Alloy Planning vs Inventory Planner

Alloy Planning is a web-based forecasting and planning platform built for consumer goods brands. It uses retail point-of-sale and channel inventory data to forecast demand down to retailer and SKU-location level, helping teams respond to demand shifts. The platform automatically updates point-of-sale, inventory, and shipment data and flags areas that need attention. Sales and Supply Chain teams can build and track plans together, including consensus demand and inventory plans informed by projections, sales forecasts, promotions, and capacity forecasts. Alloy.ai says its wider data platform combines commerce and inventory information, drawing on integrations for retailers, ecommerce platforms, distributors, 3PLs, and ERPs. It can normalize partner identifiers, units, metrics, calendars, and currencies, and model product movement across manufacturing, warehouses, and retail locations. AI tools include natural-language performance analysis, executive reporting, and preparation of store-level stockout recovery orders for approval. Demand sensing, scenario planning, and hierarchical forecasting are listed. The service runs on the web, and pricing is on request.

Inventory Planner helps retailers, ecommerce brands, wholesalers, and discrete manufacturers forecast demand and decide what inventory to purchase. Its configurable models cover seasonal, non-seasonal, retail, and wholesale products, with automatic adjustments to sales patterns. For new products, forecasts can use sales data from similar items. Purchasing features include supplier management, minimum order quantities, and open-to-buy budgeting. The service recommends purchases and warehouse transfers across multiple locations, with a customizable forecast horizon and no stated SKU limit. Native integrations include Shopify, BigCommerce, Amazon, eBay, Brightpearl, Cin7, QuickBooks, and other sales, management, fulfillment, and accounting systems. Beta Stock Orders and Reports APIs provide real-time account data, but cannot accept product or variant data. It runs on the web and through an API. Pricing is on request; guided implementation and training are required.