AI tool transforms tender process for swimming pool specialist
Devin Consulting, a Tyneside engineering consultancy specialising in swimming pools, spas and waterparks, has launched a new artificial intelligence tool designed to streamline its project tender process. The North Shields-based firm, which has advised on high-profile installations including the aquatics centres for the London 2012 Olympic Games and the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, developed the AI system in partnership with RMT Technology, the tech arm of RMT Accountants & Business Advisors.
The AI tool extracts key information from project tender documents, allowing the Devin Consulting team to identify and respond to opportunities more quickly and efficiently. According to the company, this innovation is central to its five-year growth plan and will help the business, founded 25 years ago, build on its track record of completing more than 600 swimming pool, spa and waterpark projects for public and private sector clients worldwide.
From off-the-shelf to bespoke AI solution
Sam Gledhill, project engineer and sustainability lead at Devin Consulting, explained the journey behind the tool: “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 develop something of our own together.”
Gledhill highlighted the practical benefits: “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.”
Positive collaboration drives growth ambitions
The development process has been a collaborative success. “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,” Gledhill added.
Stephen McNickle, commercial director at RMT Technology, commented: “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.”
