5 Things Every CSCO Should Know About Generative AI

August 4, 2023

As a Chief Supply Chain Officer (CSCO) of a consumer goods company, you are no stranger to the constant pursuit of productivity, automation, and actionable insights. In this dynamic and challenging global marketplace, staying ahead of the curve is essential for driving faster and better decision-making processes. Excitement abounds as ground-breaking technology, generative AI, emerges as a game-changer for supply chain planning.

As a digital supply chain expert at Firstshift, an innovative technology company, I am equipping you with five essential insights on leveraging generative AI to accelerate and elevate your supply chain planning initiatives.

Generative AI, with its unique ability to efficiently generate new insights from both structured and unstructured data, has the potential to transform your supply chain strategy. As a seasoned expert in supply chain planning technology, cloud solutions and AI, including generative AI, Firstshift holds the key to unlocking unprecedented efficiencies and gaining valuable AI-driven insights.

As a CSCO, your role in catalyzing your company’s value proposition with generative AI is vital. And understanding its capabilities and limitations will be paramount in positioning your organization for success. So, let’s explore the five things every CSCO should know about generative AI. Armed with this knowledge, we’ll empower you to take your supply chain planning to the next level with the innovative power of generative AI.

1. Democratization of Supply Chain Insights: The natural language interpretation and generation capabilities of generative AI can make supply chain insights accessible to more participants within and outside (partners) the enterprise. Processes like Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) will benefit greatly from generative AI driven insights and the ability to explore multiple business scenarios.

2. Unleashing Unstructured Data: Generative AI’s ability to process unstructured data (documents, emails, etc.) both internal to the enterprise and external unlocks a treasure trove of insights, enabling you to extract value from previously untapped sources. The additional insights can be extremely valuable in areas like supply chain risk management and demand planning.

3. The power of Domain Specific LLMs: Foundational models like GPT-4 (short for “generative pre-trained transformer”), trained using the vast ocean of information available on the internet have shown great promise in use cases associated with content generation. Domain specific LLMs (Large Language Models) that are built by pre-training or fine tuning LLMs with domain specific content (rules, data models etc.) will certainly have a revolutionary impact on enterprise business processes including supply chain processes.

4. Generative AI Enabled Automation: Intelligent agents enabled by generative AI are starting to show promise in automating complex sequences of repetitive tasks. Experiments in this area like Auto-GPT are quickly evolving into more robust and enterprise ready agents. Supply chain processes that rely on making decisions and performing actions based on insights generated from disparate information are prime use cases for these agents.

5. Embrace the Future: View the exploration of generative AI as a mandate rather than an option. It can transform supply chain planning by enhancing data utilization, evaluating diverse business scenarios, accelerating insights, and optimizing key supply chain goals. As CSCOs, you have a crucial role in leading your organization into the future. Embrace generative AI’s transformative potential and position your company to excel in an ever-evolving supply chain landscape.

With generative AI poised to redefine supply chain processes including supply chain planning, CSCOs have an unprecedented opportunity to drive productivity, automation, and strategic insights. Armed with these five crucial insights, you are well-equipped to embrace the possibilities of generative AI and elevate your organization’s supply chain planning to new heights of success. By capitalizing on this innovative technology, you can stay ahead of the competition and revolutionize your supply chain for the better. Embrace the future with generative AI and pave the way for a more efficient and effective supply chain ecosystem.

Ready to make the smart shift?

Our innovative AI-powered platform fuels data-driven recommendations and automation to optimize your demand planning, drive customer satisfaction, and boost your bottom line. Schedule a demo to see the power of generative AI to optimize your supply chain strategy.

About Firstshift

Firstshift’s innovative supply chain planning platform leverages artificial intelligence to automate tedious tasks and provide actionable insights, that free up your valuable resources, allowing you to scale without compromising quality, overloading your team, or incurring unnecessary risks. Experience greater confidence, faster decision-making that comes from new insights, and drive your business forward. The AI-powered supply chain planning platform transforms company operations from the first shift today and into the possibilities of tomorrow. Make the smart shift.

