INTERVIEW: OCCUBEE platform – a new product by 3Soft

3Soft is launching OCCUBEE – AI platform for Data-Driven Retail. We talk about the potential of the solution with Michał Koziara, CEO at 3Soft S.A. 

Where did the idea for the OCCUBEE platform come from?

We were driven by a combination of three factors. Firstly, our 17 years of experience in developing IT systems for market leaders. Secondly, the megatrend known as Data-Driven Business, i.e. the use of data and Artificial Intelligence in business. Thirdly, the fact that medium-sized retailers and manufacturers face the same challenges as top market players, but need ready-made IT solutions that guarantee fast implementation and measurable results, without large expenditures.

How does OCCUBEE work?

Based on data and Artificial Intelligence, we improve the supply chain’s performance: from replenishment of stores, through optimal stock levels for offline and online channels, to orders for suppliers and production plans. The OCCUBEE platform automatically converts sales data, information on hundreds or thousands of products and dozens of retail-specific factors into reliable sales forecasts. 

The OCCUBEE platform automatically converts sales data, information on hundreds or thousands of products and dozens of retail-specific factors into reliable sales forecasts. 

Short term sales forecasts for each individual product and store are the starting point for automatic generation of picking lists in warehouses. This ensures optimal stocking of stores while avoiding out-of-stocks and overstocks. Medium term demand forecasts for the market make it possible to ensure optimal stock levels, optimize logistics and warehouse work, automatically generate orders for suppliers and plan production.

What makes OCCUBEE different from other similar solutions?

Although advanced data analytics and Artificial Intelligence have been regarded as megatrends for several years, in retail they are popular mainly in e-commerce. Offline sales and supply chain management processes – that are key for the retail industry –  are still based on manual analyses and Excel.
As for manufacturers, their production plans are drawn up using manually developed sales plans, which are based on sales history and the expertise of managers. Due to the scale of operation and lack of access to data, decisions are often made on the basis of intuition rather than facts.
OCCUBEE allows achieving a higher level of process optimization – making key retail decisions becomes automated on the basis of data and Artificial Intelligence. The platform relies on the data held by every retailer or producer.

OCCUBEE allows achieving a higher level of process optimization – making key retail decisions becomes automated on the basis of data and Artificial Intelligence. The platform relies on the data held by every retailer or producer.

We have built OCCUBEE in close cooperation with retailers and manufacturers. The result is an IT system that is tailored to the specific nature of the industry and which takes into account factors that are critical for achieving market success. This approach requires skillful implementation. Therefore we always start our cooperation from holding business and technology workshops with the client’s team.  During the workshops we analyze the company’s current situation and business objectives. Together we examine the available data and processes, which can be optimized by using Artificial Intelligence.

 What are the benefits of using OCCUBEE?

The use of modern technologies for data collection and processing allows automating key business processes in the retail industry and using the full potential of data. What is more, data analysis does not require purchasing additional equipment for stores, warehouses or production lines. With relatively low expenditures, it is possible to obtain real business benefits that will have a concrete impact on building a competitive advantage.

Data analysis does not require purchasing additional equipment for stores, warehouses or production lines. With relatively low expenditures, it is possible to obtain real business benefits that will have a concrete impact on building a competitive advantage.

I don’t only mean sales increase by minimizing out-of-stocks or loss reduction by reducing overstocks and optimizing stock levels, but also a higher turnover of goods in the warehouse, reduced costs associated with the need to perform changeovers of production lines, and ensuring that required stocks of commodities and packagings are always met.

Isn’t this solution too revolutionary?

OCCUBEE does not require changing business processes. On the contrary, we model real processes in the system. This allows improving sales, as well as minimizing losses and expenses, without making any revolutionary changes.
Launching OCCUBEE does not require any intervention in the transactional systems, which minimizes implementation risk and ensures high business continuity. The data is copied to the MS Azure cloud and the analyzed results are fed to the client architecture systems in the head office, warehouse and stores.
When creating OCCUBEE, we were guided by the idea of providing the business with benefits resulting from sophisticated data analysis without having to explore the secrets of Artificial Intelligence, but at the same time giving our clients full control over the entire supply chain.

More information: www.occubee.com