Boston – September 13, 2017 – ToolsGroup announces a major new release of its AI supply chain planning software, SO99+ 8.0, bolstered by a new technology integration with Microsoft. With this release, ToolsGroup migrates its software to Microsoft Azure and its machine learning engine to Microsoft AI – an open artificial intelligence (AI) and cognitive computing platform.
Version 8.0 makes innovative advanced analytics solutions accessible to a much broader audience, including both larger organizations wishing to enhance their legacy investments and mid-tier companies looking for competitive advantage. It is an important step in productizing machine learning for a wide range of business environments.
SO99+ 8.0 will be generally available beginning October 16, 2017.
Building on early first-mover advantage
Starting seven years ago, ToolsGroup was the first SCP vendor to introduce AI supply chain planning software to the market, and has led in machine learning in supply chain planning. Gartner Research showcased it in a customer case study of a multinational food company’s highly successful promotions forecasting and management using ToolsGroup software. In the ensuing years, companies such as HVAC manufacturer Lennox, automobile producer Aston Martin, and medical device vertically-integrated retailer Amplifon have adopted ToolsGroup machine learning technology. ToolsGroup has added new applications and refined their adaptability and robustness. ToolsGroup’s machine learning-based application products now include:- Trade promotion and media forecasting
- New product introduction (NPI)
- Extreme or complex seasonality
- Demand sensing and social sensing
AI-driven Supply Chain Planning in the Cloud
ToolsGroup SO99+ 8.0 has a new SaaS architecture, delivery approach and takes full advantage of Microsoft Azure. ToolsGroup’s database of reference is now cloud-native and optimized in Azure for such IT benefits as enhanced scalability, performance and mobility. Azure serves ToolsGroup’s data-intensive solutions like Point-of-Sale (POS) demand sensing. Azure’s ability to scale fast, handle high data volumes and accept non-traditional inputs like social feeds and weather forecasts makes it perfect for handling big and complex supply chain data. SO99+ 8.0 includes an upgraded user interface that features intuitive network status visualization, integrated alerting and embedded live dashboards, with all navigation originating from the web.Microsoft supply chain service provider
With SO99+ 8.0, ToolsGroup becomes a Microsoft service provider of advanced supply chain optimization and a supply chain reference partner. Roberto Filipelli, Cloud & Enterprise – Partner Development Director Microsoft Apps, calls the relationship “a perfect fit between a platform company and ToolsGroup’s ‘killer’ supply chain planning solution that supports multiple industries.” Akshey Gupta, director, Microsoft AI at Microsoft Corp. adds, “Supply chains are getting more complex and ToolsGroup provides one of the best supply chain analytics solutions today. ToolsGroup’s deep analytical skills combined with Microsoft’s listening and learning platform create collaborative solutions that adapt to changing supply chain environments.”Other improvements
Other improvements to ToolsGroup SO99+ 8.0 release include:- Enhanced data modeling for what-if analysis as part of in-memory S&OP
- New budgeting and S&OP functionality to support merchandising of rapidly evolving product portfolios such as e-commerce catalogues and fashion products
- Enhanced functionality for reverse logistics, returns and repairs management
- Forecasting enhancements for extremely slow moving (i.e. “deep long tail”) items in highly fragmented demand streams
- Increased supply chain monitoring
