At REKKI, we've seen firsthand how digital transformation can revolutionize operations for food suppliers. Odysea, a leading importer and distributor of specialty foods, is a prime example of how AI-powered solutions can streamline operations, enhance efficiency, and, most importantly, elevate customer relationships. By moving away from manual order entry, Odysea has embraced a smarter, more strategic approach to order management that has not only saved valuable time but also transformed their business practices for the better.

The Pre-Digital Era: A Decade of Manual Processing

Jennifer, who had been with Odysea for ten years, remembers when order processing was entirely different. "Before, my job was mostly on the phone, calling people and processing orders on the spot. It was manual, but I was engaged more," she explains.

The sales team at Odysea handled all order processing, with phones that "used to ring non-stop from 9am to 5pm." While this created direct customer contact, it also consumed an enormous amount of time that could have been spent on more strategic activities.

The COVID Catalyst

Like many businesses, Odysea experienced a distinct shift during the pandemic. "There's a clear before and after, pre-COVID and post-COVID," Jennifer notes. "After COVID, everything shifted to online ordering. People weren't going to restaurants, they were ordering online. That pushed a big technological shift in the industry."

This digital acceleration created both opportunities and challenges. While the constant phone calls diminished, the manual work of processing digital orders remained time-consuming. Jennifer found herself spending "half your day processing orders" instead of focusing on "active sales, research, or other tasks."

Looking for Solutions

The search for a better way to handle orders led Odysea to explore AI solutions. Initially, they trialed another provider, but the results were only "slightly better than before." Jennifer's ideal scenario was clear: "I wanted the orders to just flow through without me needing to touch them, I was fed up with processing."

When REKKI entered the picture, the difference was immediately apparent. "Ronen came to our office, showed us what REKKI was offering, and it was clearly much more advanced," Jennifer recalls. What stood out wasn't just the current capabilities, but the long-term vision: "You weren't just offering processing, you were thinking long-term. It felt like: how can we improve this now and make it even better five years from now?"

Initial Concerns

The introduction of AI wasn't without concerns. Jennifer candidly shares that her main worry was that "companies might see AI as a way to eliminate roles. Instead of seeing it as a tool to support people, they might think, 'This system does your job, so we don't need you anymore.'"

This fear is common when new technology enters the workplace. There was also uncertainty about adoption, Jennifer acknowledges that "at the beginning, I wasn't sure how it would work" 

Implementation and Transformation

Despite these concerns, Odysea moved forward with implementing REKKI OrderAI. The results began to show within two months.

One of the most notable improvements came from the warehouse team. As Jennifer explains, "when mistakes happen, they're the ones affected. Now that things are running more smoothly and one of them can access the Hub directly without going through me, he's very impressed"

Beyond Efficiency: Redefining Customer Relationships

The most profound impact of implementing REKKI OrderAI hasn't just been in time savings, but in how Odysea can now approach customer relationships. Jennifer sees AI as enabling a return to meaningful customer interaction, but with a different focus: "Instead of phone calls to push orders, we could use that time for real customer service, checking in, asking how things are going, what they need from us. It's a better use of time."

This shift from transactional processing to relationship building represents the true potential of AI in the food supply chain. Rather than simply automating existing processes, it enables businesses to reimagine how they operate and where they focus their human talents.

Looking Ahead

For Odysea, the implementation of REKKI OrderAI has opened new possibilities for how they allocate their time and resources. With order processing streamlined, the sales team can focus on delivering exceptional customer service, conducting market research, and developing new strategies for growth.

At REKKI, we're proud to partner with forward-thinking companies like Odysea who see AI not as a threat, but as an opportunity to evolve their business and enhance the value they provide to customers. By handling the routine aspects of order processing, we enable the human elements of business, creativity, relationship-building, and strategic thinking to flourish.