Rising Above Challenges: Brotsüchtig GmbH's Supply Chain Optimisation

Brotsüchtig GmbH is a local bakery renowned for its diverse variety of breads, pastries, and confectionery items. Most of their products are sold through their own four stores, although daily sales figures fluctuate due to various factors. Currently, production planning for the upcoming days is conducted manually, relying on data extracted directly from the point-of-sale (POS) system's user interface (UI). This data is presented in a tabular format, often cluttered with irrelevant information, and because each store operates its own POS system, data must be retrieved individually for each location. This process is messy, complex, time-consuming, and heavily reliant on domain-specific knowledge.

The objective is to streamline and expedite the planning process by preparing and visualising the data in a more efficient manner. By doing so, Brotsüchtig GmbH aims to simplify data retrieval, reduce complexity, and minimise the time required for production planning, ultimately enhancing operational efficiency and decision-making.

The goal was to enhance and streamline the production planning process by leveraging a tool already available to the customer. Consequently, a Power BI report was chosen as an effective means to analyse product sales data from the POS systems. This approach also offers the flexibility to change the data source in the future if the POS system is updated or replaced. Additionally, the report incorporates supplementary data, such as information about upcoming holidays and weather forecasts, which the current product planner has identified as significant factors influencing daily sales.

The Power BI report facilitates comprehensive analysis of sales across all stores on a unified dashboard, presenting only the essential information needed for planning. Users can analyse products individually or by product groups, and utilise date and day filters to examine historical data in greater detail. Through the integration of this planning tool, the customer gained valuable experience and insights into the benefits of digitalisation.

This report represents a crucial first step towards a more efficient planning process, paving the way for semi-automatic planning suggestions in the future. By improving data visualization and analysis, Brotsüchtig GmbH can achieve more accurate and timely production planning, ultimately enhancing overall operational efficiency.

As a result of the service provided by AI5Production to Brotsüchtig GmbH, the company experienced some positive results and benefits:

• Customers' understanding of the potential improvements through digital transformation has significantly increased.

• Detailed information required for the planning process can now be navigated and understood more easily.

• With the introduction of the new report, personnel who previously struggled with the POS system can now participate in production planning, thanks to the report's user-friendly interface.

• Qualitative feedback from users highlighted several key benefits:

  • The daily time required for planning production for the upcoming days has been significantly reduced.

  • Planner bias has been minimized, as actual data from the POS system is now readily available.

  • There is a notable reduction in the amount of baked goods that remain unsold.

  • The work time for bakers has been decreased due to more accurate production estimates, preventing overproduction.

  • The amount of wasted raw materials has been reduced, leading to more efficient resource utilization.

• Prototyping an initial concept for a customer who is uncertain about project expectations is an excellent strategy to stimulate discussions and generate new ideas. This iterative approach serves as a practical tool to bridge the gap between abstract concepts and tangible outcomes, facilitating clearer communication and understanding between the development team and the customer.

• Allowing the customer to interact with an early version of the product offers dual benefits: it provides the customer with valuable hands-on experience, and it establishes effective feedback loops that propel development forward. This approach not only helps clarify the customer's needs and preferences but also ensures the final product is closely aligned with their expectations and requirements.