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March 18, 2025

Firstshift Launches Pluto, an AI-powered copilot for Supply Chain Planning Excellence

Los Altos, California – March 18, 2025 – Firstshift, a leading provider of AI-powered supply chain planning software, today announced the launch of Pluto, a Generative AI-powered planning copilot that assists planners with their decisions and tasks.

With options to leverage natural language query capabilities and an intuitive query builder, Pluto empowers supply chain professionals to gain critical insights faster, streamline decision-making, and optimize operations with unprecedented ease.

“Pluto is a game-changer for supply chain professionals,” said Hari Menon, CEO and Co-founder of Firstshift. “By making supply chain insights more accessible, actionable and accurate, Pluto allows planners to plan with confidence. With AI-powered insights at their fingertips, decision-makers can navigate supply chain complexities with greater speed and precision. Pluto is the first in the line of a series of AI-powered planning copilots and agents in our product roadmap.”

The flexibility of Pluto to operate in a natural language mode or the query builder mode makes it easy for planners to ask questions about their supply chain and get answers instantaneously. For complex and detailed analysis, Pluto’s query builder mode allows users to create complex queries effortlessly without requiring deep technical knowledge.

Supply chain leaders in enterprises are constantly challenged having to deal with shifting consumer demand, supply disruptions, and increasing operational complexity. Planners in their organization have to be agile to adjust plans, evaluate scenarios and make decisions based on insights derived from large volumes of data. Pluto changes the game by offering an AI assistant that compliments or extends a company’s supply chain planning team’s capabilities without adding staff or expertise. This is especially important as access to experienced talent and professionals with supply chain planning experience becomes increasingly competitive and difficult.

Pluto is available as part of Firstshift’s AI-powered demand and supply planning platform and solutions. Schedule a demo to see it in action and learn more about our platform’s solutions.

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Firstshift is an innovative provider of AI-Powered supply chain planning solutions for large and medium-size enterprises. Firstshift's customer base includes leading brands in CPG, Food & Beverage, Industrial products and Apparel & Fashion industries. For more information visit www.firstshift.ai.

Insights

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January 28, 2025

Unlocking Growth Opportunities with AI-Powered Demand Forecasting in the Food & Beverage Industry

From unpredictable consumer behaviors to supply chain disruptions, the challenges of demand planning are a delicate balancing act. Companies must adapt quickly to meet demand without sacrificing efficiency or profitability. AI-powered demand forecasting offers a game-changing solution, empowering F&B companies to make smarter decisions, reduce costs, and unlock growth opportunities.

Why Traditional Forecasting Falls Short

Conventional forecasting methods rely on few statistical algorithms applied on historical sales and shipment data and don’t account for :

Intermittent demand spikes
Volatile demand patterns
Unforeseen external factors, like weather and trends

These inaccuracies lead to either excess inventory of lost revenue.

How AI-Powered Demand Forecasting Makes a Difference

Leveraging machine learning and external signals, AI-driven demand planning dynamically predicts demand across product categories, markets, and supply chains. Key advantages include:

✅ Increased Accuracy: Attribute-based planning adjusts forecasts based on real-time changes like promotions, market trends, and consumer behavior.

✅ Scenario Planning: Simulate outcomes with ease, compare “what-if” scenarios, and adjust plans to avoid disruptions.

✅ Reduced Waste: Accurate forecasting means optimized production—no more overstocking or spoiled inventory.

✅ Growth Insights: AI uncovers demand signals you might miss, like external trends or regional opportunities, to fuel revenue growth.

Real Results for F&B Companies

Companies adopting AI-powered solutions see results like:

Up to 30% improvement in forecast accuracy
Reduced inventory costs by 10-20%
Faster response to supply chain shifts

By unlocking demand insights and improving agility, F&B businesses can turn challenges into opportunities.

Ready to Unlock Growth?

Don’t let inaccurate forecasts limit your growth. Explore how AI-powered demand forecasting can help you stay ahead of demand, reduce costs, and grow your business. Schedule a demo today.

