We are bridging the gap between supply chain and banking, with an emphasis on sustainability: Arteria Technologies

Sustainable and efficient supply chains driven by emerging markets digital technologies is the norm these days. Based in Bengaluru Arterya cloud-based SaaS platform, seamlessly integrates supply chain Solutions with banking Services for the benefit of businesses and financial institutions. For suppliers and distributors, this simplifies access to banking services. For financial institutions, this integration reduces the risk of assets becoming unproductive.
In an interaction with ET Online, Sri Ram KanuriCEO and Founder of Artery Technologiessays the company uses AI and Blockchain to improve risk management and provide real-time underwriting based on transaction-level data. Edited excerpts:

ET: Can you give us an overview of Arteria’s mission in the supply chain management sector?
Sri Ram KanuriWe are revolutionizing enterprise supply chain operations and financing through our cloud-based SaaS platform. By integrating banking services with supply chain solutions, we address multiple long-standing challenges faced by businesses, such as the disintegration of banking and supply chain systems.

We recognized a lack of end-to-end visibility across supply chains, leading to substantial inefficiencies in inventory management and working capital practices. Traditionally, the enterprise supply chain and banking were treated as separate systems. We developed a product that leverages automation to digitize and integrate them. Our FinessArt product suite was developed to address these pain points by leveraging automation, digitization, and integration across the entire process.

With our transaction-level data analytics capabilities, we enable real-time loan underwriting and on-demand credit provision based on transaction history. This innovative approach reduces non-performing assets (NPAs) for financial institutions and ensures more accurate risk assessment and management. Additionally, our solutions simplify loan access and banking services for vendors and distributors, with paperless loan disbursements, automatic payment reminders, and real-time reconciliation.

ET: How is AI being leveraged to improve supply chain management?
IS: The convergence of blockchain and AI is revolutionizing commercial banking and supply chain practices. Blockchain streamlines transactions and automates compliance in banking, while AI provides personalized customer insights and risk management. In supply chains, IoT devices enable real-time tracking, optimizing logistics and reducing waste. Together, these technologies improve transparency, efficiency, and customer satisfaction, while reducing costs and risks. AI-powered analytics also provides real-time underwriting and fraud detection, improving decision-making and operational efficiency. We leverage AI to transform enterprise supply chain operations and finance. Our cloud-based SaaS platform integrates advanced technologies to address business challenges.

ET: How does Arteria practice? sustainability in their supply chain operations, given that this is a huge requirement today?
IS: Businesses must adopt futuristic solutions that drastically reduce waste and improve efficiency. We are leading this transformation with our platform, FinessArt, that connects the entire supply chain ecosystem. By improving transparency and streamlining operations, we help businesses contribute to the journey towards net zero. Additionally, our collaboration with financial institutions accelerates the adoption of sustainable practices by providing financial support. It is essential for businesses to adopt these cutting-edge technologies not only to reduce their carbon footprint but also to cultivate a culture of sustainability across their operations.

ET: How do you ensure seamless integration with SAP and other systems in customer operations?
IS: We place great emphasis on ensuring that our products integrate seamlessly with our clients’ systems such as SAP S4H and Tally. Our integration process begins with a comprehensive assessment of our clients’ IT infrastructure. We work closely with their IT teams to identify key integration points and understand specific interoperability requirements. These technical foundations enable us to facilitate seamless integration processes with minimal disruption during implementation. Leveraging our expertise in cloud-based solutions and SaaS platforms, our products include robust APIs and scalable architectures and are certified integrations with SAP BTP (SAP Cloud PaaS).ET: What are some of the key trends that are shaping the future of supply chain management?
IS: First, there is a growing emphasis on sustainability, resilience and ethical sourcing practices, driven by consumer demand and regulatory pressures. Transparency and traceability in supply chains are being improved by IoT and blockchain technologies. Automation and robotics are streamlining operations, while data analytics is optimising decision-making processes. Finally, the trend towards digitalisation and cloud-based solutions is revolutionising the way supply chains are managed, optimised and made resilient.ET: How is Arteria positioning itself to stay ahead of emerging industry trends and address upcoming challenges?
IS: We continuously improve our solutions to seamlessly integrate with emerging technologies and changing industry standards. Our platform is designed to be scalable and adaptable, ensuring that it can grow with our customers’ needs and incorporate new functionalities. We prioritize interoperability with existing systems such as SAP S4H, etc., to provide a seamless user experience. We also invest heavily in cybersecurity measures to protect our customers’ data and operations. This includes implementing advanced encryption, multi-factor authentication, and continuous monitoring. Our proactive approach includes ongoing research and development to anticipate market needs and challenges.

ET: How do you envision the role of AI evolving in the supply chain sector and what role will Arteria play in this evolution?
IS: Generative AI is revolutionizing logistics and supply chain management by driving efficiency and innovation. It helps businesses predict demand, manage inventory, and automate decision-making, leading to reduced logistics costs, optimized stock levels, and streamlined operations. This technology enables more accurate forecasting and better resource management, promoting sustainability and reducing waste.

At Arteria, we are embracing AI to improve supply chain operations. Our AI-powered solutions provide real-time underwriting, personalized recommendations for diverse individuals in the supply chain network, and proactive risk management. By analyzing data and automating processes, we help our customers increase sales, optimize logistics, improve efficiency, and stay competitive in a rapidly evolving market.

ET: How many clients do you have now and how many do you plan to acquire in the coming years?
IS: Arteria serves a diverse customer base across multiple industries. Some of our strategic agreements are with industry leaders such as Britannia, Exide, Love meRSPL Group, HDFC Bank, Axle benchM&M, Nayara Energy, Tata Steel and Tata ChemicalsOur goal is to triple our client list.

ET: What are the company’s plans for the future?
IS: We are focused on continuing to integrate advanced technologies like Gen AI into all aspects of FinessArt’s portfolio of solutions to deliver even greater value to our customers. This includes developing new features that address emerging challenges in supply chain and finance. We will invest in R&D to remain a leader in supply chain management and finance solutions. Our goal is to lead innovation and drive customer growth in finance and trade, increasing revenue by tenfold in five years.