Optimizing Supply Chain Management for Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Using AI: A Comparative Analysis of GPT-4.5, Grok 3, Gemini 2.0, and DeepSeek R-1

Small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs) often operate on limited profit margins. They may lack the financial resources to implement expensive Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems or advanced artificial intelligence (AI) tools. However, the advent of generative AI technologies, such as GPT-4.5, Grok 3, Gemini 2.0, and DeepSeek R-1, presents an opportunity for these businesses to leverage AI-driven insights at a more affordable cost. This paper investigates the effectiveness of these AI models in addressing key supply chain management challenges, specifically focusing on demand planning and logistics. The results provide valuable insights into the most suitable AI tools for SMBs seeking to optimize their supply chain operations with minimal investment. This study offers practical guidance for SMBs to improve operational efficiency and enhance their competitive edge in the marketplace by conducting a comparative analysis of these tools.