Sanifu’s creation is rooted in the pressing challenges faced by manufacturers and distributors in and around order processing.Â
In the fast-evolving landscape of business technology, Sanifu emerges as a groundbreaking innovation, poised to transform how manufacturers and distributors handle order processing. The first of its kind in Africa, Sanifu is an AI-powered solution developed by Patika Technology Limited, a tech startup in Kenya.
This new tool leverages advanced artificial intelligence to seamlessly integrate order details from emails, contact messages and social media platforms into Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, revolutionizing the way businesses manage their operations.
Sanifu’s creation is rooted in the pressing challenges faced by manufacturers and distributors in and around order processing.Â
Tackling Industrial ChallengesÂ
“From our conversations and understanding of the industry, we identified key areas that could need an effective tech solution. These challenges ranged from inefficient manual data entry, error-prone processes, to revenue losses due to order processing delays,” revealed Rema Sidney, CEO of Patika Technology.
Other challenges include high rates of sales returns, and missed opportunities, especially on late-night orders. Due to the low efficiency of manual labour, manufacturers and distributors often need to hire a large number of clerks to manage the volume of orders, making it difficult to scale operations without proportionally increasing headcount.
From left to right: Patika Technology co-founders Sidney Rema, Phelix Juma and Bernard Momanyi. /HANDOUT
By addressing these pain points, Sanifu offers a solution that not only enhances accuracy but also significantly boosts productivity.
AI-powered AutomationÂ
At its core, Sanifu is an AI-powered system designed to automate the extraction and entry of order details from diverse formats, including emails, PDFs, and even handwritten notes.
According to Rema, this sophisticated technology ensures that order processing is swift and precise, drastically reducing the errors and time associated with manual data entry.Â
“The system integrates effortlessly with existing ERP systems, email platforms, and WhatsApp, providing a comprehensive solution that fits seamlessly into the workflows of its users. This functionality is particularly valuable in regions like Kenya, where social media is a prevalent mode of communication for business transactions,” Rema weighed in.
One of Sanifu’s standout features is its ability to read and process orders from various communication channels, including WhatsApp messages. By bridging the gap between these informal channels and formal ERP systems, Sanifu enables a more streamlined and accurate order processing experience.
Adaptability and Impact Â
The impact of Sanifu is already being felt by its initial customers, Kenchic Limited and Capwell Industries.
The two early adopters have reported dramatic reductions in order processing times, from 5-10 minutes per order to under 30 seconds. This efficiency gain has translated into lower sales returns and missed sales, underscoring Sanifu’s effectiveness in addressing critical operational challenges.Â
According to Colm Healy, the Chief Operating Officer at Capwell Industries, the company’s customer service team was frequently overwhelmed with orders.
This birthed problems like errors and delays in order processing which hurt the company’s revenue and customer experience. But everything changed when the AI-powered technology was quickly adapted into their system.
“Sanifu has transformed our management process. Before implementing this tool, our customer service team spent hours manually checking through emails, contact messages and other communication channels to keep up with the influx of customer orders,” said Healy.
Teamwork and ExperienceÂ
The team behind Sanifu includes Sidney Rema, Phelix Juma, and Bernard Momanyi, both who bring a wealth of experience in AI solutions and enterprise sales.
Their backgrounds in deploying AI technologies for top retailers and managing distribution channels have been instrumental in crafting a solution that is both innovative and practical.
“Our initial focus was on a mobile application designed to help small businesses manage debt collection. However, feedback from larger enterprises highlighted a more pressing need for improved order processing. It’s this insight that led to the development of Sanifu,” Momanyi said.
Momanyi highlighted that the tool combines Patika’s foundational expertise with advanced AI capabilities to meet the demands of a broader market.
Moreover, Patika Technology was accepted into the prestigious Y Combinator Incubator programme in 2022, being the only startup company from East, Central and Southern Africa in that batch.
Scalability and Expansion
A total of 13 major local manufacturers from Kenya are now on board with this new venture. 11 of them are actively piloting the system, further validating its scalability and impact across different industries.
As Sanifu continues to evolve, it promises to be a game-changer for businesses seeking to optimize their order processing and drive growth in the competitive market. Market plans involve scaling operations, continuously enhancing the product, and meeting the evolving needs of its customers.
“Within the next 5 years, we plan to deploy AI clerks that can work as teammates across various industries that are paper heavy like health, insurance and banking. We aim to expand Sanifu’s reach across Africa, targeting a market of 180,000 manufacturers and distributors with a potential value exceeding $2.5 billion,” said Rema.
Sanifu represents a significant leap forward in order processing technology. By integrating AI-powered automation with email and social media channels, it offers a solution that not only enhances efficiency but also sets a new standard for accuracy and ease of use in the industry.Â
