MEMPHIS, Tenn., and
REDMOND, Wash., May 18, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- FedEx Corp. (NYSE:
FDX) and Microsoft Corp. (Nasdaq: MSFT) on Monday announced a new
multiyear collaboration to help transform commerce by combining the
global digital and logistics network of FedEx with the power of
Microsoft's intelligent cloud. Together, FedEx and Microsoft aim to
create opportunities for their customers through multiple joint
offerings powered by Azure and Dynamics 365 that will use data and
analytics solutions to reinvent the most critical aspects of the
commerce experience and enable businesses to better compete in
today's increasingly digital landscape.
"FedEx has been reimagining the supply chain since our first day
of operation, and we are taking it to a new level with today's
announcement," said Frederick W.
Smith, chairman and CEO, FedEx. "Together with Microsoft, we
will combine the immense power of technology with the vast scale of
our infrastructure to help revolutionize commerce and create a
network for what's next for our customers."
This new strategic alliance represents a long-term commitment
between the companies to fuel innovation, collaborate on product
development and share subject-matter expertise. Today, FedEx
networks link more than 99% of the world's gross domestic product
across 220 countries and territories, and Microsoft Azure is
trusted by more than 95% of Fortune 500 companies. By combining the
breadth and scale of the FedEx network and the Microsoft cloud,
businesses will have an unprecedented level of control and insight
into the global movement of goods.
"Now more than ever, organizations are counting on an efficient
and capable supply chain to remain competitive and open for
business," said Satya Nadella, CEO,
Microsoft. "Together with FedEx, we will apply the power of
Azure, Dynamics 365 and their AI capabilities to this urgent need,
building new commerce experiences that transform logistics for our
mutual customers around the world."
Announcing FedEx Surround — driving digital illumination of
the physical world
FedEx Surround, the first solution resulting from the FedEx and
Microsoft collaboration, allows any business to enhance visibility
into its supply chain by leveraging data to provide near-real-time
analytics into shipment tracking, which will drive more precise
logistics and inventory management. While most carriers are
reactive to global logistics dynamics with limited visibility
options built into a package's journey, FedEx Surround will provide
near-real-time insights — down to the granular level of ZIP code,
for example — to shine a digital light on the progress and movement
of physical inventory.
The benefits offered by FedEx Surround will extend to any
business with a supply chain and particularly those that depend on
highly time-sensitive deliveries. For example, a hospital may
urgently need a package to help save a life, or a part may need
rapid transport to a manufacturing facility to avoid an operational
shutdown. In each instance, the near-real-time data insights
provided by FedEx Surround offer a significant advantage to not
only the organizations using the platform but also the people they
serve.
FedEx Surround can also collect multiple data points gathered
through the enhanced scanning and proprietary IoT technology of
FedEx and analyze them using Microsoft's broad suite of AI, machine
learning and analytics solutions. This will provide participating
businesses with not only enhanced visibility of a package's
location during its journey, but also knowledge of global commerce
conditions and external challenges in near-real-time, such as
severe weather or natural disasters, mechanical delays, clearance
issues, and incorrect addresses. This unprecedented level of
data-driven insight will give FedEx Surround customers the
opportunity to intervene early and act to avoid logistical
slowdowns before they occur to reduce friction and costs. And with
every package that ships, FedEx Surround will analyze past trends
to identify future opportunities for streamlined shipping, creating
a stronger and more resilient commercial ecosystem.
Information regarding FedEx Surround availability will be shared
beginning this summer, and customer access will be rolled out in
the months ahead.
FedEx and Microsoft expect to announce additional solutions as
part of their collaboration in the coming
months, which will leverage even more Microsoft technologies,
including Dynamics 365. This includes reimagining commerce
experiences for businesses to offer consumers more integrated ways
to shop, and faster and more efficient deliveries.
Those interested in more details, including visual assets,
should visit www.fedex.com/transform.
About FedEx Corp.
FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses
worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and
business services. With annual revenues of $70 billion, the company offers integrated
business solutions through operating companies competing
collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx
brand. Consistently ranked among the world's most admired and
trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 475,000 team
members to remain focused on safety, the highest ethical and
professional standards and the needs of their customers and
communities. To learn more about how FedEx connects people and
possibilities around the world, please visit about.fedex.com.
About Microsoft
Microsoft (Nasdaq "MSFT" @microsoft) enables digital
transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an
intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every
organization on the planet to achieve more.
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may be considered
forward-looking statements, such as statements relating to FedEx
and Microsoft managements' views with respect to future events and
financial performance. Forward-looking statements include those
preceded by, followed by or that include the words "will," "may,"
"could," "would," "should," "believes," "expects," "anticipates,"
"plans," "estimates," "targets," "projects," "intends" or similar
expressions. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to
differ materially from historical experience or from future results
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential
risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the rate
of future e-commerce growth and our ability to successfully compete
in the e-commerce market, our ability to successfully introduce
e-commerce solutions in the expected time frame, customer
acceptance of the FedEx Surround platform and other factors which
can be found in FedEx Corp.'s and Microsoft's respective press
releases and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which
it is made. FedEx and Microsoft do not undertake or assume any
obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement,
whether as a result of new information, future events or
otherwise.
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SOURCE Microsoft Corporation