Machine Learning Platform at Walmart
<h1><strong>Abstract</strong></h1>
<p>Walmart is the world’s largest retailer, and it handles a huge volume of products, distribution, and transactions through its physical stores and online stores. Walmart has a highly optimized supply chain that runs at scale to offer its customers shopping at lowest price. In the process, Walmart accumulates a huge amount of valuable information from its everyday operations. This data is used to build Artificial Intelligence (AI) solutions to optimize and increase efficiencies of operations and customer experience atWalmart. In this paper, we provide an overview of the guiding principles, technology architecture, and integration of various tools within Walmart and from the open-source committee in building the Machine Learning (ML) Platform. We present multiple ML use cases at Walmart and show how their solutions leverage this ML Platform. We then discuss the business impact of having a scalable ML platform and infrastructure, reflect on lessons learnt building and operating an ML platform and future work for it at Walmart.</p>
<h1>Introduction</h1>
<p>Walmart (Walmart 2023a) Inc is a people-led, tech-powered omni-channel retailer helping people save money and live better — anytime and anywhere — in stores, online, and through their mobile devices. Each week, approximately 240 million customers and members visit more than 10,500 stores and numerous eCommerce websites in 20 countries. With fiscal year 2023 revenue of $611 billion, Walmart employs approximately 2.1 million associates worldwide. Walmart continues to be a leader in sustainability, corporate philanthropy, and employment opportunity. The staggering size and scope of operations of Walmart influencing the retail industry and the global economy cannot be overstated. Walmart’s supply chain is extensive and complex, it works with over 100,000 suppliers worldwide, 150 distribution centers in United States, largest private fleet of trucks in the world with over 10,000 tractors and 80,000 trailers, and Walmart also extensively used ocean freighters and air cargo to move goods across the globe. Walmart sells a wide variety of products from groceries, apparel, home goods to electronics and more. With the massive scale of operations, it brings the challenges of smooth, efficient, and timely operations.<br />
Walmart leverages its size and scale, invests in efficient supply chain management and latest technologies like the advanced AI capabilities for lower prices and cost savings for its customers.</p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/walmartglobaltech/machine-learning-platform-at-walmart-b06819825ef7">Read More</a></p>