AI tools for Forward Deployed Engineering — Vasuman Moza, Varick Agents

All right, first and foremost, thanks so All right, first and foremost, thanks so much for being here. Um, it's been a much for being here. Um, it's been a much for being here. Um, it's been a great experience. You know, obviously great experience. You know, obviously great experience. You know, obviously chatting amongst uh other industry chatting amongst uh other industry chatting amongst uh other industry giants like Curser and Factory and and giants like Curser and Factory and and giants like Curser and Factory and and Dropm and I'm sure you guys are mostly Dropm and I'm sure you guys are mostly Dropm and I'm sure you guys are mostly here for them, but thanks for sticking here for them, but thanks for sticking here for them, but thanks for sticking around for this talk. My name is Voss. around for this talk. My name is Voss. around for this talk. My name is Voss. I'm the CEO of Veric Agents. We work I'm the CEO of Veric Agents. We work I'm the CEO of Veric Agents. We work with some of the largest companies on with some of the largest companies on with some of the largest companies on the planet transforming them from the the planet transforming them from the the planet transforming them from the inside out with uh AI and agents. Um and inside out with uh AI and agents. Um and inside out with uh AI and agents. Um and because of the nature of our work which because of the nature of our work which because of the nature of our work which is highly bespoke, we go very deep into is highly bespoke, we go very deep into is highly bespoke, we go very deep into our clients. It requires a lot of our clients. It requires a lot of our clients. It requires a lot of forward deployed engineering. And this forward deployed engineering. And this forward deployed engineering. And this conversation is around why that's so conversation is around why that's so conversation is around why that's so important, how we approach it at Veric important, how we approach it at Veric important, how we approach it at Veric uh and some of the internal tooling that uh and some of the internal tooling that uh and some of the internal tooling that we've created internally to allow us to we've created internally to allow us to we've created internally to allow us to scale that forward deployed motion scale that forward deployed motion scale that forward deployed motion without you know increasing headcount without you know increasing headcount without you know increasing headcount exponentially. exponentially. exponentially. And it's titled the next bottleneck And it's titled the next bottleneck And it's titled the next bottleneck because I fundamentally believe the next because I fundamentally believe the next because I fundamentally believe the next bottleneck is how deep can you go into a bottleneck is how deep can you go into a bottleneck is how deep can you go into a customer without scaling headcount uh customer without scaling headcount uh customer without scaling headcount uh exponentially. How can AI do that job exponentially. How can AI do that job exponentially. How can AI do that job for you? for you? for you? So as stated previously, AI is solving So as stated previously, AI is solving So as stated previously, AI is solving the execution of work. Um if you were to the execution of work. Um if you were to the execution of work. Um if you were to look back a couple years ago before uh look back a couple years ago before uh look back a couple years ago before uh you know thinking agents and reasoning you know thinking agents and reasoning you know thinking agents and reasoning agents were a widespread phenomenon uh agents were a widespread phenomenon uh agents were a widespread phenomenon uh and I had asked you how many of you have and I had asked you how many of you have and I had asked you how many of you have used AI to solve an endto-end task. the used AI to solve an endto-end task. the used AI to solve an endto-end task. the answer would be slim to none. But if I answer would be slim to none. But if I answer would be slim to none. But if I asked that same question to everyone asked that same question to everyone asked that same question to everyone today saying, "Has AI solved an today saying, "Has AI solved an today saying, "Has AI solved an endto-end task for you today?" I'm sure endto-end task for you today?" I'm sure endto-end task for you today?" I'm sure every single one of you would raise your every single one of you would raise your every single one of you would raise your hands. So clearly execution is no longer hands. So clearly execution is no longer hands. So clearly execution is no longer the core bottleneck. The models are the core bottleneck. The models are the core bottleneck. The models are improving to the point where improving to the point where improving to the point where intelligence is no longer the constraint intelligence is no longer the constraint intelligence is no longer the constraint and harnesses are being built in a way and harnesses are being built in a way and harnesses are being built in a way that allow us to use whether it's

