Introduction

FedEx and Microsoft have joined hands and entered a new multi-year collaboration on May 18th, 2020. This partnership will help ‘transform commerce’ by combining the global digital and logistics network of FedEx and intelligent cloud by Microsoft. The first service from the companies, FedEx Surround, allows organizations in tracking their supply chain. Now, let us try to understand what FedEx Surround is.

About FedEx Surround

FedEx Surround, according to the companies, is a driving digital illumination of the physical world. The FedEx network links more than 99% of the world’s gross domestic product across 220 countries. Azure, Microsoft’s cloud computing service, is trusted by more than 95% of Fortune 500 companies. The solution will collect data through FedEx’s IoT technology and analyze it through Microsoft’s broad suite of AI. The solution allows businesses to enhance their supply chain by leveraging data and near-real-time analytics into shipment tracking. It will also help predict issues that might affect delivery, such as clearance issues and weather conditions. 

Mr Frederick W. Smith, chairman and CEO of FedEx said that they have been reimagining the supply chain since the first day of operation, & they are taking it to a new level with the announcement about their collaboration with Microsoft.  He added that together with Microsoft, they aim to combine the power of technology with the vast scale of FedEx’s tracking infrastructure to help revolutionize commerce and create a network for what’s next for their customers.

Any company with a supply chain will be benefitted by FedEx Surround. Companies with highly time-sensitive deliveries will be particularly benefited. For example, if a hospital needs a piece of equipment to save a life or a machine part has to reach a manufacturing unit in a specific time frame. FedEx Surround will be available later this year for customers to access.

See Also: Walgreens Partners with FedEx to Accept Online Returns

FedEx and Amazon Rivalry

The full or true nature of the partnership has not been disclosed, including how much FedEx will be paying Microsoft to use its Azure cloud technology. FedEx announced last year that it would end its ground delivery contract with Amazon. The partnership might represent yet another example of Amazon rivals choosing to go ahead with Microsoft’s cloud technology over the Amazon Web Services (AWS). FedEx and Amazon have been in competition with each other as Amazon invests greatly in building its own seamless shipping network. 

All the necessary information regarding FedEx Surround availability will be shared by the companies soon and customer access will be rolled out in the months ahead. FedEx Surround isn’t the only solution that will be a result of this collaboration. Other solutions that are a part of the collaboration will be revealed in the following months. 

Conclusion

The collaboration between FedEx and Microsoft is poised to revolutionize supply chain management by combining FedEx’s extensive logistics network with Microsoft’s advanced cloud and AI technology. FedEx Surround is a key service that will enhance visibility and predictive capabilities for businesses, helping them optimize their supply chains. The solution is designed to address time-sensitive deliveries and provide near-real-time tracking insights to improve decision-making. As the companies continue to roll out additional services, this partnership promises to offer significant advancements in how businesses manage their logistics operations. FedEx Surround and future solutions from this collaboration could change the landscape of global commerce and supply chains.

FAQs

  1. What is FedEx Surround?
    FedEx Surround is a digital solution that leverages FedEx’s global logistics network and Microsoft’s cloud technology to provide real-time shipment tracking, predictive analytics, and supply chain optimization.
  2. How does FedEx Surround benefit businesses?
    Businesses can use FedEx Surround to enhance visibility into their supply chain, predict delivery issues such as weather or clearance delays, and improve efficiency for time-sensitive shipments.
  3. Who will benefit from FedEx Surround?
    Any business with a supply chain, especially those with critical, time-sensitive deliveries, will benefit from the solution, such as hospitals or manufacturing units needing urgent shipments.
  4. How does the FedEx and Amazon rivalry play into this partnership?
    FedEx’s collaboration with Microsoft for its cloud services may be a strategic move, especially considering FedEx’s decision to end its ground delivery contract with Amazon, a direct competitor to FedEx.
  5. When will FedEx Surround be available?
    FedEx Surround is expected to be available later this year, with more details on customer access to be shared in the coming months.

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