Quick Overview

• Suntory Oceania allocates $30 million towards IT to back a new $400 million carbon-neutral facility in Queensland.
• This facility marks the most significant FMCG investment in Australia in the past ten years.
• The IT overhaul incorporates SAP S/4 HANA for a connected ecosystem.
• Swanbank Facility has the capacity to produce 20 million cases per year through cutting-edge automation.
• Effortless integration of CRM and sales-force automation improves customer interactions.
• Honored with the 2025 SAP Best Tech Award for Customer Experience.
• Contributes to Suntory’s worldwide sustainability objectives through data transparency.

Technology Central to Manufacturing Excellence

Suntory Oceania’s new Swanbank Beverage Facility in Queensland boasts an annual production capability of 20 million drink cases, with future scalability considered. Its automation capabilities permit the production and storage of two complete pallets every minute, establishing it as one of the leading facilities in the area. The Digital & IT team coordinated 34 connections among SAP, Extended Warehouse Management (EWM), and operational technology systems. Moreover, automated shuttles link docks directly to production lines, removing manual delays and facilitating real-time visibility from order to shipping.

Effortless Customer Engagement

Suntory Oceania’s IT revamp has advanced not only its backend operations but also the way the company interacts with customers and partners. A new CRM platform acts as the definitive source across sales, support, and customer self-service, integrating smoothly with a telephony and sales-force automation system for its 200-member licensed sales team. The online store has been enhanced to feature an expanded alcoholic selection and real-time license verification, allowing for dynamic pricing and near-real-time integration with manufacturing and logistics.

A New Chapter for the Region’s Beverage Sector

The IT and operational overhaul positions Suntory Oceania as a driving force for the next wave of advanced manufacturing in Australia and New Zealand. The Swanbank facility’s carbon-neutral attributes align with Suntory’s global “Growing for Good” philosophy, bolstered by digital infrastructures that uphold sustainability targets through data clarity and real-time management. Suntory Oceania’s transformation signifies a redefined identity by merging technology, sustainability, and brand under a unified regional strategy.

A brief video showcasing the new facility can be accessed here.

Conclusion

Suntory Oceania’s $30 million IT revamp has effectively powered its $400 million carbon-neutral beverage hub in Queensland. By integrating state-of-the-art SAP solutions and establishing an agile, data-informed platform, the company has set new standards in manufacturing excellence, customer interaction, and sustainability. This transformation not only positions Suntory Oceania as a frontrunner in the beverage industry but also highlights the significance of digital transformation for resilience and growth within Australia’s manufacturing sector.

Q: What was the primary investment in Suntory Oceania’s revamp?

A: Suntory Oceania allocated $30 million towards IT infrastructure to support its $400 million carbon-neutral facility in Queensland.

Q: Which technology platform did Suntory Oceania adopt?

A: Suntory Oceania adopted SAP S/4 HANA to establish an integrated digital ecosystem for its operations.

Q: In what way does the new facility aid in sustainability?

A: The Swanbank facility is carbon-neutral, aligning with Suntory’s global “Growing for Good” philosophy and underpinned by data transparency and real-time oversight.

Q: What makes the Swanbank facility technologically advanced?

A: The Swanbank facility features automation capable of producing and storing two complete pallets every minute, along with automated shuttles and 34 synchronized interfaces for seamless operations.

Q: How has customer engagement evolved post-transformation?

A: Suntory Oceania’s new CRM platform unifies sales, support, and customer self-service, facilitating dynamic pricing and responsive adaptation to market shifts.

Q: What recognition did Suntory Oceania garner for their transformation?

A: Suntory Oceania, along with partners DXC Technology and Accenture, was awarded the 2025 SAP Best Tech Award for Customer Experience.

Acusensus Shines at the 2025 Melbourne Awards

The 2025 Melbourne Awards honored exceptional accomplishments across various sectors, with Acusensus Australia winning in the ‘Knowledge and Innovation’ category for their groundbreaking AI-driven road safety technology. This innovation is markedly lowering mobile phone usage while driving throughout Australia.

Quick Overview

• Acusensus Australia secures ‘Knowledge and Innovation’ at the 2025 Melbourne Awards.
• Established in 2018 by Alexander Jannink, the organization is dedicated to minimizing distracted driving.
• Their AI cameras have decreased unlawful phone usage by six times in NSW.
• The technology processes 50,000 vehicles each day, generating fines and fostering road safety.
• Acusensus operates on a global scale, including in the US, UK, and India.

Acusensus: Turning Tragedy into Innovation

Founded by Alexander Jannink in 2018 after the loss of a friend due to a distracted driver, Acusensus aimed to fill the voids in conventional policing. Using his knowledge in computer vision, Jannink created the initial automated system for identifying mobile phone usage while driving.

Heads-Up Distracted Driving Detection: The Original Life-Saver

The Heads-Up platform utilizes dual high-definition cameras to record number plates and images of drivers engaged with mobile phones. The system functions with over 95% precision, processing images on the spot, thereby lowering operational expenses and improving efficiency.

