ephany/blog

Tag: AI

  • Even AI Needs a Second Set of Eyes: How Ephany Uses Agentic AI to Double-Check Data

    Even AI Needs a Second Set of Eyes: How Ephany Uses Agentic AI to Double-Check Data

    Artificial intelligence might seem like magic, but even magic needs rules. One of the biggest misconceptions about AI is that it always gets things right. In reality, AI is only as useful as the data it works with. And when you’re managing complex asset catalogs across thousands of projects, bad data can snowball into real-world delays, rework, and costly mistakes.

    At Ephany, we’re focused on managing the kind of data most project teams overlook: fixtures, furniture, and equipment (FF&E). These assets may seem small, but when you’re working across hundreds or thousands of locations, tracking the right assets (with the right options and finishes) is a massive job. This is where our agentic AI steps in… Not just to automate data extraction, but to double-check its own work.

    Garbage In, Headaches Out: The Real Cost of Bad Asset Data

    Agentic AI Cleaning Dirty Data

    Imagine you’re rolling out a new store design, and the same refrigerator model is listed three different ways in your system. One record is missing dimensions, another was typed in twice, and a third doesn’t list which finish is required. That might not seem like a big deal, but do you really want to wait until the wrong asset gets ordered, it shows up late, or your drawings don’t match what’s on site?

    In a traditional workflow, someone on the project team would have to comb through spreadsheets or drawings to find these issues. It’s tedious, it’s slow, and it’s prone to human error.

    Every day a new store or facility opening is delayed means lost income. Retail industry analyses estimate that major retailers lose about $1.1 million in sales per day for a delayed store opening​. Even a small-format restaurant can lose roughly $7,000 in revenue per day it cannot open. These losses add up quickly, and they come on top of rising capital costs – construction costs themselves climb an estimated 5% for each month a project is postponed​. (​source)

    Meet the AI That Calls Out the Mess Before It Spreads

    Agentic AI finding good data in dumpster fire

    Ephany uses agentic AI with autonomous agents that do more than just extract data. They actively validate it.

    When a new asset is added to the catalog, or when data is pulled from PDFs, Revit models, or scanned documents, Ephany’s AI agents perform automated checks in real time.

    They flag:

    • Inconsistencies (e.g., mismatched descriptions, dimensions, or part numbers)
    • Duplicates (multiple entries of the same asset under different IDs)
    • Missing fields (required metadata like finishes, power requirements, or vendor details)

    Instead of waiting for someone to catch these errors manually, the AI catches them before the asset is provided to the design team, purchased by the procurement team, or installed by the construction team.

    Why It Matters

    Validation checks might not sound exciting, but they’re the backbone of reliable asset management. They keep your data clean, your procurement teams confident, and your construction timelines intact. They also make your AI smarter over time. Every validation step helps train the system to get better at spotting what doesn’t belong.

    Ephany is Leading the Way

    While many platforms use AI as a buzzword, Ephany is building real-world solutions using agentic AI to improve asset data where it matters most. We believe automation should come with accountability—and that’s why our validation checks are built in from the start.

    Your asset data should work as hard as you do. With Ephany, it finally can.

  • Decluttering Your Data: Why AI Alone Won’t Solve the Mess

    Decluttering Your Data: Why AI Alone Won’t Solve the Mess

    Imagine your home is overflowing with clutter. You hire a professional organizer who tidies everything up—but without proper shelves and storage, the clean items just end up in a neat pile on the floor. That’s what happens when you rely solely on AI to clean up your asset data, especially when managing furniture, fixtures, and equipment (FF&E) for owner-furnished items in repeatable commercial spaces.

    Here are the top three reasons why AI isn’t a magic fix—and why you need a solid platform to organize your cleaned AI data:

    1. Cleaned Data Needs a Home

    AI can scrub your asset data from PDFs such as drawings, product data sheets, installation manuals, and more, much like a professional organizer tidies up your kid’s playroom. But without a robust platform to house that clean data, you’re left with information floating in digital limbo.

    For large-scale enterprises, relying on spreadsheets just doesn’t cut it. They simply can’t handle the complexity or scale needed to manage FF&E across thousands of locations. At a minimum you’ll want to implement a database and file repository, but then you’ll need to find someone to manage it all.

    2. Context Is Everything

    Imagine your kitchen when hosting a dinner party. Every tool, ingredient, and appliance has its designated spot, and everything needs to flow together perfectly. In asset management, a robust data platform works the same way—it ensures that product specifications, procurement details, maintenance histories, and other essential components all have their proper place and are connected seamlessly.

    Without these relationships, or at the very least an asset identification system, your asset data is like a disorganized kitchen where the fridge, pantry, and utensils are scattered in different rooms, making it impossible to cook up efficiency.

    3. Sustainable Processes Require a Strong Foundation

    Imagine trying to keep your home tidy without any proper storage—no closets, shelves, or labeled bins. No matter how often you clean, the clutter just keeps coming back.

    For large organizations, a consistent set of data standards is like having a custom storage system in every room. It not only keeps everything in its proper place but also enables you to automate repetitive tasks and analyze big data for strategic insights. Without that solid foundation, even the smartest AI cleanup is just a temporary fix on a constantly disorganized mess.

    Introducing Ephany, an asset management platform which sparks joy.

    Ephany asset catalog

    At Ephany, we’re tackling these challenges head-on. We don’t just clean your data—we give it a home. Our solution leverages smart AI to import and polish data from PDFs (like product data sheets, installation manuals, and project details) while securely organizing it on a robust platform designed for large-scale enterprises managing FF&E for owner-furnished items. We even connect your teams to the Revit Families which include the standardized asset data that they need for projects.

    By creating meaningful relationships between components, parts, and procurement details, Ephany transforms isolated data into powerful insights that drive efficiency and reduce costs.

    Ready to turn your digital clutter into a well-organized powerhouse? Reach out for a free demo and discover how Ephany can streamline your asset management process.