Tabulating AI Results
Scanning Tech Speeds Inventory Processing
Bridging the Procurement Gap
Take a pragmatic approach to AI
B&H Worldwide, an aerospace logistics company,
By PEDDY HASHEMI , Managing Director, Global Head of Customer Success, SAP Taulia
The B&H Worldwide team uses mobile phones to scan inventory.
implemented AI-driven tire
The most successful procurement companies leverage shared data and technology to make better decisions for both the business and its suppliers. The latest SAP Taulia Annual Survey reflects this priority. Almost half of businesses now identify AI as a strategic focus, a significant increase from 2025. However, there is still a noticeable gap between recognizing AI’s potential and embedding it into everyday ways of working. Those making the greatest progress are taking a pragmatic approach. Rather than looking for one transformational AI project, they are applying AI to solve real business problems. That might mean helping teams identify suppliers who would benefit from early payment, highlighting potential supply chain risks before they become issues, automating routine operational tasks, or providing better insights to support cash flow decisions. These are practical improvements that free up procurement professionals to focus on higher-value conversations with stakeholders and suppliers. Better data, improved forecasting, and more intelligent recommendations allow teams to have more meaningful conversations with suppliers and customers, rather than spending time gathering information or completing manual processes. Of course, technology on its own is not enough. AI needs to be trusted. That means strong governance and transparency around how recommendations are generated. There also needs to be confidence that data is being used responsibly. Organizations that treat AI as a decision-support tool, rather than a decision-maker, are far more likely to drive adoption across procurement and the wider business. Ultimately, AI is another tool that helps people make better decisions. The competitive advantage will not come from simply deploying AI, but from combining it with experienced teams and strong supplier partnerships. Procurement companies that can bring those elements
scanning technology at its New Zealand operations. The initiative, integrated directly into the company’s
proprietary FirstTRAC
platform, reports a 60% reduction in inventory processing times. As aerospace supply chains
face increasing complexity and more stringent compliance demands, B&H Worldwide’s New Zealand station was selected as the global pilot site for this digital transformation. The solution replaces traditional, manual data entry with a mobile-based scanning SDK that utilizes computer vision and optical character recognition to instantly capture critical tire data. The new system allows staff to use smartphones or tablets as high-performance scanners, capable of reading both standard barcodes and tire serial numbers directly from the sidewall. The impact on operational metrics has been immediate: Processing Efficiency: Inventory handling time has dropped from an average of 4 minutes per unit to just 1 minute, achieving a 60% improvement. Precision: Error rates have been slashed by 80-90%, with data accuracy now exceeding 99%. Productivity: Overall units processed per hour have increased by approximately 30%. The technology is embedded within B&H Worldwide’s FirstTRAC WMS platform through a dual-integration approach developed by the IT team. This ensures stock checks, dispatch requests, and bulk inventory uploads are updated in real-time, providing customers with visibility into their high-value assets. The New Zealand pilot serves as the blueprint for a global rollout, with Melbourne, Australia, scheduled as the next site for implementation.
together will be better positioned to improve working capital, build more resilient supply chains, and create lasting value for both their business and their suppliers.
166 Inbound Logistics • July 2026
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