LG Uplus is developing artificial intelligence transformation, or AX, solutions with the distribution platform Sodomall to help small business owners forecast product demand and manage customer service and store operations.
LG Uplus said on the 22nd that it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Sodomall to support AX adoption and strengthen AI capabilities among small business owners. Sodomall is an online and offline distribution platform that supplies food and household goods at near-wholesale prices, drawing on a nationwide network of group-buying stores and distribution data.
The two companies will combine LG Uplus' telecommunications and AI infrastructure with Sodomall's online and offline distribution data to develop a demand forecasting service tailored to individual merchants. The approach links regional sales and group-buying data from Sodomall with the commercial district analysis service offered through Woorigage Package, LG Uplus' telecom and AX package for small business owners.
The companies will pilot a solution that identifies product categories likely to see rising demand in specific regions or periods. The goal is to help small business owners decide when and how much inventory to secure and plan their logistics operations.
They will also work together on AX solutions for customer service and store operations. By pairing LG Uplus' AI and data-based services with Sodomall's expertise in running distribution and group-buying platforms, the companies aim to build services that can be used at actual small business sites. The two firms also plan to jointly identify new businesses to expand sales channels for small merchants and revitalize local commercial districts.
"We will expand our cooperation so that we can support the competitiveness of small business owners' operations based on AI and telecommunications technology and provide a differentiated customer experience," said Lim Jang-hyuk, executive vice president and head of LG Uplus' Enterprise Customer Group. "We will continue to expand AX services that reduce the management burden on small business owners and help them achieve real growth."
