ILLUSTRATIVE SCENARIO
Assess a material shortage through to customer orders
One missing component affects multiple products. Bill-of-material links and scenarios expose affected orders and available approved options.
UNDERSTAND THE AI
What happens behind the scenes.
Predictive AI · Material-flow simulation · Explanatory assistant
What does the AI actually do?
A forecasting model can estimate receipt dates from delivery history. An LLM explains the calculated order impacts and makes assumptions understandable across functions.
How the solution works
- 01
Estimate receipt dates
A regression or time model uses supplier, material group, promised dates and earlier delays. Evaluation uses later deliveries; unfamiliar situations are flagged.
- 02
Calculate material impacts
A planning or simulation service resolves bills of materials, reservations and stock. Scenarios respect approved substitutes, calendars and capacity limits.
- 03
Explain options
The assistant turns calculated alternatives into a common decision view, showing affected customer orders, assumptions and outstanding questions.
What value can it deliver?
Procurement, planning and sales reach a shared view sooner. Earlier clarification and transparent alternatives can reduce unnecessary premium freight, repeated rescheduling and late customer updates.
A concrete example
Illustration: a missing component affects two orders. Simulation compares partial shipment with a changed sequence; the assistant explains each option’s date impacts and assumptions.
Technology, setup & operation
The pilot can start with confirmed dates and no forecasting model. Add AI forecasts only if they outperform a simple baseline. Availability calculations and simulation remain separate domain logic; an LLM does not provide reliable inventory figures.
Illustrative solution design. The final architecture depends on data, systems and pilot evaluation.
Starting situation
An electronic component will arrive late. It is used in several assemblies serving different customer orders. Procurement, planning and sales need a shared view of stock, reservations and the consequences of rescheduling.
How the workflow could look
Resolve dependencies
A traceable calculation follows bills of materials, reservations and order links. A lead-time forecast can add historical delivery patterns; uncertain dates stay explicit.
Compare options
Scenarios assess stock reallocation, partial production or technically approved alternatives. Each shows capacity, additional cost and delivery implications.
Record the decision
The assistant explains affected orders and trade-offs. Planning, procurement and sales agree an option and record assumptions and approvals.
A prioritised order view with scenarios and transparent assumptions, such as partial delivery versus a different production sequence.