To be completed next year, Woolworths claims it is the largest and most complex retail distribution network in the southern hemisphere.

The retailer claims Infor's warehouse management system (WMS) has enabled Woolworths to increase its supply chain capabilities across distribution centers in Sydney, Perth, Adelaide and regional New South Wales, with a Brisbane center currently in implementation phase.

The award is part of Woolworths' second annual IT Supplier of the Year Awards. Infor Asia Pacific manager for retail solutions, Gary McDonald, said the awards highlights the vendor's position as a leader in high volume retail distribution solutions. Woolworths chief logistics and information officer, Stephen Bradley, said Infor not only provided robust technology solutions but added innovative extensions and really went the extra mile to make the project a success.

Woolworths Supermarkets generates A$26 billion (US$20 billion) in revenue and has 120,000 employees. The company operates 740 supermarkets, 930 liquor stores and 430 petrol outlets across Australia. Once implementation is completed at the Brisbane distribution center, throughput is expected to triple. WMS is a high-volume supply chain management solution that includes RF (radio frequency) receiving, RF loading, flow-through, cross docking, labor management and integrated voice picking.