A 2017 study estimated that businesses lose about 6,500 hours a year doing busy work that could be more efficiently and effectively handled by digital automation — including processing papers, tweaking purchase orders and answering supplier inquiries. Which is precisely why many companies have begun implementing AI technology for logistics and supply chain tasks. As a result, human workers are freed up to perform more complex jobs that computers can’t handle. Not yet, anyway.
AI in supply chain has virtually countless applications. Areas of impact within the supply chain and logistics realms include operational procurement using intelligent data and chatbots, supply chain planning to forecast demand and supply, warehouse management to optimize stock, quicker and more accurate shipping to reduce lead times and transportation expenses and optimal supplier selection through the use of real-time data.
AI in Supply Chain and Logistics Examples
- Coupa
- Epicor
- Echo Global Logistics
- LivePerson
- Infor
- Covariant
- Zebra Technologies
- HAVI
- C3 AI
- Symbotic
Here are examples of how AI is used to improve the logistics process.
AI in Supply Chain and Logistics Examples
Founded: 2017
Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois
Logiwa uses AI in its warehouse and inventory management software to enhance efficiency, accuracy and decision-making capabilities. Its AI algorithms analyze historical sales data and market trends to forecast demand, analyze inventory in real time to optimize inventory, and prioritize incoming orders based on factors like urgency, shipping deadlines and customer preference.
Founded: 2014
Location: Chicago, Illinois
FOURKITES is a logistics company that uses AI to provide real-time tracking of fleet vehicles on roads, over seas and in the air. Its visibility technology serves shippers, carriers and logistics service providers. The company’s Fin AI, a natural language interface that automates tedious tasks like projecting the downstream consequences of supply chain incidents, tracks over 3 million shipments per day across over 6 thousand data points and 18 million ETAs.
Founded: 2014
Location: Denver, Colorado
Vorto, an AI-driven platform, partners with shippers, suppliers and carriers to make supply chains more efficient. Its autonomous supply chain platform aims to diminish carbon emissions from supply chain transportation and enhance the quality of life for around 3.5 million truck drivers by optimizing their time. Used by Fortune 500 companies throughout North America, Vorto’s technology automates the processes of data preparation, analysis and decision-making.
Founded: 2006
Location: San Mateo, California
Coupa enables supply chain companies to make data-driven decisions with its suite of AI and digital tools. With the Supply Chain Modeler, businesses can compile logistics data and predict operational results by running various scenarios. AI features also factor in variables such as tariffs and environmental events, so companies can assess all possible risks and adjust their supply chains accordingly.
Founded: 1972
Location: Austin, Texas
Epicor employs Microsoft Azure, a cloud-based AI solutions platform, to make its business solutions for manufacturers and distributors — including supply chain and logistics — even smarter. The company has also explored incorporating Microsoft’s speech-to-text and advanced search capabilities to improve the way customers interact with its applications.
Founded: 2005
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Transportation management company Echo uses AI to provide supply chain solutions that optimize transportation and logistics needs so customers can ship their goods quickly, securely and cost-effectively. Services include rate negotiation; procurement of transportation; shipment execution and tracking; carrier management, selection, reporting, and compliance; executive dashboard presentations; and detailed shipment reports.
Founded: 1995
Location: Fully Remote
LivePerson’s AI-driven conversational platform facilitates customer support by measuring consumer intent and sentiment while determining where a conversation should go next. The platform also juggles every conversation simultaneously, whether it’s being held by a human, bot, third-party tech or a combination of all three.
Founded: 2002
Location: New York, New York
Infor’s intelligent supply chain applications employ advanced algorithms, optimization engines and machine learning to unify the digital and physical worlds so companies can access rich insights and make more informed business decisions. Solutions include supply chain planning, procure-to-pay automation, supply chain finance, supply management, supply chain visibility, transportation management and warehouse management.
Founded: 2017
Location: Emeryville, California
Showcasing autonomous robots, Covariant equips supply chains with the AI technology to deliver faster and more reliable results. The company’s robots have the ability to acquire general skills and learn from each other, so an entire network benefits from a single bot’s newfound knowledge. In addition, machine learning allows Covariant’s robots to improve upon their performance and adapt to handling a wide range of objects and tasks.
