Revolutionary Changes Ahead: How AI is Transforming Masonry Supply Inventory Management in 2024

The masonry supply industry is experiencing a profound digital transformation, with artificial intelligence and automation revolutionizing how businesses manage their inventory operations. In the last 5 years, businesses have identified AI in supply chain management as a key technology to accelerate digital transformation. AI solutions can handle 99% of modern digital automation processes, saving organizations millions of dollars per day in revenue, and 6500+ hours in productivity.

The Current State of Masonry Supply Operations

Traditional masonry supply businesses have long relied on manual inventory tracking methods, often resulting in costly discrepancies and operational inefficiencies. Mason suppliers, above all others, have complex inventory needs. Inventory management has a direct impact on profitability. Control is the name of the game for accurate shipments, on-time deliveries, and efficient replenishment. These challenges are particularly evident for established companies like troffa masonry supply, which has been servicing both commercial and residential customers throughout Long Island since 1972.

The complexity of managing diverse product lines—from paving stones and retaining walls to gravel and stone veneers—requires sophisticated tracking systems that can handle multiple units of measure, varying storage requirements, and complex pricing structures.

AI-Powered Inventory Management Solutions

Generative AI is already transforming inventory management by enabling “Autonomous Inventory Systems”. These are fully automated inventory systems that can make intelligent decisions without human intervention. This level of automation significantly improves efficiency and enhances supply chain resilience.

Modern AI systems excel in several key areas:

• Predictive Analytics: IBM research further underscores AI’s impact, revealing that companies using AI-driven predictive analytics have reduced forecasting errors by at least 20%, significantly reducing costly stock imbalances.
• Real-time Inventory Tracking: WMS systems integrate advanced technologies like RFID, Internet of Things (IoT), and real-time inventory tracking, providing businesses with accurate inventory visibility, automating order picking, and improving shipping accuracy.
• Automated Restocking: Automated restocking alerts ensure popular items are always in stock, preventing missed sales opportunities and improving efficiency.

Warehouse Management System Integration

The latest warehouse management systems (WMS) designed for building supply companies offer remarkable improvements in operational efficiency. Epicor WMS offers a powerful, cloud-based solution to optimize your warehouse. More than just tracking, our system is engineered to deliver measurable results, allowing you to: Improve Inventory Accuracy to 95%+: Eliminate costly discrepancies and help ensure you always know exactly what you have on hand. Increase Productivity by 20–30%: Empower your team to do more in less time with streamlined workflows and real-time guidance. Reduce Shipping Errors by 90%: Deliver the right materials the first time, every time, boosting customer satisfaction and reducing costly returns.

These systems provide comprehensive mobile capabilities, allowing warehouse staff to scan products, print labels, and verify counts directly from handheld devices. Epicor BisTrack includes four connected mobile apps—Count, Picking, Receipt, and Stock—that track inventory live across sites. Your warehouse staff can scan products, print labels, and verify counts directly from their phones, keeping all your branches aligned on SKUs, pricing, and bins.

The Growing Market Impact

The investment in AI-driven supply chain solutions is accelerating rapidly. According to Grand View Research, the global artificial intelligence in supply chain market size was estimated at US$ 5.05 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 38.9% from 2024 to 2030. The SNS Insider report indicates slightly lower number. It found that the Artificial Intelligence in Supply Chain Market reached US$ 4.7 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to US$ 89.4 billion by 2032, achieving a CAGR of 38.73% over the forecast period from 2024 to 2032.

KPMG estimated that 50% of supply chain organizations in 2024 invested in applications that support artificial intelligence and advanced analytics capabilities. This widespread adoption demonstrates the critical importance of digital transformation in maintaining competitive advantage.

Benefits for Masonry Supply Businesses

The transformation delivers tangible benefits across multiple operational areas:

• Enhanced Customer Service: Real-time Inventory Visibility: WMS solutions provide accurate real-time tracking of inventory, preventing costly stockouts or overstocking and ensuring smooth, efficient operations. Faster Order Fulfillment: Automated workflows enable quicker processing and shipping, meeting the rising customer demand for same-day or next-day delivery. Accurate Order Picking and Packing: A WMS minimizes errors, ensuring that customers receive the correct products, boosting satisfaction.
• Cost Optimization: McKinsey research highlights reductions in logistics costs by 15%, improvements in inventory accuracy by 35%, and service level enhancements of up to 65%.
• Operational Efficiency: AI-driven systems can manage inventory, process documents, and streamline communications, allowing employees to focus on strategic, high-value activities.

Looking Forward: The Future of Masonry Supply

Warehouse Automation: AI-driven robots and automation systems will continue to transform warehouses, improving order picking, packing, and inventory management processes. Given these benefits, it’s not hard to imagine the global robots industry growing from $55.8 billion in 2022 to $91.8 billion in 2026.

For masonry supply companies, embracing these technologies isn’t just about staying current—it’s about survival in an increasingly competitive marketplace. As global supply chains continue to evolve, the integration of advanced technologies is no longer optional—it is a necessity for survival and competitive advantage. AI-driven predictive analytics, IoT-enabled real-time monitoring, digital twins, and automation are reshaping logistics by enhancing efficiency, agility, and transparency.

The masonry supply industry stands at a pivotal moment. Companies that invest in AI-powered inventory management systems today will be positioned to deliver superior customer service, reduce operational costs, and maintain competitive advantage in the years ahead. The question isn’t whether to embrace this digital transformation—it’s how quickly businesses can implement these game-changing technologies.