First Transparency, Then AI: Perzeptron Focuses on Supply Chain Optimization
Many companies are investing in artificial intelligence—but in doing so, they overlook untapped potential in their supply chains. Perzeptron explains why transparency and process clarity form the foundation of any cost-effective use of AI.
Industrial companies are currently stepping up their investments in artificial intelligence to boost their productivity. However, according to Perzeptron, it’s worth taking a closer look at their own supply chains first: In many companies, there is significant untapped potential for efficiency gains that can be realized using proven methods—and which, at the same time, lay the groundwork for the meaningful use of AI.
«Many companies today expect AI to solve their efficiency problems,» says Andreas Koch, CEO of Perzeptron. «However, our experience shows that the greatest potential often already lies within the existing supply chain. Automating inefficient processes with AI doesn’t make them better—it just makes them faster. That’s why we don’t start with AI—we start with transparency.»
Efficiency Analysis Instead of Treating Symptoms
Perzeptron begins every optimization project with a structured efficiency analysis. To do this, it evaluates the available data from the existing ERP system. Using approximately 30 key performance indicators, we identify where inefficiencies arise, which processes actually impact performance, and where the greatest economic potential lies. Rather than treating symptoms, we identify and prioritize the root causes of inefficient processes.
A common obstacle in such projects is the assumption that a company’s own master data is not good enough. However, in Perzeptron’s experience, this is often not the case. The efficiency analysis works directly with the existing ERP data. Processes, master data, and transaction data improve systematically during the optimization—data quality, transparency, and process quality thus develop in parallel.
«Many companies believe they don’t have the right data for successful optimization or the use of AI,» explains Koch. «In fact, they usually already have the necessary information. What’s missing is transparency regarding how processes are actually interconnected. That’s exactly what we provide—and this automatically improves data quality as well.»
From Clear Objectives to Better Decisions
Based on these insights, Perzeptron uses its supply chain software, Mig, to provide what is known as “order clarity.” All decision-relevant information from ERP systems and other sources is consolidated. This enables companies to identify early on which orders can be fulfilled on time, where materials are missing, and where action is needed. Decisions can be made more quickly, coordination efforts are reduced, and planning reliability increases.
A customer project illustrates just how significant the impact can be: By combining efficiency analysis, Mig, and optimized workflows, the daily effort required for production planning was reduced from a full-time task to just a few hours. Planning is now completed there by around 10 a.m.—the freed-up capacity is then available to employees for value-added tasks.
AI can only realize its potential on a robust foundation
Only when processes are transparent, information is consistent, and data is reliable can the foundation for the cost-effective use of AI be established. Without this foundation, artificial intelligence often merely automates existing inefficiencies. However, once these conditions are in place, AI can effectively leverage its strengths in specific areas of application.
Perzeptron demonstrates how this approach works in practice with its Occ.AI software. The solution automates the verification of order confirmations, reconciles incoming documents with purchase orders, and detects discrepancies in prices, quantities, or delivery dates within seconds. In a customer project at Electronic Service Willms (ESW), the weekly review effort was reduced from about 25 to 30 hours to less than five hours. At the same time, approximately 85 percent of all order confirmations could be verified fully automatically. This frees up valuable time for purchasing departments to focus on tasks that truly require their attention.
«AI delivers the greatest measurable benefits when companies understand their processes, make decisions based on a reliable information foundation, and can build AI solutions on top of that,» Koch summarizes.
Source: www.perzeptron.de
