Trade customers already order the way they text everyone else, in a quick WhatsApp or a message from the van, in their own words and shorthand. OptiFlow puts an AI layer on top of the systems you already run so those messages become accurate, priced, ready to confirm orders instead of a pile someone has to decode by hand.
Why messaging is where the trade lives
Builders do not want to log into a portal or wait on hold. They fire off a list by message, often with abbreviations, a photo of a hand written note, or half a part number. It is the fastest way for them to order and the hardest way for a merchant to process, because every message has to be read, understood, matched to the catalogue and keyed in by a person.
What OptiFlow does for you
OptiFlow reads trade messages, including shorthand and photos of written lists, matches them to your live catalogue, checks stock and the correct account price, and builds the order ready for a person to confirm. Your customers order the easy way and your team stop retyping.
- Turn WhatsApp, text and messaged photos into accurate orders with no re keying.
- Match shorthand and part codes to your live catalogue.
- Check stock and apply the right account price before the order is confirmed.
- Capture orders whenever they land, including out of hours.
Works with your systems, no rip and replace
OptiFlow is an AI layer that sits on top of the platform you already run, whether that is Kerridge, Intact, Ibcos or another trade system, and acts on the data it already holds. There is no migration, no long project and nothing new for your team to learn, and most merchants are live in weeks rather than months. See the fuller picture on our AI for builders merchants page, and how we protect your data on the data security and trust page.
See OptiFlow work on your own orders and enquiries. Get a quote.
Related reading: order entry automation and meet Otis, the AI agent.
Frequently asked questions
Can it read WhatsApp and text orders?
Yes. OptiFlow reads trade messages, including shorthand and photos of written lists, and turns them into accurate orders matched to your catalogue.
Does it handle messy, abbreviated lists?
Yes. It is built for the way the trade actually writes, matching abbreviations and part codes to the right items and flagging anything unclear for a person.
Will the price be right?
Yes. It checks stock and applies the correct account price before the order is confirmed, so nothing is mis quoted.
What about orders sent out of hours?
They are captured, matched and checked whenever they arrive, so they are ready for the counter first thing.
Do I need a new system for this?
No. OptiFlow layers on top of your existing platform, so messaged orders flow straight into the system you already run.