New Aim leverages Google Cloud to boost AI in eCommerce

Australian private eCommerce technology company New Aim has opted for Google Cloud to consolidate its digital infrastructure and enhance the accessibility of generative AI for Australian eCommerce businesses.

Among New Aim's clients are major e-tailers, including Bunnings, Myer, Woolworths, and Big W.

Since initiating its transition to Google Cloud in March 2024, New Aim has reported significant improvements, including reduced IT costs, bolstered cybersecurity, and enhanced infrastructure performance. Service uptime has increased from 97% to 99%. The migration from a previous multicloud and on-premise environment to Google Cloud has, according to the company, simplified management and brought about immediate efficiency benefits.

As part of the transition, New Aim has developed AirOxy.AI, an insights-driven platform built entirely on Google Cloud, which aims to make AI more accessible to eCommerce retailers. The platform has seen strong demand from the industry since its pilot launch in July 2024. New Aim's clientele includes both small "challenger" e-tailers and prominent local brands such as Bunnings, Woolworths, and Baby Bunting.

Dr. Alex Ji, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Information Officer at New Aim, stated, "Our previous multicloud infrastructure came with growing complexity and costs that were proving challenging and risky to manage for our relatively lean IT team. In less than a year, Google Cloud helped us leap from an increasingly shaky multicloud approach to a single cohesive cloud environment that's been significantly easier to manage while also delivering immediate efficiency dividends. As a result, we've been able to take advantage of AI far faster, and with much greater sophistication, than we'd thought possible for an eCommerce company of our size."

New Aim has also employed Google Cloud's BigQuery to structure and analyse data from its core platform AimCore, which manages digital supply chain processes. AimCore's technology underpins the development of AirOxy.AI. The platform allows eCommerce SMEs to run generative AI models for pricing insights, market trends, and image optimisation for product listings. AirOxy.AI's capabilities and data reside entirely on Google Cloud, overcoming the compatibility and complexity challenges previously encountered with various open-source and proprietary systems.

New Aim's subsidiary B2B2C marketplace, Dropshipzone, with over 2,500 active retailers, is expected to benefit greatly from AirOxy.AI. SME retailers using Dropshipzone will gain access to critical pricing insights and market trends, enabling them to make informed decisions and compete with larger competitors.

Fung Lam, Founder and Chief Executive Officer at New Aim, commented, "Smaller eCommerce players often don't have the critical mass of skills or funds to tap into AI at the scale and sophistication of larger global marketplaces. We wanted AirOxy.AI to fill that gap, but for that to happen, we ourselves needed a way to access world-class AI without overwhelming our engineers or overcomplicating our systems. Google Cloud gives us that straightforward access to a whole world of top-tier gen AI capabilities in a single environment: they've democratised gen AI for us so we can do the same for our customers."

Partnering with Google Cloud has also allowed New Aim to reduce the cost and complexity of its cloud transformation. Google Cloud provided extensive engineering support and educational resources, helping New Aim upskill its engineers at reduced costs while addressing the local requirements of its multiple international offices.

Matt Zwolenski, Director and CTO of Google Cloud Australia & New Zealand, remarked, "Google Cloud is working with retailers around the world to make AI an essential ingredient throughout their businesses by first consolidating, structuring, and streamlining their enterprise data as efficiently as possible. New Aim is proof that eCommerce firms of any size can tap into digital infrastructure that allows them to punch above their weight. New Aim's vision resonates strongly with our own commitment to lowering the entry-level barriers to future-ready digital infrastructure, market-leading generative AI capabilities, and the growth potential they offer."