TCS to deploy AI/ML supply chain platform for American food giant Rich Products

Mumbai based global IT (information technology) services major Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has been picked by Buffalo, New York-based multinational food products manufacturer Rich Products to drive its end-to-end supply chain transformation through building and deploying a cloud-based artificial intelligence/ machine learning platform. 

Rich manufactures products such as cakes, pizza, appetizers and speciality toppings. The company said in a statement that it has seen a significant shift in products, consumption behaviour, delivery channels and consumer experiences.

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Additionally, the pandemic also accelerated the organisation’s need to adopt agile and intelligent supply chain solutions. TCS will help Rich to utilise the data from its ecosystem to garner insights and make more informed decisions on its processes.

“With TCS, Rich’s end-to-end supply chain transformation is focused on harnessing the power of data by adopting agile technologies that will help us optimize operations,” Yexi Liu, chief information officer, Rich Products said.

Getting deeper into the deployment, TCS will use AI/ML based analysis tools with a digital twin foundation to predict issues, risks and opportunities.   

Digital twin refers to a digital representation of the physical supply chain. It is created as a computer program that can be fed with real world data to create simulations and predict outcomes.   

Additionally, Rich will also build scalable integrations between its current IT stack and the new platform from TCS to ensure better visibility and orchestration in end-to-end planning and execution, the company said. The customer, supplier and internal manufacturing centric systems are expected to come together in this regard.   

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"With our offerings we will help Rich’s reimagine its supply chain to drive optimal investment decisions, while enabling faster product innovation and exceptional customer service,” Dave Jordan, global head, consulting and services integration, TCS.   

Rich Products has sales that exceeds $4 billion annual and has its employees working in over 100 locations globally, the company said.