that allow us to use whether it's that allow us to use whether it's browser use tooling or API tooling uh browser use tooling or API tooling uh browser use tooling or API tooling uh with very robust MCPs that allow us to with very robust MCPs that allow us to with very robust MCPs that allow us to execute work uh with near perfection. execute work uh with near perfection. execute work uh with near perfection. The difference and the bottleneck that The difference and the bottleneck that The difference and the bottleneck that is still here is how much can you is still here is how much can you is still here is how much can you understand the business because every understand the business because every understand the business because every business, every consumer is different. business, every consumer is different. business, every consumer is different. Uh one sales department for a healthcare Uh one sales department for a healthcare Uh one sales department for a healthcare company for example operates completely company for example operates completely company for example operates completely differently than the sales department differently than the sales department differently than the sales department for a SAS company. And this is something for a SAS company. And this is something for a SAS company. And this is something that we see with our work today at Veric that we see with our work today at Veric that we see with our work today at Veric Agents. And if there are any business Agents. And if there are any business Agents. And if there are any business operators in the room, you know exactly operators in the room, you know exactly operators in the room, you know exactly how hard it is to wrangle uh the latest how hard it is to wrangle uh the latest how hard it is to wrangle uh the latest models to solve for your specific use models to solve for your specific use models to solve for your specific use cases. It's very difficult to extract cases. It's very difficult to extract cases. It's very difficult to extract that context from your you know that context from your you know that context from your you know employees and from your team and it's employees and from your team and it's employees and from your team and it's very difficult to feed that into an API very difficult to feed that into an API very difficult to feed that into an API call or a simple model call uh that call or a simple model call uh that call or a simple model call uh that doesn't break down very quickly. So the doesn't break down very quickly. So the doesn't break down very quickly. So the bottleneck is how much can you process bottleneck is how much can you process bottleneck is how much can you process re-engineer how much can you process re-engineer how much can you process re-engineer how much can you process understand and that's the job that we do understand and that's the job that we do understand and that's the job that we do here at Veric. So right now operations here at Veric. So right now operations here at Veric. So right now operations are fundamentally centered around the are fundamentally centered around the are fundamentally centered around the human. uh right now the work that you do human. uh right now the work that you do human. uh right now the work that you do today is done by humans whether it's on today is done by humans whether it's on today is done by humans whether it's on top of software or completely agnostic top of software or completely agnostic top of software or completely agnostic to software uh but in the future to software uh but in the future to software uh but in the future operations will be centered around AI operations will be centered around AI operations will be centered around AI and this means not only you know and this means not only you know and this means not only you know providing companies with AI tooling like providing companies with AI tooling like providing companies with AI tooling like a cursor cloud codeex like a factory a cursor cloud codeex like a factory a cursor cloud codeex like a factory like any of the other brilliant AI tools like any of the other brilliant AI tools like any of the other brilliant AI tools that you sure you're experiencing here that you sure you're experiencing here that you sure you're experiencing here today but also changing the operations today but also changing the operations today but also changing the operations and the processes themselves and and the processes themselves and and the processes themselves and fundamentally that is the role of a fundamentally that is the role of a fundamentally that is the role of a forward deployed engineer it's going

forward deployed engineer it's going forward deployed engineer it's going into the company, understanding how into the company, understanding how into the company, understanding how things run today and reinvisioning what things run today and reinvisioning what things run today and reinvisioning what it could look like tomorrow. And we it could look like tomorrow. And we it could look like tomorrow. And we believe that is our job at Veric and why believe that is our job at Veric and why believe that is our job at Veric and why forward deployed engineering is such a forward deployed engineering is such a forward deployed engineering is such a core part of what we do. core part of what we do. core part of what we do. So a forward deployed agent, what does So a forward deployed agent, what does So a forward deployed agent, what does that really mean? So why do we need that really mean? So why do we need that really mean? So why do we need