Texas-based One Network Enterprises is using generative artificial intelligence (gen AI) to keep users informed of asset status across a supply chain.

The provider of intelligent control towers and a digital supply-chain network has announced the beta release of Neo Assistant, a supply chain AI assistant.

Large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT have taken the world by storm in the past year. However, an effective assistant that can boost a user’s productivity and insights needs to go beyond basic chat functionality. The assistant needs to understand not only the current real-time state of the user’s supply chain but also the possibly unstated intent of what the user is asking for.

Neo Assistant is aware of the real-time status of the user’s supply chain and re-evaluates its assumptions when this changes. It constantly understands problems in the supply chain as they occur and will suggest intelligent and executable smart prescriptions that can be executed with a single click. Smart prescriptions are generated where the user has configured the system to run semi-autonomously rather than fully autonomously to allow users an opportunity to review and channel decisions.

Additionally, it enables adaptive flows where it guides the user through complex dynamic decision-making processes that are difficult to execute with scripted workflows. It also puts real-time visualisations, such as interactive maps, inventory views and so on, into the chat. Finally, it enables an optional voice-driven interface that allows for hands-free use.

Neo Assistant is built on One Network’s digital supply-chain network, and thus inherits its capabilities and characteristics such as respecting multi-party permissions, single-version-of-the-truth and contextual linking to related screens. It builds on Neo’s existing AI and ML capabilities and blends classic optimisation with machine learning.

“A supply-chain assistant with the reasoning of a large language model combined with adaptive flows, prescriptions and visualisation represents a truly new paradigm for decision-making,” said Ranjit Notani, chief technology officer of One. “It provides a radically new user experience. In some ways, it is the most natural interface for adaptive decision making. However, it goes beyond this to guide the user in solving complex multi-step problems in dynamically changing real-time environments.”

One Network (www.onenetwork.com) gives supply chain managers and executives end-to-end visibility and control with one data model and one truth, from raw material to last-kilometre delivery.