
BreadTalk Group inks technology JV with ADERA
The company looks to further digitalise its food and beverage portfolio.
BreadTalk Group has established a joint venture with ADERA AI Pte. Ltd. to develop tech-led solutions for small and medium enterprises.
Specifically, the collaboration aims to develop digital tools that offer data analytics, enhance operational efficiency and data-driven decision methodology on issues such as inventory, payments and customer acquisitions; create a scalable omni-channel platform to enhance outreach to customers via new sales channels, integrating operations, incorporating digital payments, facial recognition and designing a cohesive user experience for end-customers, and, establish blockchain-based supply chain financing platform with digitalised processes and document automation.
Such solutions will be rolled out across BreadTalk Group’s F&B establishments by the first quarter of 2021, serving as proof-of-concepts before adapting them to other industries.
Under the joint venture, ADERA said it will provide its “knowhow, capabilities and experience in key areas such as digital automation, facial recognition, digital identity, digital payments and artificial intelligence”, whilst BreadTalk Group will contribute its “technical and operational experience.”
“There are vast, untapped opportunities in the areas of digitalisation within the Group and the F&B industry. Our diverse multi-brand operating environment with international presence provides an ideal platform for proof-of-concepts,” BreadTalk Group chief operating officer William Cheng said in a statement.
“Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, technology has become an essential tool to overcome operational challenges and enhance business agility,” added ADERA chairman Lennon Tan.
“With BreadTalk Group’s established F&B business presence across 17 territories, it will provide significant opportunities for us to introduce and deploy our fintech and digital solutions to improve business operations and customers’ engagement, leading to more proofs-of-concept and accelerating mainstream adoption of our technology innovations.”