FTEEs? As stated previously, I'm not FTEEs? As stated previously, I'm not FTEEs? As stated previously, I'm not going to, you know, go into this too going to, you know, go into this too going to, you know, go into this too much. I'm sure you've been hearing a lot much. I'm sure you've been hearing a lot much. I'm sure you've been hearing a lot of this today. Uh FTEEs are responsible of this today. Uh FTEEs are responsible of this today. Uh FTEEs are responsible for a few different things. One is they for a few different things. One is they for a few different things. One is they map the way the humans are doing their map the way the humans are doing their map the way the humans are doing their work today. So how we do that at Veric work today. So how we do that at Veric work today. So how we do that at Veric is several forward deployed engineers is several forward deployed engineers is several forward deployed engineers will be embedded directly with a will be embedded directly with a will be embedded directly with a customer. You can imagine it's a customer. You can imagine it's a customer. You can imagine it's a enterprise company with thousands of enterprise company with thousands of enterprise company with thousands of employees but we'll scope it down to a employees but we'll scope it down to a employees but we'll scope it down to a single department. In a finance single department. In a finance single department. In a finance department for example we'll have them department for example we'll have them department for example we'll have them sit down with the process leads for AP sit down with the process leads for AP sit down with the process leads for AP AR card reconciliation banking billing AR card reconciliation banking billing AR card reconciliation banking billing FPNA etc. So interviewing every single FPNA etc. So interviewing every single FPNA etc. So interviewing every single one of these process leads to understand one of these process leads to understand one of these process leads to understand not only how are things running today not only how are things running today not only how are things running today but more importantly when things go but more importantly when things go but more importantly when things go wrong what happens. You know, a lot of wrong what happens. You know, a lot of wrong what happens. You know, a lot of the documentation that you have at the documentation that you have at the documentation that you have at companies is about the golden path and companies is about the golden path and companies is about the golden path and maybe an edge case or two, but this is maybe an edge case or two, but this is maybe an edge case or two, but this is still fundamentally not the reality still fundamentally not the reality still fundamentally not the reality where when we talk to customers, it's where when we talk to customers, it's where when we talk to customers, it's it's a lot of, you know, Sarah in AP it's a lot of, you know, Sarah in AP it's a lot of, you know, Sarah in AP handles the workflow today in this way, handles the workflow today in this way, handles the workflow today in this way, but when things go wrong, she actually but when things go wrong, she actually but when things go wrong, she actually sends it over to Chris, who then takes 4 sends it over to Chris, who then takes 4 sends it over to Chris, who then takes 4 days of cycle time to handle days of cycle time to handle days of cycle time to handle reconciliations between a purchase order reconciliations between a purchase order reconciliations between a purchase order and an invoice. Those are the realities and an invoice. Those are the realities and an invoice. Those are the realities that are one unique to every single that are one unique to every single that are one unique to every single company. the way that they handle things company. the way that they handle things company. the way that they handle things is different from one company to the is different from one company to the is different from one company to the next and two the real bottleneck for why next and two the real bottleneck for why next and two the real bottleneck for why AI can't just run a muck and handle

AI can't just run a muck and handle AI can't just run a muck and handle endto-end processes without the endto-end processes without the endto-end processes without the handholding that you see today in the handholding that you see today in the handholding that you see today in the enterprise. Um so this is the first enterprise. Um so this is the first enterprise. Um so this is the first section which is mapping how humans do section which is mapping how humans do section which is mapping how humans do the work. The second is really the work. The second is really the work. The second is really re-engineering the process around AI. So re-engineering the process around AI. So re-engineering the process around AI. So what does this mean? You know, there's a what does this mean? You know, there's a what does this mean? You know, there's a lot of talk being given today in terms lot of talk being given today in terms lot of talk being given today in terms of slapping AI onto broken processes, of slapping AI onto broken processes, of slapping AI onto broken processes, and that's fundamentally why you don't and that's fundamentally why you don't and that's fundamentally