GM Supplies builds digital foundations for future growth

GM Supplies & Distribution Ltd, a growing family-owned business based in Glenrothes, is investing in a major digital transformation project to strengthen its operations, improve customer service and support future growth.

For more than 17 years, the company has supplied cleaning, hygiene, healthcare and industrial products to a diverse range of commercial customers across Scotland, including care homes, nurseries, doctors’ surgeries, dental practices, manufacturing sites, hospitality businesses and the catering sector.

Led by Gary Miller and his dad, David Miller, GM Supplies has built a strong reputation for providing reliable service, competitive pricing and access to products from a wide range of manufacturers and suppliers. As an independent business, GM Supplies is not tied to a single manufacturer or supplier. This allows the company to source products from across the market and provide customers with solutions suited to their individual requirements while maintaining competitive pricing and high standards of service.

A client of Business Gateway Fife, GM Supplies worked with Business Adviser Graeme Currie to undertake a Specialist Business Advice (SBA) project reviewing its ICT infrastructure and systems. SBA is funded by the UK Government through the UK Prosperity Fund.

The review identified several barriers to future growth, including reliance on a legacy Microsoft Access database for pricing and stock management, limited real-time stock visibility, and inefficient manual sales and order-handling processes.

The assessment concluded that the existing systems could not effectively support the level of customer-specific information or live stock availability required as the business grows. These capabilities will also be essential for future e-commerce functionality and greater digital engagement with customers.

Supported by a development grant, the company has now begun Phase One of the implementation. The project includes enhanced Microsoft 365 security and multi-factor authentication, migration to Microsoft Teams and SharePoint, hardware upgrades, and the development of a bespoke stock and pricing platform.

Gary Miller explained, “The independent review gave us a clear understanding of the challenges within our existing systems and highlighted what we needed to do to support future growth. This investment will allow us to improve efficiency, strengthen security and create the foundations for future online ordering and digital engagement with our customers.”

Graeme Currie added, “GM Supplies is a true family business and it’s been great to work with Gary through this process. Digital infrastructure is now the backbone of most companies, but there is no one solution for all. Having the opportunity to utilise a specialist provided the clear route map needed.”

The new platform will deliver real-time stock control and customer-specific pricing, providing GM Supplies with a secure and scalable digital foundation for the next stage of the company’s growth.

Whether thinking of starting a business or looking to grow or sustain an existing business, contact Business Gateway Fife on 01592 858333 for a variety of advice and support or visit www.bgateway.com/fife