MMK Introduces Digital Assistant for Employees and Suppliers

Magnitogorsk Iron and Steel Works (MMK) has employed a digital assistant within the Company's commercial department. The tool, which is based on the Naumen platform, promptly processes requests from inside the Company as well as from external suppliers and provides up-to-date information about the procurement process.

The chatbot is a new solution adopted as part of MMK's digital transformation strategy that helps to optimise the Company's business processes. The new service saves specialists' time by answering questions and instantly producing the necessary information.

The digital assistant was developed and implemented within a short time frame by specialists from MMK-Informservice and MMK's Category Procurement Department. The chatbot is available 24/7 and determines the topic of the request independently thanks to a combination of training samples and machine learning methods. The online consultant can provide information on items that are being purchased and on requests for materials, as well as explain how to register on MMK's online trading platform, help with a supplier’s personal account and much more. The service is integrated with the Company's internal informational systems, which ensures that the user receives comprehensive information in response to his or her request.

The chatbot has a familiar widget with an intuitive interface. Individuals can receive an online consultation on the MMK website in the “Suppliers” section and via the Telegram messenger, while internal customers can also ask questions in the “My MMK” corporate mobile app. The Company's suppliers can communicate with the virtual assistant without authorisation. In the first month of operation, the chatbot responded to 229 inquiries, with the most frequent requests being related to MMK's online trading platform.