How Tesco Enhanced Supply Chain Visibility Using AI

Operating no fewer than 4,250 stores up and down the country, Tesco is the UK’s biggest supermarket chain and one of the largest retailers in the world. 

However, this inevitably means it must look after a vast and increasingly complex global supply chain, meaning obtaining a high level of visibility is all-important

Fortunately, Tesco enjoys assistance from Roambee, whose supply chain visibility and intelligence platform has enabled a reduction in dwell times and enhanced stock accuracy across 3,000 locations.

Roambee’s advanced solution harnesses the power of AI to provide real-time visibility throughout more than 23,000 unique container journeys covering more than 6.21 million miles, spanning an extensive rail and road logistics network.

Real-time visibility

Before striking up a partnership with Roambee, Tesco used third-party data to track thousands of containers across multiple zones, terminals and stores.

However, with Roambee's platform, the Big Four UK supermarkets member enjoys real-time access to container locations, meaning supply chain and operations leaders can verify deliveries, quickly resolve issues and maintain inventory accuracy. 

This has significantly improved operational efficiency and helped resolve issues related to missing deliveries. 

"Roambee's platform has allowed us to track and manage our container movements across rail and road much more effectively,” explains Ben Smith, Head of Primary, Global and Rail Logistics at Tesco.

“We now have more real-time visibility and don't need to rely on third-party data to confirm deliveries and track containers. We can trace the location of our shipments at any time, reducing delivery errors and ensuring our stores are stocked efficiently.

“This real-time insight has allowed us to resolve issues faster, reduce dwell times and increase stock accuracy across our network.”

Heightened security on shipments

As part of its efforts to enhance visibility, Tesco has equipped all its containers in the UK with solar-powered sensors, monitoring groceries and other products which are being shipped 24/7. 

With this integration, Tesco has also heightened security on shipments with real-time security signals, including route deviations, delays and unplanned stoppages.

“By achieving this remarkable level of visibility in container movements and improving stock accuracy on cost-effective but less predictable modes like rail, Tesco has set a new standard for supply chain efficiency,” adds Sanjay Sharma, CEO at Roambee.

“We’re proud to support them with a technology solution that drives success.

“As global supply chains become more interconnected and autonomous, Roambee's platform positions customers to lead this transformation, opening new possibilities for growth and resilience.”

What’s more, Roambee's platform integrates with Tesco's scheduling systems to monitor container movement, arrival, departure times, dwell times and ETAs across its supply chain.

These real-time signals have reduced inefficiencies, eliminating the need for the store to contact multiple departments to track the location of their products, ensuring timely deliveries.

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