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Insights

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January 16, 2025

The Power of AI in Sales & Operations Planning for the Food & Beverage Industry

The food and beverage (F&B) industry is one of the most dynamic and challenging sectors in the global market. With fluctuating consumer preferences, stringent regulations, and the pressure to minimize waste, achieving operational efficiency is no small feat. Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) plays a pivotal role in navigating these complexities, helping businesses align their demand forecasts with operational capabilities.

Navigating Complexity with Precision
Traditional S&OP processes often fall short of delivering the agility and precision required in today’s market. This is where AI-powered supply chain planning solutions step in, transforming how F&B companies strategize, plan, and execute their operations. By integrating advanced analytics, predictive capabilities, and real-time insights, AI is reshaping S&OP into a powerful growth engine.

Why Does S&OP Matter in F&B?
At its core, S&OP is a structured process that ensures sales forecasts, production plans, and business objectives are in harmony. For F&B companies, this alignment is crucial to navigating the sector's unique challenges. Imagine trying to forecast demand for seasonal products like ice cream or holiday beverages while accounting for production capacity, supplier timelines, and regulatory compliance. The stakes are high—too much inventory leads to waste, while too little results in lost sales and customer dissatisfaction.

Traditional S&OP processes often rely on historical data and manual inputs, which can be prone to inaccuracies, errors, and delays. In an industry where shelf life is limited, and consumer preferences can change overnight, these inefficiencies are costly. The F&B sector needs S&OP solutions that are dynamic, precise, and responsive—qualities that AI delivers with remarkable effectiveness.

How AI is Transforming S&OP in the F&B Sector
AI brings a level of sophistication to S&OP that was previously unattainable. By leveraging AI, F&B companies can move beyond static, spreadsheet-based planning to dynamic, data-driven decision-making.

For example, AI enables real-time data integration from multiple sources, such as point-of-sale (POS) systems, social media trends, and even weather forecasts. Imagine a summer heatwave triggering a surge in demand for cold beverages. With AI, your S&OP process can quickly adjust forecasts and optimize production schedules to meet the spike in demand.

AI also introduces predictive analytics into the equation. Instead of relying solely on historical data, AI models analyze patterns and external signals to predict future demand with greater accuracy. This proactive approach allows businesses to anticipate challenges and capitalize on opportunities before they arise.

Another game-changing capability is scenario planning. What happens if a supplier faces delays? Or if consumer demand shifts mid-season? AI-powered S&OP platforms let companies simulate these "what-if" scenarios, evaluating potential impacts and determining the best course of action.

From Challenges to Opportunities: The Benefits of AI-Powered S&OP
The benefits of integrating AI into your S&OP process go far beyond efficiency. By harnessing the power of AI, F&B companies can unlock new levels of collaboration, precision, and agility.

Reduce Risk: AI reduces the risk of misalignment between departments. With a centralized platform that provides real-time insights, sales, production, and logistics teams can make informed decisions based on the same data. This transparency eliminates silos and fosters cross-functional collaboration.

Increased Agility: AI enhances agility. The F&B industry is often subject to external shocks, from unexpected demand surges to supply chain disruptions. AI-powered tools allow businesses to respond quickly, minimizing the negative impact of unforeseen events.

Profitability: AI drives sustainability—a growing priority for F&B companies and their consumers. By optimizing inventory and reducing waste, AI-powered S&OP aligns profitability with environmental responsibility.

Transforming S&OP into a Competitive Advantage
Sales & Operations Planning is no longer just a process—it’s a strategic advantage for companies ready to embrace the future. With AI, F&B businesses can transform their approach to planning, unlocking efficiencies, enhancing collaboration, and staying ahead of market changes.

If you’re looking to take your S&OP process to the next level, now is the time to act. Let our AI-powered supply chain platform help you navigate the complexities of the F&B industry with confidence and precision. Schedule a demo today to see how AI can revolutionize your S&OP process and drive your business forward.