AI and Supply & Demand Planning:
What you need to know!

Introduction

Inventory and demand planning shouldn’t feel like a constant game of catch-up. Yet, stock-outs, excess inventory, and fluctuating demand make it harder than ever to keep things in balance.

AI functionality changes the game. It spots trends before they peak, eliminates guesswork, and helps you make confident, real-time decisions. Instead of drowning in data, you get clear, actionable insights that keep your business ahead of disruptions.

Let AI do the heavy lifting—so you can focus on what matters most: growing your business.

Ready to work smarter, not harder?

1. Why AI matters to your business

AI isn’t just about automation or chatbots—it’s about getting the right answers, right when you need them, so you can make smarter, faster decisions and stay ahead in a complex supply chain. By cutting through the noise, eliminating guesswork, and reducing manual effort, AI frees you to focus on what really matters: optimizing inventory, increasing sales, and delivering exceptional customer service.
With supply chain disruptions, rising tariffs, inflation, and increased competition, you might be wondering how AI-powered software can really help your business. Simply put, AI can sift through your data faster and more accurately, finding opportunities and spotting potential problems with just a click of a button. In today’s volatile supply chain landscape, where disruptions happen more often, this kind of technology is essential. It’s the kind of software that helps you make smarter decisions quickly—keeping your business on track and ready for whatever comes next.

How AI tools can transform your inventory and demand planning

Adapt in real-time: AI detects trends as they emerge, helping you respond to demand shifts without unnecessary costs.
Make smarter inventory decisions: Reduce stock-outs and excess inventory with precise, data-driven insights.
Enhance team collaboration: AI connects your data, ensuring alignment across your business.
Stay ahead of disruptions: AI predicts supply and demand risks before they impact your supply chain.
Improve forecast accuracy: Say goodbye to guesswork—AI-driven forecasting sharpens planning and control.
Save time & reduce costs: Quickly sift through inventory data in seconds, freeing your team to focus on strategic decisions that drive business growth.
Seize new opportunities: AI uncovers risks and opportunities early, so you can act fast.

Cutting through the noise: Did you know? Only 23% of SMBs have invested in AI, but over half see it as the future of supply chain management. Why wait?

Let’s take a closer look at Netstock’s Opportunity Engine™. This AI-powered tool analyzes inventory data across all locations – anticipating potential issues and delivering real-time recommendations. You can stay ahead of challenges and take action before they impact your business.

“The granularity of the Opportunity Engine allows us to take targeted actions and develop tailored strategies for each store, taking into account the varying demands and customer preferences across different locations.” Aline Najjar, Harvey Norman – Australia.

2. The role of data in AI

Data quality is essential for AI to deliver meaningful insights. In supply and demand planning, your output is only as reliable as the data you put in. As the saying goes, “garbage in, garbage out.” If your data isn’t accurate or up-to-date, your planning will lack the flexibility and adaptability needed to adjust planning and drive business growth.

What does clean data mean?

Clean data refers to information that is accurate, consistent, and free from errors or duplicates. It’s up-to-date, well-organized, and properly formatted—ensuring that AI can provide reliable insights for better decision-making.

How can you improve data quality?

Your data needs to be clean and reliable to unlock the full benefits of AI. Focus on these key areas:
Gathering data from trusted sources: Ensure you pull from accurate and consistent data streams.

Reducing manual entries: The more automated your processes are, the fewer errors you’ll encounter.

Regular audits: Check for inaccuracies and fix any data issues promptly to maintain data integrity.

Monitoring access: Limit who can alter key data to avoid errors or inconsistencies.

Unlocking value with your data

Collecting data is just the beginning. The value comes from transforming that data into actionable insights. By investing in software that offers AI capabilities, you can turn your data into a powerful strategic asset, driving innovation and improving decision-making across your entire business. Imagine how much time you’ll save on planning!

Netstock AI: A smarter way to manage your inventory

Netstock’s AI tools are designed to make inventory management both smarter and simpler. With just one click, an AI-powered inventory expert goes to work—identifying issues and delivering insights so you can quickly optimize stock. This frees you up to focus on what matters most: growing your business.

Key features:

Dashboard Analyzer: Breaks down complex dashboard data, highlighting key metrics and offering clear, actionable steps to optimize your inventory.

Item Analyzer: Reviews item statuses and provides immediate and long-term solutions, helping you avoid disruptions and maintain optimal inventory levels.

Item Troubleshooter: Pinpoints critical issues and offers solutions so you can resolve problems quickly, minimizing delays and boosting efficiency.

Report Explainer: Translates key inventory reports into quick insights, making it easy to assess sales, stock levels, and orders. It’s perfect for new users or teams needing fast answers.

You might be asking, “How can I trust these recommendations?” Netstock’s software is built to work with your data, analyzing past trends, inventory movements, and the specifics of your supply chain. By using your data and advanced analytics, the AI tools provides actionable insights that are customized to your needs and challenges.

3. Choosing the right software

AI-powered software can transform your supply chain operations, but not all AI solutions are created equal. Selecting the right one goes beyond ticking boxes; it’s about understanding your business’s unique journey and how the software can fuel your growth.

Think of your business’s journey like a road trip. Whether you’re just starting with inventory management or leading the market, knowing where you stand today is key to choosing the right software. The stage your business is at will determine how you can leverage AI.