Founded: 1969
Location: Lincolnshire, Illinois
Zebra’s logistics and supply chain AI solutions include SmartPack and SmartPack Trailer, which integrate hardware, software and data analytics to provide real-time visibility into the loading process and increase efficiency. Specific benefits include the optimization of space to ship less air and reduce operating costs; the quicker and more efficient processing of parcels; the reduction of parcel damage and loss; and improved worker safety.
Founded: 1981
Location: Downers Grove, Illinois
HAVI offers multiple AI-based solutions in the areas of supply chain management and logistics through the use of predictive analytics. The former includes planning, optimization, sourcing and data management. The latter encompasses procurement, freight management, warehousing and distribution. By wielding this one-two punch, companies can digitize their operations to create more sustainable and resilient supply chains.
Founded: 2009
Location: Santa Ana, California
Manufacturers use C3 AI’s AI-powered Inventory Optimization to manage inventory levels in real-time across purchase parts, components and finished goods. Using advanced machine learning algorithms, C3 AI’s system continually learns from data culled from production orders, purchase orders and supplier deliveries to glean stocking recommendations and more.
Founded: 2007
Location: Wilmington, Massachusetts
Symbotic designs, builds and tests AI-powered robots that provide flexible manual or fully automated solutions based on a company’s products, operational flow and customer needs. The company’s SymBots leverage machine learning and vision algorithms to organize inventory in a way that ensures all horizontal and vertical space is filled to the max.
Founded: 2012
Location: Mountain View, California
H2O.ai is simplifying supply chain and manufacturing duties by encouraging businesses to embrace AI. Leaning on AI and a cloud platform, H2O.ai can forecast demands and returns, detect faulty machines and anticipate when maintenance will be needed. The company also supports logistics organizations with driverless AI vehicles to meet inventory and production requirements.
Founded: 2014
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Uptake uses AI and machine learning to analyze data for telematics with the goal of predicting failure in order to reduce downtime for a variety of vehicles and machinery, including trucks, cars, railcars, combines and planes. Supply chain and logistics teams then can anticipate issues, lower operational costs and develop more consistent workflows.
Founded: 2006
Location: Chicago, Illinois
Acquired by UPS, Coyote Logistics uses a variety of methods — including predictive analytics, AI and machine learning — in pairing customer shipment information with outside data (like real-time traffic and weather) to help shippers predict supply-chain issues, including delays, before they occur. As a result, they’re able to make alternate plans so shipments still arrive on time.
Founded: 1981
Location: Bedford, Massachusetts
Aspen Technology uses AI to profitably optimize procurement, production, distribution and inventory plans that meet customer demand and revenue goals. Its Aspen Supply Chain Planner employs value-driven analysis to imagine and dissect numerous hypothetical scenarios where teams regulate supply and demand by effectively managing inventory and avoiding heavy transportation costs.
Founded: 1997
Location: New York, New York
Using AI and machine learning, DataArt helps its clients track fleets, develop optimal routes, anticipate disruptions and organize workforces to adequately meet production needs. The company also offers real-time analysis of supply chain data as well as the synchronization of logistics processes and other key factors.
Founded: 2013
Headquarters: San Francisco, California
Motive makes AI-powered software businesses use to manage their vehicle fleets. The Integrated Operations Platform can be customized to meet specific needs and provides data insights that can improve safety and efficiency. In the trucking and logistics industry, for example, Motive’s technology allows businesses to mitigate high-risk driving behaviors, monitor vehicle location and keep customers updated on arrival time.
Founded: 2016
Headquarters: Austin, Texas
Overhaul says its work centers around a “vision of providing a single, unified view for in-transit logistics.” Its platform covers functions such as delivering actionable data insights and supporting theft prevention and recovery. RiskGPT is Overhaul’s AI-powered solution that give users with real-time risk alerts for shipments and empowers them to quickly investigate and respond.
