Case Study: Developing and Launching BDO’s ‘Personas’ – a Secure Generative AI Solution to Enhance Efficiency and Innovation
The Client
BDO UK is a leading accountancy and business advisory firm offering tax, audit and assurance, advisory, and business outsourcing services across various sectors. With operations in 18 locations and approximately 8,000 employees, BDO UK is known for its proactive, flexible approach and commitment to responsibility, integrity, and collaboration.
Testimonial from Dan Francis, Chief Innovation & Digital Officer
“FSP’s support in helping BDO’s Innovation and Digital Office design and build the Personas AI product has been instrumental in the product’s success. Their technical expertise and collaborative approach helped us to harness the potential of generative AI technology securely and effectively, ensuring our platform streamlines day-to-day tasks and enables our 8,000 people to focus on providing more complex, strategic advice to our clients.”
The Challenge
BDO UK aimed to enhance its digital presence and boost productivity among its 8,000 employees by leveraging cutting-edge AI technology. The firm sought to develop a secure generative AI platform that could streamline day-to-day tasks and allow employees to focus on providing complex, strategic advice to clients.
The Solution
FSP collaborated with BDO to design and build Personas, a secure internal AI platform. Utilising the latest GPT-4 models, Personas was developed to augment employees’ capabilities and improve efficiency across various tasks, from drafting reports and creating new content to analysing documents and identifying ways to enhance operational efficiencies.
Key Features
- Custom Personas
The platform can adapt to the style and specialism of each user, refining prompts and delivering outputs tailored to individual needs and purposes. This feature ensures that BDO’s brand guidelines around language, tone of voice, and writing style are consistently reflected in all outputs.
- BDO Voice Capabilities
Embedded within the platform, these capabilities ensure that all communications adhere to BDO’s brand standards.
- Secure Environment
Built using Microsoft AI technology, Personas operates within a secure BDO environment, ensuring data confidentiality and compliance.
Implementation
The platform was rolled out to all 8,000 employees at BDO, with extensive support and training provided to ensure smooth adoption and integration into daily workflows.
Results
- Increased Efficiency
Personas has made day-to-day tasks more efficient, freeing up time for employees to focus on more strategic activities.
- Enhanced Productivity
By supporting a wide range of tasks, the platform has significantly boosted productivity across the firm.
- Innovation and Development
Personas was born out of BDO Labs, the firm’s Innovation and Digital Office. Over the past year, BDO Labs has conducted more than 100 technology experiments, resulting in new digital products and platforms and saving hundreds of thousands of people-hours.
Conclusion
FSP’s collaboration with BDO in developing and launching the Personas platform has not only enhanced productivity and efficiency but also reinforced BDO’s commitment to innovation and digital transformation. The successful implementation of Personas showcases the potential of AI technology in driving business growth and operational excellence.