Walmart Commerce Technologies makes award winning AI powered logistics product available to all businesses

Walmart is making its AI powered logistics technology - Route Optimisation - available to all businesses as a Software as a Service (SaaS) solution through Walmart Commerce Technologies.

“We have invested significant time, resources and operational knowhow into building solutions like Route Optimisation, but that can be a barrier for many businesses,” says Anshu Bhardwaj, Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Walmart Global Tech and Walmart Commerce Technologies.

“By adopting our at scale, AI powered tech, businesses can eliminate the need and expense of developing their own technology, and instead focus on what they do best – serve their customers."

Route Optimisation provides businesses of all sizes the use of AI driven software to optimise driving routes, pack trailers efficiently and minimise miles traveled.

Using the technology, Walmart says that it avoided 94 million pounds of CO² by eliminating 30 million unnecessary miles driven and optimised routes to bypass 110,000 inefficient paths.

The retailer won the Franz Edelman Awards n 2023 for building and deploying the technology at scale.

Route Optimiation is its second turnkey, white label solution, joining Store Assist, a SaaS technology that provides local fulfilment including shipping, pickup and delivery.

Rise and shine

Walmart has launched an Express On-Demand Early Morning Delivery offering, starting at 6 a.m.

Customers will be able to order products such as baby items, home appliances and work clothes to be delivered in as little as 30 minutes.

Walmart will also add live bait to the service in mid-March from more than 3,000 locations. 

In an online post, the US retail giant said: “Our commitment to convenience extends beyond just the early hours. It’s about making shopping seamless for the customer.”

“With features like Late-Night Express Delivery, Live Shopper for real-time communication with Shoppers and On-Demand Delivery for same-day convenience, Walmart prioritises putting the power in the customers' hands. It’s a superpower that’s simple – all customers need to do is open our app or Walmart.com and begin selecting their items.”

“And for Walmart+ members, standard delivery is always free.”

It added: “As we continue to innovate and accelerate, the message is clear: Shopping should be personal and as tailored to fit your lifestyle as those freshly delivered work shirts.”

“With On-Demand Early Morning Delivery and a suite of other convenient options, we’re making sure you have what you need, when you need it so you can reclaim your time no matter what the clock says.”