This podcast is part of a special series featuring the 2022 finalist teams for the INFORMS Franz Edelman Award for Achievement in Advanced Analytics, Operations Research, and Management Science, the most prestigious award for achievement in the practice of O.R. and advanced analytics.

For more than four decades, the Edelman Award has recognized contributions that are transforming how we approach some of the world’s most complex problems. Finalists for the Edelman Award have contributed to a cumulative impact of more than $336 billion since the award’s inception, as well as countless other nonmonetary benefits. The winner of this year’s award will be announced at 2022 INFORMS Business Analytics Conference, April 3-5.

Joining me for this episode are Xinhui Zhang, Senior Director, Head of Supply Chain Management and Operations Research Committee, and Yuming Deng, Director, Digital Supply Chain, to discuss their team, Alibaba’s, finalist entry.

Alibaba, which aims to build the future infrastructure of commerce, has designed many multiplatform retail business models. These range from mobile apps to brick-and-mortars and more. Merchandise on Alibaba’s platforms covers general supplies to fresh produce. Each of these different channels and their products brings unique features regarding demand forecast and inventory management. These challenges are being solved through a series of algorithms to align supply with demand, which in turn has had a significant impact on the business.