QR Retail Automation (Asia) Sdn Bhd
Streamlining Retail Operations through Comprehensive Automation Solutions

Retailers are venturing beyond their core offerings to construct vibrant ecosystems across non-food marketplaces, pharmacy retail, financial services, and other sectors. They are leveraging automation systems to engage customers and amplify value for stakeholders.

For many global retailers, distributors, and manufacturers focusing on retail merchandising and innovation, QR Retail Automation (Asia) Sdn Bhd wholly-owned subsidiary of Silverlake Axis Limited, has become the go-to destination for retail automation. With its AgoraCloud platform, the firm provides end-to-end functionalities.

The AgoraCloud suite, certified by Amazon Web Services (AWS), gives them high performance, scalability, resilience, and security. It includes merchandising and material management features, omnichannel support, a supplier collaboration portal, a handheld terminal, and business intelligence.

“Our solution encompasses front-end at the store, back-end at headquarters, and seamless collaboration with suppliers and omnichannel outlets. It takes care of all the technology needs of a franchise, freeing them from depending on multiple vendors,” says Yee Ming, CEO of QR Retail Automation.

QR Retail Automation’s AgoraCloud Suite is especially beneficial for clients lacking existing infrastructure. The comprehensive package features a dedicated point-of-sale solution for front-end needs. Alternatively, if customers have existing point-of-sale or accounting systems but need merchandising and material management capabilities, they can simply purchase that module from that larger suite.

One key feature of QR Retail Automation is autoreplenishment, which is adaptable to each customer’s operational rules. It handles various conditions for stockkeeping units (SKUs) and supports inventory replenishment and ordering needs, optimizing inventory management and overall operations.

The inventory control system provides centralized management and near-real-time updates for goods movement, including store-to-store transfers, sales tracking, digitalized invoicing, and credit note management. These features strengthen financial transactions in retail operations.

AgoraCloud also includes a merchandising material management module for retail subsegments like pharmacy chains, supermarkets, and convenience stores. It handles functions from purchase order management to procurement, along with bundling and debundling processes on top of the various features.

These capabilities result from QR Retail Automation’s three decades of commitment to the retail sector. Unlike businesses that diversify into various industries, it focuses only on retail. This allows for utmost customization and precise alignment of solutions to customer requirements, from specialized features to unique specifications.

The omni-channel module establishes seamless connections with web stores, popular marketplaces (e.g., Lazada, Shopee), and social media platforms (TikTok, Facebook, Instagram). It streamlines marketplace operations, reduces manual data retrieval, integrates with delivery companies, and enhances operational efficiency and customer experience.
To maintain connections between retailers and suppliers, AgoraCloud offers a supplier collaboration modulethat centralizes information such as purchase orders, invoices, and payment details. It also has an embedded finance feature connecting retailers with banks for factoring payment options.

All these capabilities are developed considering the market trends and economic conditions. Using proprietary intellectual property, the company evolved from its initial product, Profit. Written in Pro-IV, Profit manages various aspects of retail chains, including merchandising and interfacing with third-party systems.

Whereas AgoraCloud is the modern cloud-based counterpart of Profit, it shares a common legacy and core functionalities but differs in deployment methods. Profit remains on-premises, while AgoraCloud operates in the cloud. A Lite version is also in development to assist SMEs with limited infrastructure at a competitive price point.

QR Retail Automation’s capabilities are attested by Alpro Pharmacy, a Malaysian pharmacy chain. The pharmacy chain implemented merchandising and material management module in 2021, expanding to omnichannel, supplier collaboration, and customer loyalty modules. During the COVID-19pandemic, Alpro Pharmacy’s revenue surged, with online sales potentially quadrupling. The solutions reduced costs amid labor shortages, ensuring reliable medication supply and enhancing lastmile delivery. It also reduced operating costs, and improved online fulfillment times by 80 percent, enhancing inventory management and delivery.

Catering to the ‘pick and go’ trend, the firm is developing smaller-scale unmanned stores with AI-integrated smart vending machines. Registered members with validated payment gateways, like E-Wallets, can scan their E-Wallets to access its contents. It offers flexibility for item selection and returns, with automatic deductions for a convenient shopping experience.

Such successes are the cornerstones of the company’s expansion in ASEAN countries such as Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, and Vietnam. It is actively seeking alliance partners to represent QR Retail in these markets. With its commitment to customization, efficiency, and market responsiveness QR Retail Automation remains a steadfast partner in the retail industry, offering tailored, efficient, and innovative solutions through AgoraCloud.