Fuse Multi-Offence Platform: One Unit, Multiple Violations

Building upon the success of Heads-Up, Fuse combines seatbelt detection, ANPR hotlists, and helmet checks. This enables thorough enforcement of various traffic violations, leading to enhanced road safety results.

Harmony Precision Speed Enforcement: Ending Speed Variance

Harmony uses GPS synchronization for exact average speed measurements. Implemented in Queensland, it zeroes in on speed infractions by heavy vehicles, providing an inventive method for speed regulation.

International Expansion and Future Developments

Acusensus’ technology represents more than just a local triumph. With implementations in New Zealand, the UK, and the US, the firm is broadening its scope. Upcoming innovations include “Impairify,” which plans to identify driver impairment via advanced analytics.

Conclusion

Acusensus has achieved notable progress in road safety technology with their AI-operated cameras, which have demonstrated remarkable success in curbing mobile phone usage while driving. Their pioneering solutions are continuing to grow worldwide, improving road safety and preserving lives.

Q&A

Q: What is Acusensus’ primary accomplishment at the 2025 Melbourne Awards?

A: Acusensus received the ‘Knowledge and Innovation’ award for their AI-driven road safety technology.

Q: What is the functionality of the Heads-Up platform?

A: It employs dual cameras to record images of drivers using mobile phones and processes them with high accuracy.

Q: In which other locations is Acusensus technology employed beyond Australia?

A: Their technology is also operational in New Zealand, the UK, and the US, among others.

Q: What upcoming innovations is Acusensus pursuing?

A: They are developing “Impairify,” a system designed to detect driver impairment through advanced analytics.

Brief Overview

• AI is transforming HR operations, optimizing recruitment, training, and development.
• HR technology has progressed from supporting managers to empowering staff members.
• Generative AI is customizing recruitment processes and speeding up procedures.
• Technology aids in recognizing skill deficiencies and suggesting educational paths.
• AI boosts employee involvement, contentment, and retention rates.
• HR executives must align technological possibilities with leadership that prioritizes human factors.

The Influence of AI on HR Advancement

Artificial intelligence is reshaping every aspect of the workplace, with HR leaders feeling its effects acutely. As guardians of their organisation’s human resources, HR professionals are now at the forefront of AI integration, making choices that will reshape workplace organization, collaboration between humans and machines, and the skill sets essential for success in the future.

Transitioning from Data to Employee Empowerment

Job titles now frequently refer to “people and culture,” yet the core function of HR leadership remains unchanged: guaranteeing that the organisation attracts top talent while providing every individual with an environment conducive to optimal performance. The advent of AI builds upon decades of technological advancements. Since the 1990s, multiple waves of digital innovations have transformed HR practices, shifting the emphasis from providing HR leaders with data and control to empowering employees and refining their experiences.

Transforming Recruitment

Currently, the influence of technology permeates the entire HR lifecycle, beginning with recruitment. Machine learning has long played a role in screening and selecting candidates. However, generative AI now introduces new avenues for automation, personalization, and acceleration in this process.

Improving Learning and Development

Technology not only disseminates content but also pinpoints emerging skills shortages and advises on customized learning routes, ensuring employees are well-equipped for what lies ahead.

Insights on Engagement and Culture

Systems powered by technology assist managers in grasping the employee experience by identifying engagement and cultural challenges and recommending timely measures to enhance satisfaction and retention.

Hybrid Work and Human-Focused Leadership

In an environment of hybrid work, technology facilitates communication, collaboration, and connection. HR leaders face the task of leveraging the capabilities of technology while preserving the human aspect central to their roles.

Key Figures in HR Transformation

Discover the HR leaders utilizing digital innovations to reshape their departments, including:

• Amy Johnsson, senior manager for people and culture business partnering, Swisse Wellness
• Chelsea Mannix, chief people officer, Funlab
• Sarah Macdonald, group people and culture manager, Hardie Grant Media
• Karli Newell, people and culture advisor, Macro Mike
• Yvette McDonald, chief people and customer officer, Anglicare
• Ed Milne, people and culture manager, Air-Met Scientific
• Neal Woolrich, director, Gartner’s Business and Technology Insights Group
• Sharon Hutchinson, human resources manager, Shwartz Media
• Aaron McEwan, vice president of advisory, Gartner HR practice
• Jasleen Kaur, senior principal, Gartner HR practice

Conclusion

The outlook for HR technology is bright, with AI playing a crucial role in reshaping recruitment, learning, and employee involvement. HR leaders need to skillfully combine technological innovations with human-centered approaches to effectively guide their organizations into 2025 and the years that follow.

Q: In what ways is AI transforming the recruitment process?

A: AI automates and customizes recruitment, facilitating quicker screening and selection of candidates, thereby accelerating the hiring process.

Q: What function does technology serve in learning and development?

A: Technology identifies skill deficits and provides tailored learning suggestions, ensuring employees gain the essential skills for the future.

Q: How does AI influence employee engagement and workplace culture?

A: AI aids in analyzing engagement and cultural issues, proposing interventions to boost satisfaction and improve retention.

Q: What primary challenge do HR leaders encounter concerning AI implementation?

A: HR leaders are tasked with balancing the potential of technology while upholding a human-centric approach in their leadership practices.