#Malaysia #Kuala Lumpur #NTT DATA #SECAI MARCHE

NTT Data and SECAI MARCHE Join Forces in Malaysia

NTT Data has recently announced a groundbreaking partnership with SECAI MARCHE, aimed at enhancing the digital transformation of food service and accommodation providers in Malaysia. The collaboration will integrate SECAI MARCHE's fresh food distribution platform with NTT Data's comprehensive solution for managing business-to-business invoicing, payments, and reconciliations. This strategic move is expected to significantly streamline procurement operations and optimize cash flow management across the industry.

Starting in July 2026, the services will target around 400 producers of fresh food and approximately 2,400 restaurants and accommodation providers across Malaysia. This initiative will mark a significant step in leveraging technology to address the existing challenges faced by local businesses in the food service sector.

The Driving Need for Transformation

In Southeast Asia, it has been observed that 80% of fresh foods are sourced from small-scale farmers. However, many vendors often struggle with inadequate processes connecting ordering, logistics, and payment collections. Additionally, the fragmented nature of the supply chain can lead to difficulties in demand-supply adjustments and increased food waste due to poorly structured cold chain logistics.

Moreover, many restaurant and accommodation businesses continue to rely on manual processes for handling invoices and payment operations, exacerbating back-office burdens and complicating cash flow management.

SECAI MARCHE's Role

In light of these challenges, SECAI MARCHE has dedicated its efforts to enhancing demand forecasting and optimizing logistics by utilizing transaction data. By linking its strengths with NTT Data's expertise under its global brand ADAPTIS®, they are poised to address these structural issues confronting food service and accommodation operators effectively.

Partnership Overview

Integration of Capabilities

As part of this partnership, SECAI MARCHE will deliver a food distribution platform connecting producers with restaurants and hotels, offering functionalities like demand forecasting, order management, and delivery supervision. NTT Data will complement these features with its invoicing, payment, and reconciliation solutions, bringing about a one-stop platform that enables both procurement efficiency and optimal fund management for businesses.

This collaboration will also facilitate further advancements like the digitization of invoices for more efficient operations, the provision of online payment features, and enhanced visibility on payment statuses to improve cash flow management for restaurants and accommodation providers.

Investment and Support

Backed by NTT Docomo Ventures and Synexia Ventures, this initiative has garnered support through financial investment aimed at strengthening SECAI MARCHE's business foundation and promoting long-term growth. Both venture companies are committed to helping accelerate the evolution of SECAI MARCHE, ensuring the sustainability and development of the regional food industry.

Future Outlook

Moving forward, NTT Data and SECAI MARCHE plan to tackle the operational inefficiencies faced by food service and accommodation businesses. Ultimately, they envision harnessing transaction and invoice data to explore avenues for providing financial services such as Business-Now-Pay-Later (BNPL) solutions and supply chain financing, enhancing access to funds for users in these sectors. By closely collaborating, NTT Data, NTT Docomo Ventures, and Synexia Ventures aim to foster sustainable growth for restaurants and accommodation providers in Southeast Asia for the long haul.

The Road Ahead

This partnership represents a significant effort towards revolutionizing the industry’s landscape in Malaysia. With a commitment to innovation and improvement, the collaboration is set to create a future where procurement and financial processes are seamless and effective, establishing a promising path for local businesses to thrive in an increasingly competitive market.