At ChatFin, we’ve had the unique opportunity to collaborate with some amazingly forward-thinking finance teams across various industries. These teams, led by leaders who not only embrace change but actively seek it, believed in the transformative power of AI and wanted to be at the forefront of this revolution. Here’s a closer look at what we’ve learned from deploying ChatFin AI, the challenges we faced, and the unexpected joys that came from our journey.
The Adventurous Beginnings
Our journey began with organizations whose leadership was keen to explore new technological horizons. They weren’t just open to innovation; they were champions of it. This pioneering spirit was crucial, as it set the tone for the entire project. Every company that decided to give ChatFin AI a go shared this trait: they were ready to pilot and experiment, ensuring that every stakeholder, from the CFO to the end-users in the finance department, was involved in a journey of discovery and adaptation.
Pilot Before the Leap
It’s one thing to believe in technology and another to integrate it seamlessly into your daily operations. We learned early on that every company wants to pilot it.. It wasn’t just about testing the software but about understanding how it meshed with the people who would use it every day. These pilot programs allowed us to fine-tune ChatFin AI, adapting it to the real and varied needs of each team.
Configuration Surprises and IT Hurdles
Configuring ChatFin for our clients turned out to be easier than we anticipated. However, we quickly realized that the real challenge lay in the logistics—securing client laptops, gaining access to test environments, and setting up ERP sandboxes became significant hurdles. These tasks took more time than expected, but they were essential for ensuring that the AI could operate in a real-world setting without disrupting existing workflows.
Expanding the AI’s Role
We started with simpler use cases such as queries and automation. Once these functions were running smoothly, we moved on to more complex tasks like reconciliation and document processing. This gradual escalation allowed the finance teams to grow comfortable with the AI’s capabilities and to start trusting it with more sensitive operations.
Testing Times Are Exciting Times
Testing finance AI turned out to be straightforward technically, but the real excitement came from the finance teams. Everyone wanted to be involved—from the CFOs and VPs of Finance to the end users. This enthusiasm was infectious and incredibly beneficial. It created a dynamic feedback loop where everyone felt their input was valued and taken into account.
Building a Robust Feedback Mechanism
One of our key initiatives was developing a robust feedback mechanism. We wanted to hear from our users—what they loved, what frustrated them, and what they hoped the AI could eventually help them achieve. This feedback became a cornerstone of our development process, helping us to continuously refine and enhance ChatFin AI.
Documentation as a Cornerstone
Throughout this process, we meticulously documented everything—from initial expectations and project scope to user feedback and future roadmap items. This documentation wasn’t just bureaucratic; it was our roadmap and our history. It helped us set clear expectations and provided a clear trail of our journey and growth.
Lessons and Looking Forward
Deploying ChatFin AI in finance teams has been a journey of learning and adaptation. We’ve seen firsthand how AI can transform everyday operations and decision-making processes. More importantly, we’ve learned that the success of such technology depends as much on the people and planning as it does on the software itself. As we move forward, these lessons will guide us in introducing ChatFin AI to more teams and making it an even more powerful tool in the financial sector.
