Digital enablement was Weston’s answer. In Abidaoud’s words, the app allows customers ordering baked goods to make purchases using a mobile device. They can also track delivery and predict future orders—for example, a business carrying Weston baked bread may be notified it needs delivery of fresh bread that morning. The app called “Smart Order” gives independent distributors the ability to run their business efficiently, says Abidaoud. For example, if a distributor needs more of a product, it can increase its order from a mobile device using the app. He’s also improved the sharing of information between departments. That’s been especially important as Weston is a highly integrated business throughout North America. Even two to three years before Abidaoud joined, he says Weston’s information technology team was merging newly acquired departments with existing ones. For example, he says it’s better to have one overarching HR department than many. As of early August, the process was 60 percent complete.