why you don't see the ROI across the industry today. see the ROI across the industry today. see the ROI across the industry today. There's a lot of, you know, There's a lot of, you know, There's a lot of, you know, semi-outdated but still very relevant semi-outdated but still very relevant semi-outdated but still very relevant statistics like the MIT review saying statistics like the MIT review saying statistics like the MIT review saying that 95% of generative AI pilots fail to that 95% of generative AI pilots fail to that 95% of generative AI pilots fail to reach production or the other statistic reach production or the other statistic reach production or the other statistic which was 87% very similar thing that which was 87% very similar thing that which was 87% very similar thing that most AI pilots don't produce measurable most AI pilots don't produce measurable most AI pilots don't produce measurable ROI or they don't ship to production ROI or they don't ship to production ROI or they don't ship to production period. And the reason for that is a lot period. And the reason for that is a lot period. And the reason for that is a lot of the time AI is being slapped on top of the time AI is being slapped on top of the time AI is being slapped on top of broken processes in a way that the AI of broken processes in a way that the AI of broken processes in a way that the AI doesn't actually understand how to do doesn't actually understand how to do doesn't actually understand how to do things. Um you see that this at the things. Um you see that this at the things. Um you see that this at the simplest level with coding where as an simplest level with coding where as an simplest level with coding where as an engineer it's very difficult even with engineer it's very difficult even with engineer it's very difficult even with goal loops and the the latest technology goal loops and the the latest technology goal loops and the the latest technology there uh to just say go and solve this there uh to just say go and solve this there uh to just say go and solve this for me and have it run off and refactor for me and have it run off and refactor for me and have it run off and refactor entire code bases without some degree of entire code bases without some degree of entire code bases without some degree of human input. Now if you extrapolate that human input. Now if you extrapolate that human input. Now if you extrapolate that to a business context, these are very to a business context, these are very to a business context, these are very non-technical operators in finance, non-technical operators in finance, non-technical operators in finance, sales, marketing, procurement, sales, marketing, procurement, sales, marketing, procurement, logistics, uh etc. So giving them this logistics, uh etc. So giving them this logistics, uh etc. So giving them this AI tooling will not allow them to AI tooling will not allow them to AI tooling will not allow them to receive the same ROI that a software receive the same ROI that a software receive the same ROI that a software engineer might be able to to uh produce engineer might be able to to uh produce engineer might be able to to uh produce or create. Um so what this means is you or create. Um so what this means is you or create. Um so what this means is you need for deployed engineers to help them

need for deployed engineers to help them need for deployed engineers to help them re-engineer their current process around re-engineer their current process around re-engineer their current process around AI. it needs to be not too different to AI. it needs to be not too different to AI. it needs to be not too different to where they don't understand, you know, where they don't understand, you know, where they don't understand, you know, how to operate the system. For example, how to operate the system. For example, how to operate the system. For example, if they're used to an 11step workflow if they're used to an 11step workflow if they're used to an 11step workflow and you come in and change that with a and you come in and change that with a and you come in and change that with a one-step, they might be taking it back, one-step, they might be taking it back, one-step, they might be taking it back, the adoption rates might suffer, etc. As the adoption rates might suffer, etc. As the adoption rates might suffer, etc. As was alluded to in previous was alluded to in previous was alluded to in previous presentations. Um, but at the same time, presentations. Um, but at the same time, presentations. Um, but at the same time, it needs to be different enough to where it needs to be different enough to where it needs to be different enough to where you're actually capturing the ROI. you're actually capturing the ROI. you're actually capturing the ROI. Meaning, you do say, "All right, four Meaning, you do say, "All right, four Meaning, you do say, "All right, four out of these eight steps will be handled out of these eight steps will be handled out of these eight steps will be handled completely autonomously. The other three completely autonomously. The other three completely autonomously. The other three will be handled with some human in the will be handled with some human in the will be handled with some human in the loop intervention and one step of that loop intervention and one step of that loop intervention and