INDUSTRY TRENDS AND INSIGHTS
A collection of articles from around the web providing information and insights in the retail, restaurant, and manufacturing industries.
America's largest private company lays off thousands
Cargill is laying off about 5% of its global workforce as food commodity prices drop (CNN). Click here for the article
Why the US is growing less food
Mark Schneider, Nestle’s recently ousted CEO, steered the world’s biggest food maker through the COVID-19 pandemic, grew margins despite a subsequent supply chain crunch, and pulled off a historic reorganization. Click here for the article from CNBC.
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Coffee market to be in deficit for 5th straight year next season
Brazil’s Arabica production is forecasted to be down 11 million bags from last season due to an extended drought (Invezz) Click here for the article.
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Dollar stores are struggling to win over bargain hunters
​Shares for deeply discounted retailers plunged in 2024 which led to leadership shakeups. (CNBC) Click here for the article.
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Intesource Integrated AI: Driving the Future of the Analytics to Outcomes Innovation Platform
​ Click here for more information.
RECENT SUCCESSES: A SNAPSHOT OF RECENT WINS

PLATFORM ENHANCEMENTS
Component Pricing
As is customary with our development roadmap we again have considered our customers feedback in order to make the user experience as current and efficient as possible. This upcoming quarter we plan on pushing several enhancements that were requested direclty by our clients. One large enhancement will be our new Dynamic Cost Fields functionality. Previously we had enhanced the quote panel to include freight, tax, rebate and packaging in addition to the cost of goods. This month we will be adding dynamic fields. You will now be able to add any cost component (up to 10) that is relevant to your project while also utilizing the traditional fields. Below you will see the view from a vendor quoting with the two dynamic fields of storage and additional fees added.
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This will be compatible with all the current tools such as Max Quote, Market Price, Reserve Pricing, etc. and will integrate seamlessly into the totals for the event
Please Note: INTESOURCE’s web-based platform will be undergoing maintenance and upgrades in February. This MAY require some downtime and limit system access on weekends. INTESOURCE will provide updates of any planned outages..
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Intesource Integrated AI: Driving the Future of the Analytics to Outcomes Innovation Platform
Aligned with our investment and innovation road map, we continually seek, as data people, broader insights and seamless transactional processing, in our actions for more transformative AI to redefine e-sourcing and procurement. Our AI engine, built on generative AI principles, is designed to optimize decision-making, enhance analytics, and automate transactional processes all for the benefit of clients and partners working, buying, and sourcing smarter, more velocity, and deriving greater value.
The Intesource platform leverages machine learning (ML), natural language processing (NLP), and generative AI technologies to address the complexities of modern procurement. Key features of the engine include:
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Predictive Analytics: Using historical data, the engine forecasts trends, identifies potential risks, and recommends strategies for cost optimization.
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Automated Vendor Selection: By analyzing vendor performance, pricing history, and compliance records, the engine facilitates data-driven supplier recommendations.
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Real-Time Insights: Provides real-time dashboards and visualizations, allowing decision-makers to act swiftly and confidently.
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Generative AI for Content and Drafting: Automates the creation of procurement materials, ensuring compliance with client standards while customizing language to meet specific business needs.
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Enhanced User Interaction: With NLP capabilities, the platform enables intuitive interactions, allowing users to query data and receive actionable insights in plain language.
Our Investments: Roadmap for AI Analytics and Transactional Processing
As we look to the future, Intesource is committed to pushing the boundaries of AI-driven innovation. Our roadmap outlines a multi-phase approach to enhance analytics and transactional processing capabilities:
Phase 1: Deep Learning Integration (Q2 2025 – Q4 2025)
Advanced Demand Forecasting: Incorporate deep learning models to predict demand fluctuations with greater precision.
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Dynamic Pricing Analysis: Enable real-time adjustments to sourcing strategies based on market conditions.
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Enhanced Error Detection: Utilize anomaly detection algorithms to identify irregularities and mitigate risks.
Phase 2: Generative AI Expansion (Q4 2025 - Q2 2026)
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Negotiation Simulations: Develop generative AI tools to simulate negotiation scenarios, empowering teams to refine their strategies.
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Smart Contracting: Expand generative capabilities to include dynamic contract amendments and multilingual support.
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Interactive Chatbots: Deploy AI-driven chatbots for 24/7 support, offering tailored recommendations and resolving queries in real time.
Phase 3: Cognitive Automation (Q3 2026 - Q1 2027)
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End-to-End Process Automation**: Automate the entire procurement cycle, from RFP generation to payment processing.
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Self-Learning Systems: Introduce AI systems that continuously learn and adapt to evolving business needs and market trends.
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Collaborative AI Ecosystem: Integrate the Intesource AI engine with partner platforms, creating a seamless ecosystem for e-sourcing and procurement.
Phase 4: AI-Powered Decision Support (Q2 2027 - Beyond)
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Strategic Insight Generation: Develop advanced analytics tools to provide strategic recommendations that align with organizational goals.
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Cross-Industry Benchmarking: Leverage AI to benchmark performance against industry standards and identify best practices.
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Generative Insights: Enable the AI engine to generate innovative solutions and opportunities based on emerging technologies and market shifts.
Intesource – 20+ years of commitment to innovation
We believe that AI is not just a tool but a strategic enabler. Our investments in generative AI and advanced analytics aim to empower organizations to stay ahead in an increasingly competitive landscape. By combining cutting-edge technology with our deep domain expertise, we are building a future where procurement is smarter, faster, and more impactful.
As we continue to execute our roadmap, we remain dedicated to delivering value, fostering innovation, and transforming how businesses approach analytics and transactional processing. You are part of this journey to redefine the future of e-sourcing as we listen, innovate, and enable our mutual industry competitive advantage.