In response to increasing regulatory scrutiny on global supply chains, Retraced has launched an innovative artificial intelligence (AI) feature that enables fashion brands to expedite the review of supplier documentation associated with purchase orders.
The Düsseldorf-based traceability platform has unveiled a tool named Tracing AI, which automatically examines documents submitted by suppliers and identifies discrepancies in supplier names, product specifications, and quantities. This cutting-edge system is integrated into Retraced’s existing purchase order workflow and is now accessible to its clients.
“Traceability has been historically constrained by the time and expertise needed to scrutinize chain of custody documentation,” explained Philipp Mayer, co-founder and chief product officer at Retraced. “With Tracing AI, we assist brands and supply chain partners in identifying discrepancies across vast amounts of data, including documents in foreign languages. Our aim is to significantly minimize manual effort and offer structured guidance for risk assessment. By automatically highlighting potential problems, teams can focus their expertise where it will have the greatest impact.”
Retraced notes that manual checks for documents related to a single purchase order can take up to 90 minutes. However, their AI system can shorten this duration to approximately 10 minutes by automatically evaluating uploaded files and generating a validation summary that highlights potential risks or data gaps.
This system is designed to help brands enhance their supply chain documentation processes as traceability initiatives extend beyond primary suppliers to deeper production tiers.
“Regulations regarding forced labor have raised the standards for chain of custody traceability, but the manual workload this creates is no longer sustainable for brands or suppliers,” emphasized Lukas Puender, chief executive officer and co-founder of Retraced. “Our Tracing AI was developed to directly address this challenge. It offers brands and suppliers a more efficient means of reviewing documentation. Instead of taking 90 minutes, validation of purchase orders can now be completed in just 10 minutes. This advancement allows our industry to trace deeper and act more swiftly, particularly amidst regulatory pressures.”
The tool is capable of analyzing documents in multiple languages and automatically verifying supplier submissions against anticipated purchase order details.
One of Retraced’s clients, Tom Tailor, is currently piloting this feature.
“Tracing AI revolutionizes how we approach supply chain transparency,” stated Dejan Veselinovic, senior specialist for sustainability and corporate responsibility at Tom Tailor. “By automatically processing uploaded documents and conducting plausibility checks, it simplifies complex workflows and conserves valuable time.”
Retraced reports that over 150 brands utilize its platform to connect with around 25,000 suppliers worldwide.
In conclusion, the introduction of Tracing AI by Retraced marks a significant advancement in the realm of supply chain traceability. By streamlining documentation processes, this tool not only enhances efficiency but also empowers brands to respond swiftly to regulatory demands, paving the way for a more transparent and responsible industry.
