Cloud Circus Launches 'AI Input Assist' for BowNow, the First in a Series of New SFA Features

Startia Holdings Inc. announced that its consolidated subsidiary, Cloud Circus Inc., which operates a digital marketing business, has launched 'AI Input Assist' for its marketing automation (MA) tool, BowNow. This is the first of several new SFA features.

'AI Input Assist' uses AI to analyze free-text data, such as sales notes or transcripts, and automatically suggests ways to organize and update customer records. By making it easier for sales representatives to store customer issues, considerations, and next actions directly in BowNow, the tool helps resolve data siloing and strengthens the integration between marketing and sales activities.

This feature expands the scope of BowNow’s support from marketing to the storage and utilization of sales information. By promoting the integrated use of MA and SFA, the company aims to help client companies improve sales productivity while expanding the value proposition of BowNow.

■ Background: The Challenge of Uncaptured Sales Information in BtoB Sales

With a concept of being 'simple, low-cost, and easy to use,' BowNow has built a track record of over 16,000 installations, enabling SMEs and startups to easily adopt MA tools.

However, in supporting many BtoB companies, the company identified a challenge: valuable customer information obtained in the field is not being sufficiently stored in tools. Information like customer issues, considerations, reasons for lost deals, and next actions is vital for sales and marketing. In reality, due to busyness or uncertainty about where to input data, this information often remains in personal notes or memories and cannot be utilized at the organizational level.

To address this, BowNow developed 'AI Input Assist' to capture and utilize sales information while reducing the burden on sales staff.

■ About 'AI Input Assist'

'AI Input Assist' allows users to paste sales notes or parts of transcripts into BowNow’s lead details screen. The AI then analyzes the content to suggest customer information organization and updates. It features three main characteristics:

1. Automatic Organization and Updating of Customer Information based on Sales Notes
The AI analyzes the notes and suggests the best options for predefined custom fields, streamlining data entry and reducing post-sales registration burden.

2. Automatic Categorization into 'Current Situation/Challenges' and 'Actions/Plans'
Inputted notes are organized by the AI into 'Current Situation/Challenges' and 'Actions/Plans,' preserving details in a format easily used for future proposals and sales handovers.

3. Human Review and Modification of AI Suggestions
AI analysis results are displayed as drafts, allowing staff to review and modify them before final reflection, ensuring accurate information management through human judgment.

■ Kickstarting Data Accumulation with 'Custom Field Templates'

BowNow comes with standard 'Custom Field Templates' that complement AI Input Assist, helping teams understand what information is crucial to gather for future proposals.

■ Utilizing Accumulated Sales Information

Sales information captured via AI Input Assist can be utilized in conjunction with BowNow's existing features:

- Linking with automatic target notifications to seize re-proposal opportunities.
- Delivering targeted emails based on reasons for lost deals.
- Automatically sending step-mails to customers who meet favorable conditions.