8 solutions for AI-powered inventory management

Stocktaking no longer has to be done by hand. A growing number of AI-powered systems capture inventory levels, forecast demand, and trigger reorders automatically. We present eight solutions – and show how they work and which companies they are best suited for.

In many companies, stocktaking has long since ceased to be an annual counting exercise and has become a continuous, data-driven process.

What remained open there was the practical question: which systems actually do this work?

The market has grown noticeably. AI-powered solutions combine machine learning with technologies such as robotics and IoT, automating inventory-related processes – from data capture and demand forecasting through to reordering. The following overview profiles eight solutions: from major platforms and providers with a strong focus on the German market to specialists in individual technologies and sectors.

Before looking at individual providers, it is worth considering the shared benefits of strong systems. Providers regularly cite four advantages:

• greater accuracy through real-time data capture, resulting in fewer stockouts and overstock situations
• greater efficiency, as automation frees up staff for higher-value tasks
• cost benefits and scalability through optimized inventory levels and modular tools
• better decision-making through predictive analytics

The common thread is the shift from reactive to proactive inventory management.

1) SAP: The software group offers tools for inventory and supply chain management that use machine learning to develop highly efficient slotting rules and integrate with the broader SAP supply chain suite. Well suited to large enterprises seeking granular control over inventory and logistics.

2) Microsoft Dynamics 365 Supply Chain Management: The solution is supported by the AI assistant Copilot, which helps with forecasting, planning, and unexpected disruptions; training materials and built-in assistants simplify setup. Well suited to companies looking for ease of use and a broad feature set at a competitive price point.

3) Blue Yonder: The platform uses AI and machine learning to deliver cost-reducing improvements quickly. It does this by grouping products, channels, and markets, dynamically allocating inventory, and simultaneously optimizing for both return on investment and customer experience. Well suited to companies seeking optimization potential at every point in the supply chain.

4) RELEX: The Wiesbaden-based provider is one of the leading solutions for retail and supply chain planning in Europe. Its cloud-based software combines AI-driven sales forecasting with inventory optimization and automated replenishment, and also covers assortment, space, and workforce planning. The solution is widely used in German retail – by Thalia, Hornbach, Edeka, and JYSK, among others. Well suited to retail companies seeking store-level control over forecasting and replenishment.

5) Netstock: Designed for small and medium-sized businesses, this solution is tightly integrated with ERP systems. It covers sales forecasting, promotion planning, and inventory health monitoring, triggering reorders directly within the ERP. The provider is represented in German-speaking markets through NetStock Europe GmbH in Nuremberg. Well suited to small and medium-sized businesses looking for straightforward, AI-powered reordering with solid ERP connectivity.

6) INFORM (ADD*ONE): Founded in Aachen in 1969, INFORM combines artificial intelligence with operations research methods. Its ADD*ONE solution enhances ERP and merchandise management systems with forecasting capabilities, optimization algorithms, and controlling dashboards, accounting for parameters ranging from minimum order quantities and discount structures through to target service levels. Well suited to retail and industrial companies seeking to optimize their inventory without replacing their existing ERP.

7) Manhattan Active: This solution relies on RFID-based in-store inventory tracking and supplements it with a wide range of omnichannel capabilities, including curbside pick-up. Well suited to retailers managing inventory across multiple channels who want to optimize fulfillment processes across store locations.

8) Nextail: This provider specializes in distributing the right products in the right quantities to individual store locations – particularly for fashion retailers managing many sizes and turning over their collections quickly. The software plans variants and sizes by store, recommends which items should be transferred between stores or from the distribution center to retail locations, and optimizes the assortment. Well suited to fashion and apparel brands that need to distribute products precisely across many locations.

The right solution depends on context. Major platforms such as SAP, Microsoft Dynamics 365, and Blue Yonder come into their own in complex, enterprise-wide supply chains. Providers with a focus on the German market – such as RELEX, Netstock, and INFORM – stand out for their local presence, German-language support, and straightforward integration with widely used ERP systems. Specialists such as Manhattan Active or Nextail address a specific technology or sector and can often be deployed alongside existing systems. What all of them share is a clear direction: the era of disconnected spreadsheets and rigid reorder points is drawing to a close – AI-powered inventory management is becoming a baseline requirement for competitive retail.