Helm goes global with Dr. Oetker

Frozen food giant optimises production line with computer vision

2022

Helm (previously Praekelt Consulting), Africa's customer experience innovation experts, will be going global again with its client Dr. Oetker, purveyors of the perfect pizza.

Stef Adonis

May 11

2 min read

Dawood Patel, CEO of Helm, confirmed that the AI work being done locally will be rolled out in Poland next. “This is an exciting time for us. We’ve been working with the team at Dr. Oetker in South Africa for almost three years now. Our relationship with them started when they approached us in Johannesburg to find out if technology and machine learning could help them make an even better pizza.”

‍

“The announcement of our technology being rolled out in other markets comes at a time when we’ve rebranded from Praekelt Consulting to Helm – a new name taking on new markets with new vigour.”

Helm is synonymous with turning complex human realities into experiences users cannot live without. By introducing high-res cameras to the Dr. Oetker production line, using AI and computer vision, the team is working on being able to identify overtopped, uneven or substandard pizza on an ongoing basis.

Tobias Bauer, senior executive manager of the Pizza Production Unit at Dr. Oetker, says the business stands for a diversity of products with superlative, unmatched quality.

"

We have always been committed to surprising and delighting our customers with pizzas that taste and look like a pizza prepared from scratch. However, monitoring for uneven or overtopped pizzas is open to human error, and quite a challenge, as one person’s under-topped pizza is another’s idea of perfection. We are working with Helm to help the decision making with machine learning – with great success so far.

Tobias Bauer 

Pizza Production Unit Senior Executive Manager, Dr. Oetker

Images of the pizzas are captured through four main phases: the baking of the pizza, the addition of the sauce, the topping of the cheese and the final step before it’s packaged and frozen. The images are then sent to the Helm Engine Machine Learning service where they are processed before being sent to the user interface (UI) where a team member analyses the data and decides what to do next.

‍

Patel explains that the UI is compatible with multiple devices, and would be usable on laptops, tablets, cellphones and more. “We are constantly working to perfect Dr. Oetkers’s monitoring system and rolling it out to more stations in new countries is testament to the positive results our client is experiencing. This helps and frees employees up.”

Helm is no stranger to seeing its work being rolled out globally. Previous client work that was introduced to new markets includes MTN, DSTV and Game. Dr. Oetker is the first client to do so since the business has rebranded from Praekelt Consulting.

See more insights

"Is ChatGPT a better writer than me?"

A writer’s dilemma by Cayley Jones, UX Writer at Helm

Using AI to enhance the call to action

Helm CCO Jeané van Greunen explores the role of AI in marketing today, and how the mighty CTA can benefit.

How Helm Gen™ Compares With Mainstream Generative AI

Weighing up a Retrieval-Augmented Generation solution against a platform backed by a Large Language Model, such as ChatGPT

Helm Gen™ – From RAG to Riches

Unpacking the intricacies of Large Language Models and opening the door for Helm Gen through RAG, a fitting form of Generative AI for the business world

MoneyUp Chat by Capitec aims to improve SA's financial literacy

WhatsApp solution developed for SA's largest retail bank aims to increase access to relevant financial education.

Humans and AI – exploring the cycle of complementary coexistence

Human input is crucial in order to allow technology to evolve. So, who are the real people who engage with AI, and how does their involvement shape its evolution?

African Tech earns international award in Berlin

Intelligent assistant built by South African partnership recognised by Mobile Marketing Association

5 things your business should consider when using AI

Insights and principles for any organisation thinking about implementing an AI solution

Trends to look out for in 2023

Written by an actual Machine Learning model, along with Helm’s award-winning Natural Language Processing Specialist and their Head of Engineering.

Ride the AI revolution, don’t fear it

Humankind’s ability to thrive through adversity and adapt to innovation is something that cannot be replicated, but rather enhanced by AI.

Helm hits 1 billion messages with DStv Assist

Chat-based self-service assistant transforms the customer experience for Africa's entertainment giants

Giving children a Smartstart

Multilingual intelligent assistant bridges the gap and secures a Smarties Award in the process

Free legal help for all South Africans

Helm helps local lawyer change Customer Experience and bring LUMA Legal to life

Helm goes global with Dr. Oetker

Frozen food giant optimises production line with computer vision

Cellfind finalises partnership with Helm

Leading mobile tech company appoints Africa’s CX innovation experts