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Oldcastle Transforms Document Processing with Amazon Bedrock: A New Era of Efficiency

Update Transforming Document Processing: Oldcastle's Journey with AI In a world where efficient operations are paramount for success, Oldcastle APG, a leading manufacturer in the architectural products industry, faced significant challenges in document management. Processing between 100,000 to 300,000 proof of delivery (POD) documents monthly, the company relied on a cumbersome optical character recognition (OCR) system that only delivered accurate results on about 30-40% of documents. This inefficiency not only drained human resources but also led to errors and delays, emphasizing a striking need for transformation. Why Traditional Solutions Fall Short Oldcastle's reliance on a legacy OCR system highlights a common issue many organizations face: outdated technology that hinders productivity. The existing system was not only labor-intensive, requiring dispatchers at over 200 facilities to spend 4-5 hours per day on manual processing, but also prone to maintenance woes, leaving IT teams struggling under the weight of constant troubleshooting. The Power of Partnership: Oldcastle and AWS Collaborating with Amazon Web Services (AWS), Oldcastle embarked on a transformative journey employing Amazon Bedrock in conjunction with Amazon Textract—a powerful solution designed for complex document processing workflows. This partnership not only addressed the accuracy limitations of the previous system but also automated processes that had traditionally consumed substantial time and resources. A Scalable Solution Built with Modern Technology The new system employs an end-to-end workflow that automates the receipt and processing of POD documents directly from drivers using Amazon Simple Email Service (SES). Leveraging an event-based architecture with Amazon S3 Event Notifications enables scalable processing of documents through several steps. Initially, PDF files are sent to Amazon Textract, which performs document analysis while correcting layout and rotation issues. After analysis, an AWS Lambda microservice generates a markdown representation of the text, which is then processed by Amazon Bedrock to extract essential data. This meticulous attention to detail not only increases the accuracy of extracted data but also provides real-time visibility into outstanding deliveries—a crucial requirement for streamlined operations. Key Takeaways for Leaders in Business For CEOs, CMOs, and COOs eyeing AI integration into their organizations, the Oldcastle case exemplifies the potential of innovative technologies. As this transformation illustrates, employing modern AI solutions can dramatically improve efficiency, enhance data handling capabilities, and reduce the burden on human resources. Given the rising demand for accuracy in business processes, this case serves as a pertinent reminder of why investing in scalable, adaptable technologies is essential. Future Implications on Business Practices As companies continue to navigate the intricacies of digital transformation, embracing AI and automating document processing stands out as not just a trend but a necessity. Organizations facing similar challenges as Oldcastle should consider how integrating advanced solutions can lead to superior operational effectiveness and resource optimization. In conclusion, Oldcastle’s success story is not just about overcoming inefficiencies; it’s about setting a precedent for other organizations in the architectural products industry and beyond to follow. Implementing technologies that address specific business needs not only creates immediate benefits but also reinforces a company’s position in an increasingly competitive market.