How will the awning trade deal with AI? Embrace or ignore it?

The sun protection industry in the Netherlands (and, for that matter, the rest of the world) is facing an exciting new phase: the rapid emergence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) or artificial intelligence. It is therefore essential for all professionals in the field to understand how this technological revolution will affect the industry and how to respond to it.

One of the most exciting aspects of AI in the shading industry is its ability to provide customization on an unprecedented level. AI can analyze customer preferences and recommend shading systems that perfectly fit the customer's needs based on those preferences. Customer satisfaction goes up because, AI-driven analysis leads to a better understanding of what customers (may) want. 

In addition, AI will certainly improve the efficiency of manufacturing processes. Manufacturers can use AI to optimize inventory management, streamline production planning and improve quality control. This will lead to cost savings and increased profitability. So great challenges! 

Changing customer behavior

The way consumers look for shading systems will also evolve in revolutionary ways. Therefore, it cannot be ruled out that individuals will eventually walk into the showroom with a self-generated AI image, after which they will simply inform salespeople, 'This is how I want it at home. Can you arrange that? So for the specialist trade in the blinds industry, things are changing quite a bit. The question is whether the trade should fear these developments or does embracing this technological revolution also offer opportunities? 

A few tips for the trade: 

1. Invest in employee knowledge. Make sure they are aware of what AI is and how they can use it themselves to serve customers even better. Play around with some "simple" tools like ChatGPT or Midjourney.
   
2. Collaborate with AI experts. It is practically impossible for the hard-working trade to keep up and accumulate all the relevant knowledge themselves. The AI expert (currently the fastest growing profession in the Netherlands) is becoming the most important ally of the commercially oriented trade/entrepreneur. Hire his expertise! 
   
3. Follow trends more than ever! Of course, this is already an important task of sun protection specialists and manufacturers and suppliers. However, now use AI programs to also be advised on what to do with all that knowledge about current trends!

Standing still is therefore not an option. The sun protection industry - from specialist retailers to manufacturers and suppliers - will also have to look ahead to take advantage of the (commercial) opportunities offered by Artificial Intelligence. 2024 will (is!) therefore be an incredibly exciting year!