Supply Chain Planning Comparison

O8 Software vs Lokad

Lokad is a supply chain optimisation company built around probabilistic forecasting, quantitative optimisation, and its AI Pilot concept for automating operational supply chain decisions. Each client receives a bespoke AI Pilot crafted by Lokad Supply Chain Scientists using the Envision domain-specific language to generate purchase orders, production orders, stock allocations, and replenishment decisions.

Where Lokad excels

A fair view of their strengths.

  • Genuine probabilistic forecasting with independently verified results — ranked #1 at SKU level in the M5 forecasting competition (909 teams)
  • Goes beyond forecasting to automate actual supply chain decisions including purchase orders, production orders, and stock allocations
  • Strong intellectual positioning and thought leadership with a coherent philosophical framework around probabilistic optimisation
  • Credible named case studies including Worten (17.8% stockout reduction), Tokić (procurement optimisation), and Revima (aerospace MRO)

Where O8 Software differs

How O8 approaches supply planning differently.

  • Lokad builds one bespoke AI Pilot per client using its Envision domain-specific language and Supply Chain Scientists. O8 is a productised, adaptive planning engine designed to learn each customer environment without requiring a specialist modelling engagement — faster to deploy, more repeatable, and not constrained by expert capacity.
  • Lokad's delivery model is inherently limited by the number of Supply Chain Scientists it can employ (~66 people total company size). O8 scales with product, not people — meaning faster onboarding and broader availability.
  • Lokad is a probabilistic optimisation engine that requires deep quantitative expertise to operate. O8 uses targeted ML models designed for specific supply problems — replenishment, production scheduling, distribution — that are accessible to operational planners, not just data scientists.
  • O8 has 25+ years of measured delivery across manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, telecoms, oil and gas, and food and beverage. Lokad's public evidence is concentrated in European retail and automotive with limited independent reviews (only 2 on G2).
  • Lokad positions itself as going beyond human intelligence with bespoke AI Pilots. O8 takes a practical approach: targeted machine learning models that make real planning decisions automatically. Autopilot, not copilot. Productised ordering intelligence, not bespoke consulting engagements.

See what O8 has delivered

Measured results from real customers.

O8 has helped companies like 3M, Shell, BT, Boots, and AG Barr reduce inventory by 30–60% while maintaining service levels above 97%.

Compare O8 with other platforms: Kinaxis · SAP IBP · o9 Solutions · Logility · Blue Yonder