one step of that process will be handled by a human process will be handled by a human process will be handled by a human period either because the risk is too period either because the risk is too period either because the risk is too high or because you know it's it's not high or because you know it's it's not high or because you know it's it's not unique enough for an agent to produce unique enough for an agent to produce unique enough for an agent to produce measurable value in that specific step measurable value in that specific step measurable value in that specific step of the process. So that's the second of the process. So that's the second of the process. So that's the second major step of a forward deployed major step of a forward deployed major step of a forward deployed engineer. It's why we need them. And engineer. It's why we need them. And engineer. It's why we need them. And third and finally, and this is what I third and finally, and this is what I third and finally, and this is what I want to uh bring one of my heads of want to uh bring one of my heads of want to uh bring one of my heads of engineering to discuss in just a moment engineering to discuss in just a moment engineering to discuss in just a moment is actually deploying these agents on is actually deploying these agents on is actually deploying these agents on top of existing systems. So top of existing systems. So top of existing systems. So fundamentally at Veric, we believe that fundamentally at Veric, we believe that fundamentally at Veric, we believe that the AI wave left a lot of enterprise the AI wave left a lot of enterprise the AI wave left a lot of enterprise behind. A lot of enterprises married to behind. A lot of enterprises married to behind. A lot of enterprises married to their systems of record. Not everybody, their systems of record. Not everybody, their systems of record. Not everybody, but most of them are. Uh they've but most of them are. Uh they've but most of them are. Uh they've migrated to Netswuite, they've migrated migrated to Netswuite, they've migrated migrated to Netswuite, they've migrated to Dynamics, they migrated to SAP and to Dynamics, they migrated to SAP and to Dynamics, they migrated to SAP and Salesforce. And when you pitch them AI Salesforce. And when you pitch them AI Salesforce. And when you pitch them AI solutions that live completely desperate solutions that live completely desperate solutions that live completely desperate from these systems, uh you're ignoring from these systems, uh you're ignoring from these systems, uh you're ignoring the reality of enterprise. One of the the reality of enterprise. One of the the reality of enterprise. One of the quotes from our clients said that they quotes from our clients said that they quotes from our clients said that they spent $5 million and 5 years migrating spent $5 million and 5 years migrating spent $5 million and 5 years migrating to uh Netswuite. That's a real quote. So

to uh Netswuite. That's a real quote. So to uh Netswuite. That's a real quote. So if you're telling them, hey, I have this if you're telling them, hey, I have this if you're telling them, hey, I have this fancy AI tooling, but by the way, you fancy AI tooling, but by the way, you fancy AI tooling, but by the way, you have to migrate off of Netswuite, have to migrate off of Netswuite, have to migrate off of Netswuite, they're going to tell you to get out. they're going to tell you to get out. they're going to tell you to get out. They don't have any appetite for that. They don't have any appetite for that. They don't have any appetite for that. So what we believe in Veric believe in So what we believe in Veric believe in So what we believe in Veric believe in at Veric is we'll build the agents on at Veric is we'll build the agents on at Veric is we'll build the agents on top of your systems of record and the top of your systems of record and the top of your systems of record and the way that we do that is quite uh unique. way that we do that is quite uh unique. way that we do that is quite uh unique. We have our own Veric OS platform that We have our own Veric OS platform that We have our own Veric OS platform that allows us to spin up agents, monitor allows us to spin up agents, monitor allows us to spin up agents, monitor them uh etc with the full governance and them uh etc with the full governance and them uh etc with the full governance and evalu baked in but at the same time it evalu baked in but at the same time it evalu baked in but at the same time it lives on top of your systems of record. lives on top of your systems of record. lives on top of your systems of record. So if you are on a Salesforce or a So if you are on a Salesforce or a So if you are on a Salesforce or a Netswuite or a Dynamics or an SAP, we Netswuite or a Dynamics or an SAP, we Netswuite or a Dynamics or an SAP, we will not ask you to migrate off of that. will not ask you to migrate off of that. will not ask you to migrate off of that. And that is where enterprise needs AI And that is where enterprise needs AI And that is where enterprise needs AI the most uh because they're too large to the most uh because they're too large to the most uh because they're too large to move up. move up. move up. So why build the FD agent in the first So why build the FD agent in the first So why build the FD agent in the first place? As