Hershey’s New Analytics Infrastructure Gives Unified View of Data and More AI Opportunities
The Hershey Company is bolstering its analytics infrastructure, implementing a new data architecture to unify and streamline insights and processes.
The CPG has partnered with SAP, leveraging its new functions within its Datasphere data management system to increase efficiency via AI-powered capabilities and dashboards.
Achim Welter, senior director of ERP, digital, and IT strategy, said in a statement that by leveraging the new data architecture in conjunction with S/4 HANA, the company is effectively establishing a modern-day analytics platform with self-service capabilities on trusted data models.
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Leveraging Artificial Intelligence
Hershey gains access to a chat interface through which simulations can be evaluated based on predictive outcomes, with levers to adjust the plan and refine the business strategy. The company can bring in data from across the organization, including its financial and supply chain efforts or business operations.
Taking into account environmental and market changes, Hershey expects to improve decision-making, tapping into AI-powered graphs to identify patterns in the company’s data and tie insights and business processes together.
The investment introduces the opportunity for further integrations with AI, including a generative AI copilot that uses large language models to automatically draft reports and dashboards.
It’s likely Hershey will leverage these new AI integration opportunities, as the company has already been using similar technology to elevate quality control.
During the company’s latest CAGNY presentation, Hershey detailed that its ongoing investment in data visualization within the company’s supply chain has improved line efficiency and pinpointed maintenance needs before they happen.
It has also allowed Hershey to increase capacity, providing more opportunities to invest in R&D and innovation.
The company’s years-long effort in implementing its S/4 ERP will work in conjunction with the SAP Datasphere, and will allow Hershey to implement increased connectivity and use automation to solve problems more efficiently, according to CEO Michele Buck.
