Keychain launches an AI operating system for CPG manufacturers

It is therefore logical that the keychain would try to take part of this market share, especially since they already help CPG manufacturers with their research and cataloging software of current products.

Unlike the current ERP market, Keychainos is presented as an alternative faster and specific to CPG to systems like Oracle, Qad and Plex, which often require months of configuration and multiple additional modules before becoming fully usable.

The financing round was led by Wellington Management with the participation of Boxgroup and other existing investors, which brought the total capital of the holes raised to $ 68 million only 18 months after the launch.

Relying on a successful initial deployment

The story of Keychain began with a narrower entry point in the CPG supply chain.

“We started with great vision: building the operating system for CPG. Our first product was a Research and discovery tool Thus, brands and retailers could find manufacturers, “said Hanrahan in a video call interview with Venturebeat recently.

This initial product increased quickly with More than 20,000 brands and retailers as customers, thousands of manufacturers – and more than a billion dollars in volume of research and discovery per month.

In fact, the key trousseau declares that it is currently used by 8 of the 10 best American retailers and 7 of the 10 best CPG brands, including 7-Eleven, Whole Foods and General Mills.

Expansion in ERP

Keychainos extends beyond the supply in the main functions of manufacturing operations.

Hanrahan stressed that expansion is based on the existing Keychain customers.

Unlike traditional ERP systems, Keychainos is designed to be implemented in days and fits perfectly with Keychain’s supply platform.

The system meets a Hanrahan need says it hears directly from the market.

“Every four to eight weeks, we organize industry dinners with 80 to 200 people,” he told Venturebeat. “A constant theme is how difficult it is to personalize non-CPG software to manage a factory and the lack of connectivity between food security, supply, planning and cost accounting.”

Keychainos was born to solve these difficulties much faster, effectively and gently.

“We start with customers who already use us for research and discovery – people pay us millions of people. It is a natural expansion, ”proposed Hanrahan. “In the end, it will be everywhere – like water. We have already made teams snatch existing food security software and replace it with the case operating system. »»

Use of AI to increase the verification of food and manufacturing security processes

One of the ways in which Keychainos differs from the inherited ERP platforms is the way in which he manages data. Traditional systems often require in -depth manual entry, which can slow down operations and introduce errors.

“The tools are fragmented and difficult to use”, ” Hanrahan said. “Today, waiting is interfaces in natural language and ingestion of automated data – no breaking a keyboard to enter data.”

This reflects a design choice to minimize the repetitive input by allowing the system to capture and organize information in the background.

The company also widens how workers interact with the software in the factory board. Currently, the primary interface is to type on a screen through tablets placed in production environments. However, the Trousseau is built towards a multimodal entrance.

“On the floor, the main interface is to be tapped on a screen – it is on the screen, press and type – while we add computer vision, connected scales and voice,” Hanrahan explained. This means that over time, installations may automatically record temperatures, weights or other production data without manual input.

Another characteristic of Keychainos is the use of adaptive control lists powered by AI.

Instead of static forms based on paper where workers check boxes regardless of the context, the system can adjust depending on the responses.

For example, If an operator records that two lots of a product or component have been mixed, the software automatically invites the additional required steps, Rather than leaving this chance compliance process.

This allows food security audits and quality controls to be both standardized and reactive, ensuring that no step is missed in daily operations.

Competitive positioning

The change puts in competition with large inherited ERP sellers. But Hanrahan thinks that new Keychainos arrive at a time when manufacturers cry for alternatives.

“We believe that the moment is there to build a better a-native ERP without the 14 lists and 17 check boxes that people hate traditional SaaS”, “ He said.

The company bets that its vertical concentration and its capabilities of AI will appeal to the manufacturers of fragmented software.

Instead of gathering different tools, Keychainos offers integrated modules for compliance, planning and traceability, with the possibility of sharing data in the supply chain.

Perspective of customers and investors

Whole Foods Market is one of the retailers who already use. Tom Hermes, vice-president of product supply and development, said the tool helps its teams to identify potential manufacturers that can meet the development requirements of new products.

Wellington Management Molly Breiner praised to combine speed and substance in its growth, Noting that the company reshapes the CPG supply chain in something more efficient and connected.

With its new financing, Keynchain plans to develop in additional consumer goods categories and to expand its AI capabilities. He recently entered the beauty and personal care sector, reflecting his broader applicability beyond food and drinks.

Manufacturers, brands and interested retailers can apply to reach Keychain.com.

Daily information on business use cases with VB daily

If you want to impress your boss, VB Daily has covered you. We give you the interior scoop on what companies do with a generative AI, from regulatory changes to practical deployments, so that you can share information for a maximum return on investment.

Read our privacy policy

Thank you for subscribing. Discover more VB newsletters here.

An error occurred.