FourKites adds live logistics links to Inventory Twin

FourKites has added new functions to its Inventory Twin product, aiming to link supply chain planning more closely with real-time logistics execution.

The update addresses a longstanding issue for Sales and Operations Planning teams, which often rely on periodic forecasts and static inventory data while logistics operations shift continuously with shipment movements, carrier updates and disruptions at facilities and ports.

In practice, that gap can leave planners unaware of inventory problems until service levels are already under pressure. The revised system feeds live execution data into inventory planning, allowing users to see the effect of delays, missed pickups and other disruptions earlier.

Risk visibility

Inventory Twin monitors on-hand stock, inbound supply, goods in transit and outbound demand across a customer's network. When projected inventory falls below safety stock, it can flag the risk as much as 14 days ahead and identify the affected products, facilities and customer orders, along with the revenue exposure.

An Inventory Risk Dashboard provides a live heat map by product category and tracks measures including Case Fill Rate, Projected Days of Supply, Orders At Risk, Stock-Out Value and Inventory Turns.

Many planning systems still rely heavily on data pulled from enterprise resource planning platforms at fixed intervals. By contrast, transport execution teams work with a constant stream of updates from shipments, carriers and sites, creating a timing mismatch that can hinder decisions on replenishment and customer commitments.

Mitigation tools

FourKites also introduced a recommendation engine that responds when a risk is detected. The system assesses stock levels, surplus inventory at nearby facilities, demand forecasts and inbound supply across a six-month horizon, then ranks possible responses by cost, speed and effect across the wider network.

Planners can compare inventory positions across as many as five distribution centres at once. Those views can be ordered by proximity to the site facing a shortage and analysed across daily, weekly and monthly time horizons.

The aim is to support transfer decisions based on projected stock positions rather than a snapshot of current inventory. For companies managing distributed warehouse networks, that distinction can determine whether stock is moved early enough to avoid a shortage or excess handling costs.

Execution link

Another part of the update connects planning decisions directly to freight booking and shipment tracking. If a planner accepts a stock transfer recommendation, the action moves into FourKites Booking Connect, where a carrier is selected, the freight is booked and tracking begins within the same system.

This is designed to reduce hand-offs between planning and logistics teams, where decisions can otherwise sit in spreadsheets or email chains before any physical movement is arranged. FourKites describes the workflow as a closed loop between demand signals, shipment status, freight execution and updated inventory projections.

The enhanced Inventory Twin functions are now generally available within FourKites' Intelligent Control Tower. The company says it processes more than 3.2 million supply chain events each day and works with more than 1,600 global brands.

Matt Elenjickal outlined the company's view of the market problem in a statement on the launch.

"The supply chain industry has spent decades building planning tools and execution tools separately, then wondering why they do not talk to each other. S&OP was designed for a world of monthly planning cycles. Supply chains move in real time. Inventory Twin brings execution reality into the planning process, so when a disruption happens, the planner sees the impact, gets a recommended fix, and executes it immediately. That is what S&OP should have always been," said Matt Elenjickal, Chief Executive Officer and Founder, FourKites.