For early-stage businesses: focus on solidifying inventory management practices and building a reliable data infrastructure before diving into AI. Once these are in place, AI can be a game-changer.

For more mature businesses: AI can drive continuous improvement and unlock opportunities for efficiency and innovation. Align your software choice with your business’s maturity to ensure smooth integration and maximum ROI.

AI is becoming a must-have for staying competitive, but with so many options, how do you know which solution is right for you?

1. Know what your business really needs
Every business is different, so start by identifying what your specific pain points are. Whether it’s improving your inventory management or enhancing demand forecasting, knowing your goals will help you focus on the right software.

2. Confirm the AI is real
Not every software that claims to use AI delivers on that promise. Ensure the functionality is working behind the scenes to give you smarter forecasts, better insights, and time-saving automation.

3. Think about cost and future growth
It’s not just about today’s costs—think long-term. Look for a solution that fits your budget now but can also grow with your business.

4. Ensure the solution integrates with your systems
When choosing software for your business, look for solutions that easily integrate with your ERP, CRM, and other key systems. Netstock is purpose-built to integrate with all the leading ERP systems, automatically converting raw ERP data into predictive insights to drive confident decision-making.

Before you start the software implementation process, spend time collating all the necessary information to ensure you successfully execute the data migration process according to your project plan. You’ll want to get a solid grasp on what data lives where in your ERP system. For example, consider these questions:

• Does receiving customer orders allocate or reserve stock for the order?
• What is the cost price, and is it the latest or average cost?
• Information on MOQs and order multiples imposed by suppliers. How are lead times set or calculated? Are they at the supplier level or a location product level?
• Is a Bill Of Materials (BOM) used?
• Are there any open purchase orders?

5. Get actionable data, not just the numbers
AI should do more than spit out data – it should give you insights you can act on, like predicting demand or optimizing inventory levels.

6. Check for other useful features
While AI is key, other important software features your supply and demand planning solution should offer – like an executive dashboard, reporting tools, monitoring suppliers, excess redistribution and demand forecasting, should also be considered.

7. Prioritize customer onboarding, support and training
Even the best software is only as good as the team using it. Look for vendors that offer solid onboarding and ongoing support.

8. Data Security and Certifications
Data security should be a top priority when selecting software. Netstock is ISO 27001-certified, ensuring your data is handled with the highest standards of security and compliance. Rest easy knowing your business’s sensitive information is protected.

Choosing software doesn’t have to be complicated. With these tips in mind, you’ll be better equipped to find a demand and supply planning solution that fits your business and helps you grow.

4. Make smarter inventory decisions

Every business wants more cash flow, extra time to focus on growth, and a stronger bottom line. And on a personal level? Less stress, fewer headaches, and more time to focus on what really matters.

The best way to navigate uncertainty in today’s market is to stay prepared. Sounds simple, right? Yet, how often have you found yourself explaining to customers why their orders are delayed?

The right software gives you the visibility and insights you need to make confident, accurate inventory decisions—keeping your supply chain running smoothly, your customers happy, and your team focused on success.

With AI built into your inventory planning software – you’re armed with the right tools to:

Manage risk proactively: Demand and supply planning software can proactively identify and mitigate risks before they escalate into major disruptions. By analyzing historical data, market trends, and external factors, the software provides early warning signs of potential problems and predictive recommendations.

Netstock’s single-view dashboard gives you complete visibility of your inventory.

Full team alignment: Full team alignment ensures that all departments—sales, procurement, and finance—work from a single, unified strategy. This collaborative approach enables smarter, data-driven inventory decisions and helps the business respond more effectively to market changes. With everyone on the same page, decision-making becomes faster and more accurate.

Netstock’s S&OP approach ensures that all parts of your business are on the same page

Unlock cash from your inventory: By optimizing your current inventory and minimizing excess stock, you’ll unlock valuable cash hidden within your inventory. Through meticulous analysis of demand patterns, lead times, and inventory holding costs, AI algorithms pinpoint opportunities to reduce excess inventory, free up working capital, and enhance cash flow.

Netstock’s Excess Redistribution redistributes inventory where it’s needed most

5. Planning for tomorrow with Netstock

Staying competitive means staying ahead. As supply and demand planning evolves, businesses that embrace innovation will thrive.

At Netstock, innovation is in our DNA. From day one, we’ve been dedicated to helping SMBs manage inventory smarter, compete on a larger scale, and adapt to change with ease. Our AI tools are the next step in this journey—bringing advanced technology that evolves with your business, delivering smarter insights, and keeping you one step ahead.

Why Netstock’s AI?

• Not just any AI: Netstock AI is built on decades of inventory expertise, giving you a trusted inventory expert on your team.
• Data you can trust: Our responsible AI approach keeps your data secure within the Netstock ecosystem.
• Always evolving: We innovate our software continuously, helping you adapt to market changes and compete with enterprise-level businesses.
• AI that works for you: Purpose-built, easy to use, and designed for real, measurable results.
• Move faster, stay ahead: Netstock AI gives you the agility and speed to market you need. .

Integrating artificial intelligence is a fundamental aspect of Netstock’s ongoing product roadmap. We aim to harness the value of AI and apply it responsibly to deliver meaningful supply and demand capabilities to our customers. Our mission remains committed to empowering our customers with the best-in-breed solutions so they can be market-ready, agile, and profitable – Barry Kukkuk, CTO and co-founder at Netstock.

Your competitors are investing in AI. Do you want to be left behind?