Enhancing inventory flow for a North American beverage leader

24/7 automation ensures accurate inventory across 30,000 routes
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5 min read
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Overview

A leading North American beverage company struggled with missing inventory data that disrupted warehouse planning and operations. Incomplete inventory files sent to their system created significant challenges for accurate stock management across their distribution network. Though the company had implemented alert monitoring, the manual correction process consumed valuable resources and created delays that impacted operational efficiency.

The beverage leader partnered with HCLTech to transform through . By implementing a dedicated solution that provides 24/7 monitoring and automatic correction of inventory data issues, the company now successfully manages over 30,000 routes monthly, preventing hundreds of potential incidents.

The Challenge

Streamlining inventory planning through data consistency

The beverage company faced critical inventory management challenges that threatened operational efficiency:

  • Data consistency problems: The release route function in their route manager application posted inventory files with occasionally missing data to SAMBA for SAP reporting
  • Manual correction burden: Inventory files required manual corrections each month, consuming significant time and resources
  • Operational delays: The 15-minute monitoring script alerted the functional team, but the correction process created delays that disrupted warehouse inventory planning
  • Resource constraints: Manual interventions diverted team members from higher-value activities and created operational bottlenecks
  • Accuracy concerns: Human intervention in the correction process introduced the potential for additional errors

These challenges created a ripple effect throughout the supply chain, with inventory planning difficulties leading to potential delivery disruptions and inefficient resource allocation across warehouse operations.

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The Solution

Driving efficiency with automated inventory management

We implemented a comprehensive automation solution that transformed the beverage company's inventory management capabilities:

  • Intelligent BOT monitoring: Developed a dedicated BOT that continuously monitors inventory file size alerts from the Route Manager system, ensuring immediate detection of data issues
  • Automated correction workflow: Programmed the BOT to automatically initiate the route release process whenever incorrect inventory files are detected, eliminating manual intervention requirements
  • Prioritized data validation: Designed the system to ensure the release route function receives top priority, guaranteeing complete inventory data before drivers commence deliveries
  • Real-time communication: Implemented automatic notification capabilities that provide the team with detailed summaries of all BOT actions, maintaining complete transparency across operations
  • 24/7 operational coverage: Established continuous monitoring that functions around the clock, eliminating gaps in inventory data oversight

This solution seamlessly integrated with existing systems while providing a scalable foundation for ongoing inventory management improvements.

The Solution
The Solution

The Impact

Transforming operations with enhanced efficiency

Our automated inventory management solution delivered significant, measurable benefits:

The Impact
  • 800+ annual hours saved: Automation eliminated time-consuming manual corrections, allowing team members to focus on higher-value activities
  • 350+ incidents prevented: The system successfully avoids hundreds of potential inventory issues annually through proactive monitoring and correction
  • Continuous operational coverage: 24/7 monitoring ensures consistent inventory data integrity every 15 minutes without requiring staff intervention
  • Improved warehouse planning: Accurate inventory data enables more efficient resource allocation and distribution planning across operations
  • Enhanced data accuracy: Over 30,000 routes released monthly now contain complete, accurate inventory data, eliminating planning disruptions

Beyond the Numbers

This transformation changed how the beverage company manages inventory data. The shift from reactive, manual corrections to proactive, automated monitoring creates a more resilient operational foundation that supports their extensive distribution network.

With reliable inventory data consistently flowing through their systems, the company can now focus on strategic improvements rather than tactical corrections, positioning them for continued operational excellence.

Celebrating Success

HCLTech remains committed to helping organizations transform operations through intelligent automation solutions. Our partnership with this North American beverage leader demonstrates how targeted automation can deliver immediate operational improvements while establishing a foundation for ongoing innovation.

As consumer goods companies continue facing increasing supply chain complexity, this automated inventory management approach provides the reliability and efficiency needed to maintain competitive advantage, enabling the company to focus on delivering exceptional products while optimizing operational resources.