence, efficiency and data-driven decision-making through AI. “A core part of our business strategy is driving operational excellence within ASOS: Making sure we’re as fast, efficient and effective as we can be, and investing our time and resources in the projects that matter,” said Victoria Arden, director of technology operations at ASOS. “Under this new agreement, we’re helping ASOSers safely experiment with generative AI tools that can remove ‘busy work’ from their day, freeing them up to unlock greater creativity and insights and focus on delighting our customers.”

ASOS has been an early adopter of AI and is using it in many innovative ways, such as delivering personalized shopping experiences [image above] through AI fashion stylists, added Olaf Akkerman, general manager, retail and consumer goods industry at Microsoft UK. “This renewed commitment will bring huge productivity gains, freeing up time so that ASOS employees can focus on new, data-driven ways to better serve customers.”

Business process improvement firms make Forbes Cloud 100 2024 list

Process improvement companies Celonis and Automation Anywhere featured in the Forbes Cloud 100 list 2024, positioned at number 13 and 45, respectively. The annual Forbes Cloud 100 ranks the top private cloud computing companies for technological innovation, business growth and high caliber leadership. Process mining and process intelligence provider Celonis is valued at US $13 billion, while robotic process automation (RPA) software vendor Automation Anywhere is valued at $7.3 billion, according to Forbes.

“With the tech IPO market stuck in the doldrums, familiar faces rule the top of our 9^th annual list of the world’s top private cloud computing companies, but a wave of AI challengers – and standouts in FinTech, security and vertical software – are looking to close the gap,” wrote Forbes reporters.

T. Rowe Price eyes significant digital transformation

T. Rowe Price, a global investment management firm and a leader in retirement services, is seeking to transform its global digital footprint through a refreshed global design system and digital properties. The system, created in partnership with transformation company Code and Theory, will function as a comprehensive framework of reusable design components, guidelines and standards that maintain a consistent and cohesive user experience across T. Rowe Price’s digital properties, reported Adweek. Code and Theory will reimagine the design system to drive alignment across global teams, streamline design and development processes, ensure brand consistency, and enhance efficiency and scalability, it added.

“The best way to support our clients is to continually evolve and improve our digital experience. This refresh will put the client front and center as we look to exceed their expectations with the latest technological innovations available,” commented Theresa McLaughlin, head of global marketing and digital transformation at T. Rowe Price.

Metro Water Recovery recognized for operational excellence

Metro Water Recovery received national recognition for its continued operational excellence. Metro is the largest resource recovery and clean water agency in the Rocky Mountain West, serving approximately 2.2 million people in an 817 square-mile area. It received a Platinum Peak Performance Award from the National Association of Clean Water Agencies for 100 percent permit compliance for five consecutive years at its Robert W. Hite Treatment Facility in Denver. The award recognizes excellence in wastewater treatment.

“Receiving this award is a significant achievement, and Metro is grateful to all of our employees for continually doing the dedicated work to make it possible,” said Liam Cavanaugh, chief operating officer (COO) at Metro Water Recovery. “Metro remains committed to consistently protecting the region’s health and environment by cleaning water and recovering resources.”

UK Defence Science and Technology Laboratory strives towards digital transformation

The UK’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence (MOD), announced a new agreement with Capgemini to help it deliver its transformative digital strategy and vision. Capgemini will support the Dstl in improving end user experience, service delivery and responsiveness, according to a press release.

“We are really excited to be collaborating with Capgemini as we enter a new era of IT service provision at Dstl,” said David English, COO at Dstl. “The new contract will provide better support for the many demands of our science and technology projects and deliver better ‘value for money’ outcomes. Our collaboration with Capgemini will help Dstl to deliver the high impact science and technology projects that secure the future needs of UK defense and national security.”

Seatrium “laser focused” on operational excellence

Global offshore, marine and energy engineering solutions company Seatrium Limited is “laser focused” on operational excellence, according to CEO Chris Ong. Ong’s comments came as he spoke to CNBC to reflect of the firm’s recently published 1H 2024 financial results.

Seatrium returned to profitability in the half year ended 2024, the first time since its formation in 2023. It recorded a revenue of SGD $4.0 billion for 1H 2024 (just over US $3 billion), a notable 39 percent growth compared to 1H 2023, mainly due to progressive revenue recognition from newbuild projects and increased repairs and upgrades activities.

“We are pleased to deliver a stronger set of financial results, achieving profitability in 1H 2024,” said Ong. “The team has been working hard as One Seatrium, prioritizing integration, project execution and operational efficiency. We are achieving synergies and making good progress in our transformation journey. As we work towards our 2028 targets, we will continue to grow our order book, build a leaner cost structure and execute our projects well.”

Norfolk Southern appoints new transportation leaders to accelerate operational excellence

US freight transportation company Norfolk Southern Corporation appointed three industry veterans to lead its transportation team and accelerate operation excellence. Tim Livingston joins as SVP transportation and network operations, Rodney Moore, as VP transportation for the Northern region and Dewayne Swindall as VP transportation for the Southern region. The new leadership structure will bolster operational improvements throughout the company’s network and will also place leaders closer to field operations, according to a press release.

“In the first half of this year, we have made measurable progress on safety and productivity,” said John Orr, COO at Norfolk Southern. “I am pleased to bring together Tim, Rodney and Dewayne as the right leaders to help us maintain meaningful momentum and make our progress sustainable. Their roles are crucial in our journey to be the gold standard of safety and execute our operational plan with excellence while being intentional about fostering a strong culture.”

The key to revenue growth, productivity gains, and operational excellence

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