Brazilian retail gains AI solution: startup launches NEO Lume, technology that transforms data into fast decisions

NEO Estech, a Brazilian startup specializing in data intelligence applied to equipment management, announces the launch of NEO Lume, its new AI dedicated to monitoring and technical support. Starting today, October 9th, customers will be able to interact directly with artificial intelligence via web, app, or WhatsApp, to receive information and resolve issues related to the operation of their in-store equipment.

The startup operates mainly in the supermarket and wholesale sector, where the largest operating expenses are electricity (1.5% to 3.5% of gross revenue), maintenance (0.8% to 1.5%), and losses (1.8% to 2.5%), according to studies by the Brazilian Supermarket Association (ABRAS), NielsenIQ, energy consultancies, and sector network audits.

With the company's monitoring solutions, all these costs can be reduced. Now, with NEO Lume, retailers have access to information about their equipment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The AI monitors several areas of interest, such as refrigeration, air conditioning, energy and water consumption, generators, and fire suppression systems.

Communication between the user and the AI is facilitated by the use of a natural language model. It's possible to ask, for example, "Which machines have open tickets for more than three days?" stories "Which equipment spends more time with the door open?", in addition to reporting bugs or requesting changes to system scales and settings directly through the conversation. NEO Lume understands the context, identifies the originating installation and makes data interpretation more accessible.

Sami Diba, CEO of NEO Estech, states that the artificial intelligence training was carried out using five years of data collection with proprietary technology, including from operations in large chains such as Carrefour, Atacadão, Savegnago, Tauste, and Confiança. "We know that retail operates in detail, and often it's precisely these details that go unnoticed. It was based on them that we created Lume. It learns from daily operations and returns practical intelligence to the client. It anticipates problems, avoids waste, and directly contributes to the financial health of the business," he explains. 

The artificial intelligence will serve in five languages: Portuguese, English, Spanish, French, and Italian. The idea is to reinforce NEO Estech's internationalization strategy, which is already present in six countries.

Fábio Pastro Gomes, the startup's marketing and branding coordinator, commented that the creation of the AI was a necessary step for the expansion of operations. "Lume is essential not only for the efficiency gains but also because scaling quality technical support with such comprehensive coverage would be impossible with people alone. We keep our team of specialists always available, but for many questions and more repetitive actions, it's now possible to resolve them directly via cell phone," he concluded.