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From Guesswork to Precision: Real-Time Inventory Positioning with SAP, SAP IBP using Planning in a Box Pi Agent

January 27, 2025 | Manju Devadas

Blog / From Guesswork to Precision: Real-Time Inventory Positioning with SAP, SAP IBP using Planning in a Box Pi Agent

Are You Managing Your Inventory—Or Is It Managing You?

Picture this: a high-demand product goes out of stock, leaving customers frustrated and turning to competitors. Meanwhile, another warehouse overflows with slow-moving inventory, draining resources and inflating carrying costs. It’s the classic inventory nightmare—and it’s happening daily in supply chains worldwide.

For decades, businesses have relied on legacy systems and outdated processes to manage inventory. But in today’s fast-paced, unpredictable markets, these tools are no longer enough. Historical data and static forecasts can’t keep up with real-time shifts in demand, supply disruptions, or the rapid evolution of customer expectations. Planners have been downloading data into excel and running pivot tables to get to decisions and that is not scaling while it has served its purpose. 

The good news? Real-time inventory positioning offers a way out.  Let us make your planners superheroes with Planning in a Box Pi Agent.

SAP IBP: Powerful, But Falling Short on Agility

SAP has long been the backbone of enterprise resource planning, offering robust tools for inventory management and optimization. SAP IBP builds on these capabilities, providing advanced functions for demand and supply planning.

Yet, even with these tools, many businesses struggle to achieve the speed and precision they need. Why?

  1. Siloed Data: SAP systems often operate in isolation, limiting visibility across the supply chain.
  2. Forecast Reliance: SAP IBP leans heavily on historical data and models, making it challenging to adapt to real-time changes.
  3. Missed Opportunities: Without connecting supply chain data to sales, marketing, and customer insights, decisions lack full context.

These gaps lead to overstocking, stockouts, and inefficiencies that cost businesses time, money, and customer trust.

The Real-Time Revolution: Why Static Inventory Strategies No Longer Work

In a world where trends shift overnight and disruptions can cripple operations, traditional inventory management methods are too slow and rigid. Real-time inventory positioning flips the script by aligning inventory decisions with live data with Pi Agent.

Here’s how it works:

  • Dynamic Adjustments: Instead of relying on stale forecasts, real-time systems constantly adapt stock levels to current conditions.
  • End-to-End Visibility: Businesses gain a single, accurate view of inventory across warehouses, sales channels, and regions.
  • Proactive Planning: Rather than reacting to problems after they occur, real-time positioning anticipates issues and prevents them.

The results? Streamlined operations, reduced costs, and happier customers. 

Feature Static Inventory Positioning Real-Time Inventory Positioning with Pi Agent
Data Integration Siloed Unified, cross-functional
Decision-Making Speed Reactive Proactive
Forecasting Static, historical Dynamic, real-time
Customer Satisfaction Lower due to stockouts Higher due to better availability
Operational Costs Higher (overstock & waste) Lower

Real-time inventory positioning isn’t just a strategy—it’s the competitive edge every business needs in a hyperconnected world.

Planning in a Box Pi Agent: Real-Time Intelligence for SAP and SAP IBP Users

For SAP users looking to harness the power of real-time inventory positioning, Planning in a Box Pi Agent by Pluto7 is the solution you’ve been waiting for.

This Agentic AI platform combines AI, Gen AI, and machine learning to deliver precise, actionable insights that transform inventory management. Unlike traditional SAP IBP processes, Planning in a Box goes beyond forecasts to provide:

  1. Seamless Data Integration: Pi Agent connects SAP systems with other business functions like sales and marketing, creating a unified view of inventory and demand.
  2. Real-Time Insights: Advanced algorithms analyze live data to deliver up-to-the-minute inventory recommendations.
  3. Smarter Decision-Making: Generative AI personalizes insights to align with your business goals, whether it’s reducing costs, improving service levels, or maximizing profits.

