A plain English guide to the AI, automation and trade terms that come up when you look at making a builders merchant run more efficiently. Each entry links to where the idea applies in practice, so you can go straight to the detail.
AI and automation terms
Vertical AI. AI built for one industry rather than a one size fits all tool. OptiFlow is vertical AI for builders merchants and energy suppliers, which is why it understands trade language and workflows out of the box.
AI layer. Software that sits on top of the systems you already run and adds intelligence, rather than replacing them. See AI for builders merchants.
AI agent. An assistant that can understand a request in plain language and act on it. Otis is our AI agent for the trade. See it in the depot as Otis Depot.
No rip and replace. Adding capability without tearing out your existing ERP. It means no migration, no retraining on a new platform, and going live in weeks.
Order entry automation. Turning incoming orders from email, PDF and messages into confirmed orders in your system without re keying. See order entry automation.
Self service ordering. Letting customers place and pay for orders themselves. See our guide to self service ordering and kiosk versus the counter.
Trade counter and operations terms
Trade counter. The service point where trade customers order and collect. The busiest and most expensive part of a depot to run, and where automation has the biggest impact. See AI for trade counter managers.
Click and collect. Ordering ahead and collecting in the depot. Otis Depot lets a customer do this at an iPad and pay on the spot. See how Otis Depot works.
Stock and price enquiry. The have you got it and what is my price question, the most repeated query at any counter. See stock and price enquiries.
Special order and back order. Items not held in stock that are ordered in, and orders waiting on supply. See special and back order management.
Delivery scheduling. Planning loads and routes and keeping customers informed. See delivery scheduling.
Returns and credit notes. Handling goods coming back and crediting the account. See returns and credits automation.
Price file. The supplier list of cost prices that has to be loaded to keep margins right. See price file management.
Commercial and finance terms
Cost to serve. What it actually costs to handle a customer or order, including all the staff time around it. Automation lowers it by removing routine work. See AI for finance directors.
Debtor days, or DSO. The average time credit customers take to pay. See the debtor days benchmark.
Credit account onboarding. Opening a new trade account. See credit account onboarding.
Total cost of merchant software. Licence, implementation, migration, training and hardware together. See what merchant software costs.
Build versus buy. The choice between adding capability and hiring or building it yourself. See AI versus hiring more counter staff.
Systems and integrations
ERP. The core system that runs stock, orders, purchasing and accounts. Common merchant platforms include Kerridge, Intact and Ibcos. OptiFlow works on top of them; see integrations.
Integration. Connecting software so it shares data. OptiFlow connects to your ERP, CRM and stock systems so it acts on live data.
By sector
See how this applies to your trade: timber, plumbing, electrical, roofing, landscaping and aggregates, agricultural and rural, and kitchen and bathroom.
Explore the free trade calculators too, or see the product in the depot with Otis Depot.
We will show you where it applies and what it is worth. Get a quote.
Related pages: data security and trust, implementation and go live, meet Otis, the AI agent, results and ROI.
More from OptiFlow: tool and plant hire, civils and drainage merchants, insulation and drylining merchants, fixings and ironmongery merchants, proof of delivery automation, purchase order automation, WhatsApp and text ordering, OptiFlow for MAM Software and Trader, AI for branch managers.
Frequently asked questions
What is vertical AI for builders merchants?
It is AI built specifically for the merchant trade rather than a general tool, so it understands trade language, products and workflows and works on top of your existing systems.
What does no rip and replace mean?
It means adding AI on top of your current ERP rather than replacing it, so there is no migration, no retraining on a new platform, and you go live in weeks.
Which systems does OptiFlow work with?
It layers on top of common merchant platforms including Kerridge, Intact and Ibcos, and connects to your CRM and stock systems. See our integrations page.