Better knowledge sharing and customer support with AI agent delivered by Antire
For Ortopediteknikk, innovation is about more than technology. It is about giving employees better tools and giving users a better quality of life. Together with Antire, the company has developed artificial intelligence that makes work more efficient, improves user support, and knowledge sharing.
For nearly 50 years, Ortopediteknikk has delivered individually adapted orthopaedic devices that enable mobility and independence. Each year, 60,000 custom devices are produced and delivered to more than 30,000 users. The company is family-owned and known for a strong workplace culture, where many employees stay for decades. Knowledge sharing and collaboration have been central from the start.
“Ortopediteknikk is an active contributor to developing our field and the industry, and to providing a complete service with the goal of improving users’ quality of life. We do this independently and with our industry association,” says CEO Aasa Roth.
Artificial intelligence (AI) and operational technology (OT)
Operational technology is developing rapidly, while AI is a topic of wide attention in society. Since Ortopediteknikk wants to lead the industry in technology, as an attractive employer, and in knowledge sharing, the company decided to explore the potential of AI.
The work began with a brainstorming session: how could AI be used to collect information stored in many places and make it easier to find?
“Our first thought was what we could do for users and the professional community around us. But we decided to start internally to ensure the quality we want, and at the same time provide a tool that makes work more efficient,” says Erik Senstad, Head of Sales and Marketing at Ortopediteknikk.
“We want to lead the industry in a direction that benefits everyone. We focus on being an inclusive workplace, having a strong work environment, supporting personal development, and using technology where it makes sense,” Senstad adds.
Pictured above: Ortopediteknikk meets people, understands their goals, and helps them succeed—whether it is walking to the store, skiing, playing football, or simply standing up for a few minutes each day.
Better answers and knowledge sharing with an AI agent
Like in many organizations, employees spent too much time searching for information about leave, patient support, or prosthetics production. Often, the answer came only after asking a colleague.
Together with Antire’s AI Value Center, Ortopediteknikk explored different areas for using AI:
- Improving efficiency with data analysis and process optimization.
- Enhancing marketing and sales processes.
- Developing better tools to increase engagement internally and externally.
- Making information easier to find and improving daily work.
The company chose the last option: using an AI agent to collect and present information from internal and external sources such as manuals, documents, routines, government regulations, and specialized systems like NOBS (ERP and patient record system for orthopaedics).
AI agent in Microsoft Teams
The AI agent was developed with Antire’s AI Value Center and first tested as a proof of concept. It is integrated into Microsoft Teams, which makes it easy to use without training. The agent always refers to its sources so that answers can be verified.
“The basic setup is solid, and it looks easy to add more sources. The POC is a promising start,” says Senstad.
Today, the AI agent can answer questions such as:
- How many vacation days do I have?
- What is the procedure for hazardous waste?
- What should I do if I get sick or injured at work?
- How do I create a new ERP user?
- What is Ortopediteknikk’s strategy?
- How do I produce a below-knee prosthesis?
“A small start to something big”
Even in its early phase, the AI agent makes work more efficient. Employees find it easier to ask the agent than to interrupt a colleague.
Results so far:
- Employees find answers faster and save time.
- Managers spend more time on strategic tasks.
- Equal access to the agent across all locations.
AI use creates enthusiasm and strengthens Ortopediteknikk’s profile as an attractive employer.
“This is a small start to something big. The project is as much about developing our AI competence as about the product itself. The more we learn, the more we understand how we can use this technology in the future. Antire, with its broad AI expertise, has been the perfect partner,” says Aasa Roth.
Handling complex questions
The agent is expected to handle more complex questions in the future. For example:
- How many employees in one department still have vacation days left?
- Which patients with heavy equipment have not been assigned their next follow-up?
“The ultimate goal is a solution that gives us clear answers to questions we currently spend hours on, searching through spreadsheets and exports from different systems,” says Roth.
She emphasizes that access control is critical: “We must ensure that information and sources are only available to those who need them. Sensitive data and patient information must never be exposed.”
Improving quality of life
Orthopaedic technology is about preventing, diagnosing, and treating injuries, deformities, and diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Orthopaedic devices provide mobility and independence. Ortopediteknikk meets people, understands their goals, and helps them succeed—whether walking to the store, skiing, playing football, or simply standing up for a few minutes daily.
The company aims to be a meaningful workplace, a trusted partner for professionals, and the first choice for those needing orthopaedic devices. Most of its revenue comes from producing and adapting individually designed aids.