The Benefits of Planning in a Box for SAP Users

Planning in a Box integrates seamlessly with your existing SAP landscape, making implementation smooth and hassle-free. Pi Agent leverages Multi Agents—Ron, Kassy, and Alex—each specializing in specific areas of supply chain planning. These intelligent agents act as the brain of your business systems, providing real-time insights tailored to different operational needs.

  • Real-Time Demand Forecasting: Ron, the demand agent, continuously analyzes market data to align inventory levels with real-world demand, minimizing costly forecasting errors.
  • Enhanced Visibility: Kassy, the inventory agent, provides end-to-end transparency, helping you track stock levels, identify bottlenecks, and make faster, data-driven decisions.
  • Optimized Inventory Levels: Kassy also ensures the perfect balance between stockouts, carrying costs, and service levels for maximum efficiency.
  • Cross-Functional Collaboration: By integrating data across teams, Ron, Kassy, and Alex (the finance agent) ensure supply chain decisions align seamlessly with sales and marketing goals.
  • Faster, Smarter Decisions: With AI-powered insights from Pi Agent and its multi-agent ecosystem, you’ll always stay ahead of the competition.

Real-World Success: Transforming Supply Chains with Pi Agent

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This project never could have been so successful without the extraordinary cooperation and relationship with Pluto7 and Google. From day one, it felt like we were one team, and that camaraderie grew, from the initial model in the Makeathon, to the 60 percent improvements we saw per run in barrelage.

Adam Spunberg
Global Director – Tech Explore

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This project is a great example of how we should be leveraging data and advanced analytics to simplify our processes. A key soundbite for you will be that this project will save over 1,000 hours of workload with our vendors on an annual basis (516 hours/season 2 seasons), in addition to exception management time savings within LS&Co DC’s

John Prendergast
VP, Distribution & Logistics

Companies that adopt Planning in a Box Pi Agent are already seeing tangible results:

  • Retailers like Levi’s, ULTA Beauty are reducing stockouts during peak demand, increasing sales and customer satisfaction.
  • Manufacturers like Lixil, AB InBev are cutting excess inventory, freeing up cash flow for innovation and growth.
  • Hi Tech Companies are tackling semiconductor shortages by ensuring real-time visibility and optimizing critical component allocation.

No matter your industry, real-time inventory positioning is the key to staying competitive in a fast-moving world.

How to Get Started: Best Practices for Real-Time Inventory Positioning

Implementing a real-time inventory strategy doesn’t happen overnight. To ensure success, follow these steps:

  1. Integrate Your Data: Connect SAP, SAP IBP, and other systems to create a unified, accurate data foundation.
  2. Build Dynamic Models: Develop inventory models that can adapt to real-time inputs like demand variability and supply chain disruptions.
  3. Leverage AI: Use platforms like Planning in a Box to automate insights and streamline decision-making.
  4. Train Your Team: Ensure your employees understand how to use new tools and embrace a data-driven approach.

Why Pluto7? Your Partner in Supply Chain Transformation

Pluto7 is a leader in AI-powered supply chain solutions enabling flagship product  Planning in a Box Pi Agent endorsed by Google, Gartner, USC and other organizations, with deep expertise in SAP and SAP IBP. Our team has helped businesses across industries achieve real-time inventory positioning, unlocking new levels of efficiency and profitability.

When you partner with Pluto7, you gain access to cutting-edge tools, proven strategies, and a team of experts dedicated to your success.

Don’t Let Your Inventory Hold You Back

In today’s competitive landscape, relying on outdated inventory strategies is no longer an option. With Planning in a Box Pi Agent, you can go beyond managing inventory—you can master it.

Ready to revolutionize your supply chain? Request a Demo today and take the first step toward real-time inventory excellence.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Manju Devadas is the Founder and CEO of Pluto7, bringing 20+ years of experience in predictive analytics for Supply Chain, Retail and Manufacturing. With expertise in AI, Deep Learning, and Machine Learning, he has been instrumental in improving efficiency and strategic growth across industries.

Connect with Manju on LinkedIn