“Generative AI is the most powerful technology I’ve seen in my 30 years in IT.” says Lars Bork Dylander, 2BM's CEO. “It’s fundamentally reshaping industries, even SAP itself, and how 2BM works with processes, data, and clients.”
Lars emphasizes that businesses, especially those in the mid-market, need to approach AI with curiosity and a willingness to adapt. “Companies need to explore how AI can benefit their operations and start integrating it strategically,” he advises.
Introducing Ask Odin: The AI Maintenance Assistant
Named after the Nordic god known for wisdom, Ask Odin is 2BM's AI-powered assistant designed specifically for maintenance operations. As Lars humorously notes, “He was a Nordic god, and now he’s an AI assistant. I don’t know if that’s a promotion or a demotion!”
The AI co-pilot simplifies everything from document analysis to SAP data interpretation, all through an intuitive chat interface available on the maintenance technician's mobile device.
“Ask Odin is a situationally aware agent that understands your environment. When you are working on a specific equipment and encountering an error code, Ask Odin already knows the context. “For example, if you ask, 'I have error code 43, what’s wrong?' it can instantly analyze the documentation and explain the issue in detail,” Lars explains.
Beyond identifying problems, Ask Odin provides step-by-step repair guidance and records data directly into SAP. Lars highlights its versatility: “You can ask, ‘How do I fix it?’ and it will guide you through the process. The agent can even automate repetitive tasks, such as data entry, freeing up technicians for higher-value work.
“If you told me three years ago, we’d create something like this, I’d have said it was impossible,” Lars admits. “But today, Ask Odin is already changing how maintenance teams work.”
Transforming the User Experience
One of the most exciting developments in AI for 2BM is the ability to talk to it instead of typing.
“Why should a technician spend time entering data manually when they can simply talk to the system?” Lars asks. “Ask Odin can listen, respond, and update records seamlessly in the background. AI is about making interactions as intuitive as possible and freeing up time for what really matters; problem-solving and innovation.”
Balancing Innovation with Compliance
While the potential of AI is immense, Lars stresses the importance of addressing compliance and security concerns, especially with regulations like GDPR.
“One of the main challenges we discuss with customers is ensuring data privacy.” Lars notes. “How do we secure sensitive information? How do we prevent competitors from accessing proprietary data through shared algorithms? These are critical questions.”
To tackle these issues, 2BM has designed Ask Odin with layered compliance measures:
- Tailored Knowledge: While the base knowledge of Ask Odin is universal, client-specific data remains private and siloed.
- Controlled Retention: To minimize compliance risks, Ask Odin retains only relevant, short-term data while ensuring personalized interactions remain confidential.
“AI should never replace human judgement,” Lars says. “The technician is always the final decision-maker. AI is a powerful tool, but it must be used responsibly.”
Getting Started with AI in Maintenance
For businesses looking to adopt AI, Lars offers straightforward advice: start with a strategy. “Like any major initiative, implementing AI begins with understanding your goals. What problems are you solving? How will AI fit into your operations? Once you define your objectives, you can begin to explore use cases and pilot projects.”
2BM’s approach is rooted in collaboration and innovation. By working closely with pilot customers, they’ve developed practical solutions tailored to real-world challenges.
“We’re building solutions with our clients, not just for them,” Lars explains. “This ensures the tools we create, like Ask Odin, address actual needs and deliver tangible value.”
The Future of Maintenance
Looking ahead, Lars believes AI will continue to push boundaries in maintenance and beyond.
“The changes we’re seeing now are just the beginning,” he says. “From automating routine tasks to transforming how we interact with systems, AI is setting the stage for an entirely new way of working.”
For 2BM, the journey doesn’t stop at maintenance. The company is exploring how AI can enhance other business areas, from supply chain optimization to customer engagement.
Ready to Explore AI for Your Business?
To learn more about 2BM’s AI solutions and how Ask Odin can revolutionize your maintenance operations, visit Ask Odin.
If you're a United VARs member and want to discuss collaborating on projects or incorporating Ask Odin into SAP implementations, contact Karina Vittrup or Martin Pock.
About 2BM
2BM, Part of SOA People is a leading partner in business strategy execution powered by SAP and associated technologies, a full-service provider - we deliver consulting, licensing, implementation, and application management services.
About United VARs
United VARs is a global alliance of SAP implementation partners and solution providers for the mid-market. With over 70 members in 100 countries, the alliance serves all types of SAP rollouts and integrations across the world. It provides businesses with local expertise ‘on the ground’ charged at local rates. All United VARs members work together as one team and provide a more personalized service, more suited to mid-market budgets, than other global systems integrators.
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