The PepsiCo digital backbone is redefining how one of the world’s largest food and beverage companies connects farms, factories, stores, and consumers. Under Venky Santhirahasan, Senior Vice President of Engineering and Technology, PepsiCo is building a unified platform that powers over a billion daily consumer interactions across 200+ countries.
When Santhirahasan joined, he inherited a fragmented network of local systems and apps. The challenge was to unify these global platforms without losing local flexibility.
“We needed a digital backbone that could serve everywhere, for everyone — and grow with our business, without compromise,” he explains.
Consequently, PepsiCo shifted to platform-first engineering, creating scalable systems that balance consistency and agility.
PepsiCo Digital Backbone: From Fragmentation to Flexibility
The PepsiCo digital backbone is anchored by two core platforms:
- Omni-Channel Commerce Hub (OCH) — centralizes catalog management, transactions, and master data.
- Digital Solution Accelerator (DSX) — provides reusable components for identity, security, and AI infrastructure.
These systems integrate Sales+ (Foods) and Savvy (Beverages) into a seamless ecosystem from planning to shelf execution. Moreover, the architecture relies on cloud-native microservices and API-first design, ensuring reliability across all geographies.
“Reusable frameworks and embedded AI enable both speed and scale,” says Santhirahasan.
Digitizing the Supply Chain with the PepsiCo Digital Backbone
PepsiCo’s Supply Chain Hub (SCH) digitizes the manufacturing and logistics network from production lines to fleet tracking.
It includes three key platforms:
- Manufacturing Control Tower (MCT) — unifies plant data, maintenance, and quality analytics.
- MFGPro+ — replaces manual workflows with smart, digital interfaces.
- Transportation Control Tower (TCT) — provides real-time fleet visibility and predictive routing.
As a result, efficiency gains appeared within months of launch. Meanwhile, across North America, digital dashboards now reduce downtime and waste through predictive alerts.
“MCT doesn’t just show data — it helps our teams act faster,” Santhirahasan adds.
AI Powers Smarter Decisions Across the PepsiCo Digital Backbone
AI sits at the core of the PepsiCo digital backbone.
Modules like Smart Ordering, Smart Execution, and Smart Leading optimise fill rates, validate planograms, and forecast disruptions.
“AI has revolutionised our supply chain,” says Santhirahasan. “It enables smarter decisions, reduces waste, and creates a resilient, responsive network.”
Furthermore, machine-learning models are embedded directly within operational systems, ensuring that AI impacts real-world outcomes — from predictive maintenance to dynamic route optimization.
Empowering Retailers Through PepsiConnect
The PepsiConnect platform extends the PepsiCo digital backbone to millions of independent retailers worldwide.
It enables store owners to order products, track promotions, and manage payments through a single interface.
In markets like Colombia, Mexico, Argentina, Poland, and New Zealand, stores complete digital orders in minutes, increasing accuracy and reducing stockouts.
“We wanted to remove friction from day-to-day operations so our partners can focus on growth,” Santhirahasan says.
Connecting B2B and Consumer Data
PepsiCo’s integration strategy unites store-level insights with consumer behaviour via a shared data layer.
This system creates a closed-loop between supply chain, sales, and marketing.
“No matter where consumers engage — in store or online — every interaction should feel seamless,” Santhirahasan explains.
Therefore, AI recommendations ensure high-demand items remain stocked while personalisation drives loyalty.
Future-Ready Platforms
Looking ahead, PepsiCo plans to advance hyper-personalisation and autonomous decisioning across its digital backbone.
By merging consumer, retail, and operational data, the company will transform insights into real-time actions.
“The ability to act on insights instantly will be transformative,” Santhirahasan says. “We’re embedding intelligence into every decision, making PepsiCo a truly tech-driven enterprise.”
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