Macnica begins research and development of demand forecasting AI for store orders with MARUWA UNYU KIKAN CO.,LTD.- Accelerating optimization of personnel and vehicle deployment in logistics center operations -

Macnica (Headquarters: Yokohama City, Kanagawa Prefecture, President: Kazumasa Hara, hereinafter referred to as Macnica), a total service and solution provider in semiconductors, networks, cybersecurity, and AI/IoT, in collaboration with MaruwaUnyuKikanCo. Ltd (Headquarters: Yoshikawa City, Saitama Prefecture, Masaru President Wasami, hereinafter referred to as MARUWA UNYU KIKAN CO.,LTD.) We are pleased to announce that we will start research and development (hereinafter referred to as this project) of AI for demand forecasting of store order volume using CrowdANALYTIX (CrowdANALYTIX), a problem-solving service provided by Macnica utilizing a community of 25,000 data scientists around the world. In this way, we aim to optimize the deployment of people and vehicles in logistics logistics center operations, which form the core of the supply chain.

The Third (3rd) Party Logistics business operated by MARUWA UNYU KIKAN CO.,LTD., Ltd. is faced with labor shortages and vehicle shortages due to the declining birthrate and aging population. In addition, vehicle deployment and staffing operations in logistics center operations are individualized work based on many years of experience and intuition, and the quality of operations varies from center to center. In order to reduce such business risks, it is an urgent task to combine AI and other technologies with operational reforms, promote DX, and consider ways to save labor, improve efficiency, and eliminate the dependence on individual skills.

In this project, we will develop multiple demand forecasting AI models optimized for each target store based on the shipment performance data, store event information, visitor count data, weather and temperature data, etc. for each customer store. After that, we will calculate the order volume forecast result for each store for the next week, taking into account the store scale, delivery shift, product characteristics, etc. In Phase 1, we will verify the accuracy of the order volume prediction AI for specific stores, and then consider (1) optimizing truck dispatch operations, (2) optimizing staff allocation, and (3) improving delivery plans.

Supply chain management requires procurement, production, logistics, and sales to work together to share and coordinate information for overall optimization. Therefore, Macnica will support the creation of new value for MARUWA UNYU KIKAN CO.,LTD. 's clients and the optimization of SCM as a whole, starting with the optimization of personnel allocation and vehicles using the results of demand forecasting through this project. We also plan to support the promotion of SDGs, such as CO2 reduction by optimizing the use of chartered vehicles (outsourced delivery services) and food loss reduction by optimizing inventory management.

■ Simultaneous release of MARUWA UNYU KIKAN CO.,LTD. × Macnica conversation article
In line with this project, MARUWA UNYU KIKAN CO.,LTD. and Macnica held a roundtable discussion. This article summarizes, in a conversational format, the background behind MARUWA UNYU KIKAN CO.,LTD. 's start of DX promotion, its specific initiatives, the circumstances that led to its joint research and development with Macnica, the content of Macnica 's support, and future prospects. Please take a look.
《Click here for details on MARUWA UNYU KIKAN CO.,LTD. × Macnica conversation》
https://www.macnica.co.jp/business/ai/manufacturers/crowdanalytix/case_03.html

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