For the Edyn Group, navigating a change in operational systems came with the challenge of moving their global distribution system (GDS) to a new channel manager. This shift demanded an immense data migration effort, particularly in the realm of rate mapping. Joe Puskorius, Head of Channel Distribution at Edyn Group, described it as “one of those obvious areas for automation—highly repetitive and logic-based, yet historically manual.”
Faced with tight timelines and resource constraints, Edyn turned to Aphy, a trusted strategic partner known for their expertise in hospitality technology. The project was not just about solving an immediate problem but establishing a foundation for efficiency and scalability.
Rate mapping, a critical yet mundane task, became a bottleneck during Edyn's system transition. The process involved migrating thousands of mappings manually—a task Joe labeled as “mind-numbing” and prone to human error. Compounding the problem was the sheer scale of the workload: “Approximately 2-2.5 months of one person’s dedicated work,” Joe recalled, “assuming eight-hour days, five days a week, without a break.”
The stakes were high. The manual approach drained resources, delayed timelines, and left room for errors. Additionally, Edyn’s staff found themselves pulled away from their primary roles, putting day-to-day operations under stress. Joe emphasized the critical question: “Why allocate our best people to something that a robot can do better and faster?”
Edyn sought out Aphy due to their proven track record and understanding of hospitality-specific challenges. Joe praised Aphy's unique approach: “They speak our language. Other providers offered generic automation solutions, but Aphy’s deep industry knowledge meant they could guide us, rather than us guiding them.”
The implementation process was seamless, even under intense time pressure. Aphy’s confidence shone through their offer to build a pilot solution free of charge—a bold gesture that Joe said “made the decision process much easier.” He also highlighted their responsiveness, stating, “Whenever challenges arose, they were quick to jump on calls, reverse engineer issues, and keep us on track.”
Aphy’s automation tool not only completed the migration project but became a reusable asset for future tasks, from contractor rate updates to new project rollouts. Joe underscored this long-term value: “It wasn’t a disposable tool—it’s something we can continue using and refining.”
The results were transformative. And by automating rate mapping, Edyn reduced system downtime from 24 hours to just 30 minutes during migrations—a stark contrast that minimized disruptions for their properties. “It gave us our time back,” Joe said. Staff no longer had to put their regular duties on hold, alleviating stress and boosting morale.
Operational efficiency soared, with automation achieving a 98% accuracy rate by the end of the pilot. While some initial errors surfaced due to unforeseen complexities, these became invaluable lessons that fine-tuned the system. Reflecting on the learning curve, Joe noted, “What happened is that, at the time, we tried to do too much too quickly. But by the end, we had a solid system we could trust.”
Beyond the immediate gains, the project spurred a cultural shift within Edyn. Automation demonstrated that many tedious tasks could be eliminated, empowering employees to focus on strategic initiatives. Joe shared the team's reaction: “There was a huge sigh of relief when they realized they would no longer have to do 10-12 thousand mappings manually.”
This collaboration extended beyond the immediate project, showcasing the strategic potential of automation. “It helps us see how scalable our business can be,” Joe remarked. With automation handling repetitive tasks, Edyn could scale operations without proportionally increasing staffing. Moreover, the project instilled confidence in exploring similar innovations across other business areas.
Looking ahead, Joe acknowledged the potential for further development: “What Aphy makes easy is that their robots are repurposable. It’s not starting from scratch every time; we can build on what we’ve already achieved.”
Edyn’s partnership with Aphy exemplifies how the right technological solution can transform a business challenge into an opportunity. By addressing a critical pain point with precision, Aphy helped Edyn save time, enhance accuracy, and set the stage for sustainable growth. Joe summed it up best: “This wasn’t just about solving one problem—it’s about creating a future where our team can focus on what truly matters.”
