AI solution helps aquatic consultancy make a splash

A North East engineering consultancy has introduced an artificial intelligence system to support its growth plans by helping the business respond to project opportunities more quickly and efficiently.

North Shields-based Devin Consulting, which specialises in swimming pool, spa and waterpark engineering, has worked with RMT Technology to develop an AI-powered proposal review system.

Bosses say the introduction of the AI system is expected to help the business respond to more opportunities while reducing the time spent reviewing complex tender documents.

They add it will help increase capacity, improve efficiency and support the business as it expands into new international markets.

Sam Gledhill, project engineer and sustainability lead at Devin Consulting, said: “Bringing AI solutions into the business in ways that will support the expertise of our team and help us build on our long-term track record is central to our five-year growth plan. 

“We began to look at a number of off-the-shelf AI options, but found they were all cost prohibitive for a small business like ours, so started a discussion with RMT Technology, which is already our technology partner, about how we might development something of our own together.

“With project proposal documents often running to hundreds of pages, our responses naturally take a lot of time and effort, so there were gains to be made by using AI to make the process more efficient and ensure our responses are even more aligned with clients’ requirements. 

“The positive conversations we’ve had with the RMT Technology team during the new system’s development have really helped us see how AI can support our growth ambitions and their expertise is now assisting us in implementing new ways of working that we believe will benefit the whole business.” 

Stephen McNickle, commercial director at RMT Technology, added: “As with any other technology, AI needs to be directed towards fulfilling specific business needs if it’s going to achieve the maximum impact.

“Working with the Devin Consulting team on this project has been a really positive experience all round and they’ve now got new AI tools in place that will have a tangible impact on their future commercial performance.” 

Founded 25 years ago, Devin Consulting has completed more than 600 projects for public and private sector clients in the UK and overseas. 

Its portfolio includes the aquatics centres for the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games.

RMT Technology works with organisations to improve their use of technology, providing support across IT strategy, cyber security, data management and digital transformation. 

The two businesses are part of the wider Sumer Group, which supports small and medium-sized enterprises across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland through a network of more than 80 offices.

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