LEAD TIME PREDICTION
Predict the Unpredictable: GAINS Lead Time Prediction
Make Confident Commitments. Reduce Risk. Free Up Cash.
Why Lead Time Prediction Matters
In today’s volatile supply chain environment, trusting static ERP lead times or supplier estimates can be a costly mistake. These outdated methods fail to reflect reality—especially when suppliers, regions, and conditions vary widely. The result? Inventory bloat, stockouts, excessive expediting, and lost sales.
Improve Decisions
GAINS Lead Time Prediction uses machine learning (ML) to cut through the noise and deliver item-level, supplier-specific lead time forecasts—even when data is sparse. Whether you’re navigating new supplier relationships, managing long-tail items, or mitigating supply chain disruptions, LTP delivers a critical advantage.
With GAINS, you shift from reactive guesswork to predictive precision.
Who Benefits from GAINS Lead Time Prediction?
GAINS LTP is purpose-built for companies managing high SKU counts, global sourcing, and complex supplier networks. You’re a strong fit if:
You rely on:
- Supplier-provided lead times
- ERP-stored values that are rarely updated or unreliable
- Legacy lead-time calculations from observed receipts
You’re experiencing:
- Long or volatile lead times
- Inventory imbalances and customer service failures
- Frequent expediting or manual PO overrides
Your organization is:
- A distributor, manufacturer, MRO/Spare parts org, or retailer
- Managing imported materials or niche, long-tail suppliers
- Pursuing supply chain modernization or AI initiatives
Results That Speak Volumes: Border States’ Success
Border States, a top 10 U.S. electrical distributor, tackled inconsistent lead times that were causing stockouts and overstock. Their partnership with GAINS yielded measurable success:
65%
improvement in lead time accuracy
31%
reduction in lead time error
$21M
inventory reduction
30%
decrease in expediting costs
“We are changing the game by optimizing inventory, speeding up processes with ML and automation, and leveraging GAINS’ technology and expertise. I’ve never been more excited about the future of our supply chain.”
— Kory Jacobson, Director of Procurement Operations, Border States
How It Works
Smart Lead Time Forecasting Beyond ERP
GAINS Lead Time Prediction is an AI-powered, order-level forecasting service. It replaces unreliable lead times in your ERP with real-time, probabilistic estimates based on:
- Historical receipts and supplier performance
- Vendor-specific metadata
- Current open PO statuses and market context (e.g., shipping mode, geography)
- Predictive features like day of week, item class, and even weather patterns
Accurate Forecasts with Limited Data
Even with limited history, LTP models deliver accurate forecasts by learning from patterns across your item/vendor landscape.
Unlike traditional averages, GAINS:
- Handles sparse data (new items/vendors)
- Reacts quickly to market changes
- Provides transparency into feature importance for explainability
The Impact
With GAINS LTP, you can:
Cut working capital by optimizing inventory
Improve available-to-promise (ATP) and service levels
Reduce reliance on safety stock and expediting
Gain visibility into supplier risk and performance
Make confident decisions faster—with no need to rip and replace existing systems
Embedded in Your Workflow
GAINS Lead Time Prediction is a callable service that integrates into existing planning workflows. A standalone user interface offers governance tools and interpretability, so planners, sourcing teams, and supply chain leaders can act on predictions with confidence—not guesswork.
Ready to See If You’re a Fit?
Start by asking:
- Are your lead times supplier-sourced or ERP-based?
- Do you trust your current lead time values?
- What % of your inventory is imported or globally sourced?
- Are long-tail SKUs or new items disrupting your plans?
If any of these resonate, it’s time to consider GAINS Lead Time Prediction.
Let’s Move Forward—Faster.
No more guessing. No more outdated averages. Just accurate, actionable lead time predictions that drive smarter replenishment, satisfied customers, and stronger margins.
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