Alloy.ai Helps Cascades Achieve Real-Time Visibility into Inventory at 20,000+ Retail Stores
Cascades, a leader in sustainable packaging and hygiene solutions, faced mounting challenges in managing its supply chain in an increasingly complex and unpredictable environment.
Xavier Duprat, the brand’s Vice President of Supply Chain Planning and Fulfillment, spearheaded the company’s adoption of Alloy.ai — a platform purpose-built for consumer brands that connects to 100s of data sources (retailers, distributors, ecommerce) in order to give brands a complete view of demand and inventory across their business. Xavier immediately understood how Alloy.ai could help improve the company’s demand planning and supply chain decisions.
Xavier Duprat
Vice President of Supply Chain Planning and Fulfillment
Navigating Data Complexity
For Cascades, fluctuations in consumer demand were compounded by the complexity of data management and the necessity of forward-looking planning. As Xavier explains, “The triggers for the evolution and the importance of demand planning stem from all the disruptions we face. Customer expectations are increasing, and the amount of data complexity is driving the need to be forward-looking in all processes.”
However, despite their efforts, Cascades was often limited by the data available within the “four walls” of the organization. “We’ve done a lot of improvement in understanding and measuring everything internally,” Xavier said, “but the need to extend that for end-to-end visibility is paramount.”
Alloy.ai for Better Supply Chain Visibility and Efficiency
Cascades began exploring solutions that could provide the necessary external data integration and real-time visibility. After evaluating several options, the company partnered with Alloy.ai in December of 2023, impressed by its ability to connect disparate data sources and provide a comprehensive view of the supply chain.
The decision to go with Alloy.ai was driven by its proven track record and the speed at which it could be implemented. “In three months, we did what would have taken us probably years,” Xavier Duprat shared. Alloy.ai’s ability to connect multiple retailer data feeds into a single platform allowed Cascades to gain daily visibility into critical signals, such as POS and stock levels, across over 20,000 stores in near real-time. This capability was a game-changer for the company, enabling them to track demand fluctuations and make informed decisions quickly.
One of the standout features of Alloy.ai for Cascades was its ability to provide a clear view of unconstrained demand. “We can see the lost sales driven by the POS as well,” Xavier explains, “and then we get the real unconstrained demand, which should go into the demand planning process.” This level of visibility was previously unattainable, and it has improved Cascades’ ability to react to sudden changes in the market.
"In three months, we did what would have taken us probably years."
A Fast and Easy Implementation
Xavier described the smooth and fast rollout of Alloy.ai as a “crawl, walk, run” approach, beginning with three retailers and gradually expanding as the system proved its value. “We did the integrity testing and everything took about three weeks, and then we were up and going,” he said.
Alloy.ai’s pre-existing retailer connections and robust data validation processes further streamlined the implementation. Xavier highlights, “Alloy.ai already has most of the retailer connections preset. So it’s about validating master data, validating the translation between calendars, between products, units of measures, and so on. But it’s really fast.”
Transformative Impact on Demand Planning and Supply Chain Management
The most immediate impacts have been improvements in demand planning and overall supply chain management. Enhanced visibility with real-time data, allows Cascades to make more informed decisions and react quickly to changes in the market.
“The real signal is the POS. It’s happening at the store level,” Xavier emphasized. “We need to look at it every day, at every store in the country, and that’s where you get the value and the benefits.”
And, importantly, Alloy.ai has allowed Cascades to strengthen relationships with its retail partners. By sharing real-time data and aligning on demand signals, Cascades and its retailers are better equipped to meet consumer needs and avoid stockouts or overstock situations. This collaborative approach has been crucial in navigating the complexities of the modern supply chain.