BIG Caring Group, one of Malaysia’s largest retail pharmacy chains, is embarking on a major digital transformation initiative by adopting RISE with SAP on Amazon Web Services (AWS). This strategic implementation is designed to establish a unified, scalable cloud-based platform that seamlessly connects its retail operations across more than 500 outlets nationwide.
The Road to Digital Integration
The group’s digital journey began in 2019, when Caring Pharmacy—prior to merging with BIG Pharmacy—faced limitations with its legacy on-premise ERP system. These challenges included system capacity constraints and complicated data processing, which impeded effective collaboration across departments.
To address these issues and better support its expanding network, Caring Pharmacy implemented SAP S/4HANA Retail in 2021, streamlining core business functions such as inventory management, supply chain processes, and customer relationship management (CRM).
Following the merger with BIG Pharmacy in 2023, operational complexities increased, prompting the newly formed BIG Caring Group to accelerate its digital transformation. The goal was to unify its systems under a secure, agile, and scalable cloud infrastructure.
Highlighting the significance of this transition, BIG Caring Group’s Chief Information Officer, Ooh Chin Boon, said:
“Integrating our diverse retail operations onto a unified cloud platform is a crucial milestone for us. We have selected RISE with SAP on AWS to help us access more accurate and comprehensive data across the entire group, so that we can respond with more agility to customer demands and supply chain volatility. This strengthens our capacity to deliver enhanced customer experiences and future proof our business.”
Embracing Cloud-Based Innovation
By deploying RISE with SAP on AWS, BIG Caring Group aims to centralize data from its various divisions into a single cloud platform. This integration is expected to drive higher operational efficiency by minimizing manual work, lowering costs, and enabling faster decision-making across its business units.
The cloud-based model also offers increased flexibility, empowering the company to scale and adapt quickly to evolving market conditions and customer expectations.
Redefining the Future of Pharmacy Retail
With a more advanced digital foundation in place, BIG Caring Group is positioning itself to harness technologies such as generative AI and predictive analytics to elevate the retail pharmacy experience in Malaysia.
Plans include leveraging real-time data to optimize stock levels, using AI to deliver personalized customer interactions, and enhancing supply chain efficiency with IoT and machine learning technologies.
Commenting on the initiative, Vipin Chandran, Managing Director of SAP Malaysia, stated:
“SAP Business AI is a huge enabler of automation and innovation for our customers, and being in the cloud is the first step to unlocking its full potential.”
On BIG Caring Group’s partnership with SAP, he added:
“With the group’s massive scale of operations in the country, there is so much opportunity that we can uncover together and reimagine retail experiences in Malaysia.”
-FutureIoT
