How AI Will Redefine the Building Materials Industry in 2025
The building products industry is on the verge of significant change. As businesses face growing complexities in managing showrooms, meeting customer expectations, and retaining skilled teams, artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as the key to unlocking more innovative, efficient ways of working.
At Haystack Technologies, we’re committed to providing innovative solutions that simplify workflows, strengthen teams, and empower businesses to deliver exceptional customer experiences. Tools like InDI, our digital human technology, transform employee training and customer interactions. At the same time, Orbit, launching in spring 2025, will give showrooms a more innovative way to track inventory and gather valuable customer insights. Here’s how AI will shape the future of the building products industry—and how Haystack is preparing to lead this transformation.
Smarter Decision-Making for Showrooms
AI revolutionizes decision-making by providing real-time insights that help businesses act faster and more effectively. In 2025, showroom managers can use Orbit to make smarter decisions about inventory management, sample utilization, and customer preferences. Orbit’s ability to collect and analyze data in real-time ensures that managers have a clear picture of what’s in stock, what’s being used, and how customers engage with their products.
For example, a showroom manager can track which flooring samples are most popular with customers and use that data to stock high-demand materials while phasing out underperforming options. This kind of actionable insight ensures better inventory planning and more satisfied customers. As Forbes highlights, AI-driven tools like Orbit transform operations by helping businesses optimize inventory and improve decision-making.
Building Smarter Teams with Digital Human Technology
One of the most exciting applications of AI is in training and retaining employees. High turnover in sales roles has long been a challenge in the building products industry, but InDI, Haystack’s digital human technology, is changing the game. Delivering personalized, scalable training programs, InDI helps businesses build stronger, more capable teams.
Personalized Training: InDI simulates real-world customer interactions, allowing employees to practice sales techniques, improve product knowledge, and refine their communication skills in a safe environment.
Reducing Turnover: By equipping employees with the tools and confidence they need to succeed, InDI helps reduce turnover and lower associated hiring costs. Companies with robust training programs see significantly higher retention rates.
Boosting Sales Performance: Confident, well-trained employees are better equipped to close deals and build lasting customer relationships. InDI ensures consistent, high-quality training that strengthens entire teams.
With InDI, businesses can invest in their employees and create stronger, more effective sales teams—because stronger teams mean stronger sales.
Personalizing Customer Experiences
Customers today expect seamless, personalized interactions. AI-powered solutions like InDI make this possible by helping businesses anticipate customer needs and deliver tailored solutions. For example, InDI can act as a digital assistant in a showroom, guiding customers through product options and answering questions in real-time.
Imagine a customer entering a showroom and interacting with InDI to explore flooring options. InDI can recommend products based on the customer’s style preferences, project needs, and budget. This level of personalization enhances the customer experience and builds trust and loyalty. As Harvard Business Review explains, businesses leveraging AI for personalization see significant improvements in customer satisfaction and repeat business.
Optimizing Showroom Operations
Managing inventory in a showroom can be a logistical nightmare, especially with dozens or hundreds of samples on display. Orbit simplifies this process by providing real-time tracking of sample inventory and insights into how customers interact with products. This means showroom managers can focus less on operational headaches and more on creating a better customer experience.
Track Sample Usage: Orbit monitors which samples are checked out, returned, or underutilized, helping managers make data-driven decisions about what to showcase.
Understand Customer Behavior: By tracking how customers engage with specific samples, Orbit provides valuable insights into preferences and trends.
With Orbit, businesses can optimize their showroom operations, ensuring they’re always one step ahead of customer needs.
Driving Sustainability
Sustainability is a growing priority for both businesses and customers. AI is critical in helping companies adopt environmentally responsible practices without sacrificing efficiency or profitability.
Inventory Optimization: Tools like Orbit prevent overstocking and reduce waste by providing accurate usage data and demand forecasting.
Eco-Friendly Choices: AI solutions like InDI can recommend sustainable materials to customers based on their project goals, making it easier for businesses to promote green options.
The World Economic Forum highlights how AI is driving sustainability efforts globally, and Haystack’s tools are built to help businesses align with these goals while delivering value to their customers.
Preparing for Growth with AI
Scaling a business requires the right tools, and AI offers solutions that make growth more manageable. With InDI’s ability to standardize training and Orbit’s capacity to streamline operations, businesses can scale confidently without increasing complexity.
Automated Workflows: Orbit eliminates manual inventory management tasks, allowing showroom staff to focus on customers.
Team Consistency: InDI ensures every employee receives the same high-quality training, maintaining consistency across growing teams.
As Deloitte reveals, businesses implementing AI-driven automation see 20-40% productivity gains, making it a critical investment for sustainable growth.
What This Means for 2025
AI isn’t just a buzzword—it’s a practical solution transforming the building products industry. By adopting AI solutions like InDI and Orbit, businesses can:
Strengthen their sales teams through better training and reduced turnover.
Streamline showroom operations with more competent inventory management.
Deliver personalized, seamless customer experiences.
Drive sustainability with data-backed decisions.
Scale confidently with tools that reduce complexity.
We’re proud to be at the forefront of these changes at Haystack Technologies. With over 40 years of expertise, we’re committed to helping businesses thrive in an evolving industry.
Be Part of the Transformation
Ready to Future-Proof Your Business? Discover how Haystack’s solutions can revolutionize your operations in 2025.
Contact us for a free demo or visit Haystack Technologies to learn more about InDI and Orbit.
