Digital Transformation Consulting

Blue Diamond Growers, the world’s largest almond supplier and processing company, faced significant challenges in managing its supply chain as it transitioned from supplying raw materials to packaging products directly for consumers. This shift resulted in a complex supply chain characterized by disjointed spreadsheet systems, making it difficult to accurately forecast supply and demand. Recognizing that its growth depended on a more efficient, customer-focused supply chain management solution, Blue Diamond Growers partnered with Accenture to develop a tailored approach.

Accenture collaborated with Blue Diamond Growers to design and implement a globally scalable, customer-centric supply chain planning solution based on SAP® Integrated Business Planning (IBP). This solution was integrated with the existing on-premises SAP system, allowing for real-time consolidation, validation, and analysis of supply chain data, which enhanced transparency in planning. The implementation included virtual training for the Blue Diamond Growers team, ensuring they were proficient in using the new system prior to its launch.

When the COVID-19 pandemic impacted operations, Blue Diamond Growers adapted by switching to a daily planning cycle using the joint SAP IBP and Accenture solution, Supply Chain Scenario Planning-as-a-Service. This approach utilized simulation scenarios to quickly extract data, enabling the company to reallocate its nut supply in response to changing demands. As a result of these initiatives, Blue Diamond Growers improved forecast accuracy by 10% within the first six months of launching the new system, allowing teams to optimize inventory management. The transition to a fully integrated, cloud-based solution not only streamlined operations but also freed up team members from manual data processing, allowing them to focus on more strategic activities. Additionally, the implementation of SAP S/4HANA® in the cloud has enhanced the company’s analytics and predictive capabilities, with ongoing projects exploring the use of artificial intelligence to predict harvests.