Synchronizing product information, inventory management, and order picking using AI and AR for enhanced e-fulfillment efficiency

Unlike large companies that often have the means and resources for e-fulfillment process with automation, Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) encounter challenges in fulfilling the massive orders as they rely on manual operation. While many existing researchers have explored e-fulfillment process enhancement solely, a lack of research regarding process synchronization. E-fulfillment processes are interconnected, suboptimal inventory management will lead to longer order-picking time, as warehouse workers might waste time looking for misplaced items. This has led to a growing shift toward a holistic approach that aims to synchronize e-fulfillment processes for better efficiency. This study introduces an Intelligent E-Fulfillment Synchronization Model (IEFSM). The novelty is Inbound-Inbound synchronization in e-fulfillment processes, through coordinated sequential optimization with closed-loop feedback. It employs Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Augmented Reality (AR) technology to improve the processes of product information preparation, inventory management, and order picking as a holistic framework. The proposed generate attractive product descriptions with the aid of AI. Statistical methods and rule-based calculations are adopted for pricing recommendations and inventory optimization. AR provides real-time support in order picking. A pilot case study demonstrates 88% operational time savings, 9% sales growth, 88% fewer unresolved shortages, 100% picking accuracy and 70% order picking time reduction.