mentioned previously, I think place? As mentioned previously, I think place? As mentioned previously, I think everyone is saying that 2026 and onwards everyone is saying that 2026 and onwards everyone is saying that 2026 and onwards is the year of the forward deployed is the year of the forward deployed is the year of the forward deployed engineer. And to some extent, we believe engineer. And to some extent, we believe engineer. And to some extent, we believe that's completely correct. There has that's completely correct. There has that's completely correct. There has never been more of a need to go deep never been more of a need to go deep never been more of a need to go deep into customers and understand their into customers and understand their into customers and understand their business use cases and help them adopt business use cases and help them adopt business use cases and help them adopt the latest in AI tooling. But at the the latest in AI tooling. But at the the latest in AI tooling. But at the same time, we realize that it's actually same time, we realize that it's actually same time, we realize that it's actually very difficult to find forward deployed very difficult to find forward deployed very difficult to find forward deployed engineers who are both the technical engineers who are both the technical engineers who are both the technical like top 1% who are really able to like top 1% who are really able to like top 1% who are really able to understand and speak AI uh 10,000 times understand and speak AI uh 10,000 times understand and speak AI uh 10,000 times better than the average, you know, better than the average, you know, better than the average, you know, enterprise customer, but also have the enterprise customer, but also have the enterprise customer, but also have the communication and human skills needed to communication and human skills needed to communication and human skills needed to be, you know, as alluded to previously, be, you know, as alluded to previously, be, you know, as alluded to previously, very high IQ, high EQ, extracting the very high IQ, high EQ, extracting the very high IQ, high EQ, extracting the information from the customer and information from the customer and information from the customer and meeting them where they are in real meeting them where they are in real meeting them where they are in real time. You know, typically you'll have time. You know, typically you'll have time. You know, typically you'll have consultants that you then train on the consultants that you then train on the consultants that you then train on the technical side or engineers that you

technical side or engineers that you technical side or engineers that you then kind of train on the softskll side, then kind of train on the softskll side, then kind of train on the softskll side, but it's very hard to find people who but it's very hard to find people who but it's very hard to find people who are, you know, the best of both. Um, so are, you know, the best of both. Um, so are, you know, the best of both. Um, so the FD agent is our effort to bolster the FD agent is our effort to bolster the FD agent is our effort to bolster the existing forward deployed engineers the existing forward deployed engineers the existing forward deployed engineers that we do have. So for example, that we do have. So for example, that we do have. So for example, allowing one forward deployed engineer allowing one forward deployed engineer allowing one forward deployed engineer or forward deployed strategist to manage or forward deployed strategist to manage or forward deployed strategist to manage and maintain several client and maintain several client and maintain several client communications. I know that most of the communications. I know that most of the communications. I know that most of the folks in the room are technical, but folks in the room are technical, but folks in the room are technical, but it's very easy to misunderstand how it's very easy to misunderstand how it's very easy to misunderstand how deeply involved you have to be with the deeply involved you have to be with the deeply involved you have to be with the client. They're emailing you 24/7. client. They're emailing you 24/7. client. They're emailing you 24/7. They're sending you hundreds of pages of They're sending you hundreds of pages of They're sending you hundreds of pages of documentation and every single process documentation and every single process documentation and every single process lead will pull you in a different lead will pull you in a different lead will pull you in a different direction. AP relies on AR, relies on direction. AP relies on AR, relies on direction. AP relies on AR, relies on reconciliation, relies on FPNA, and they reconciliation, relies on FPNA, and they reconciliation, relies on FPNA, and they each have their own version of what they each have their own version of what they each have their own version of what they think is the most important. So being think is the most important. So being think is the most important. So being able to manage that context and being able to manage that context and being able to manage that context and being able to serve them all equally while able to serve them all equally while able to serve them all equally while also not hiring 50 people to do so is also not hiring 50 people to do so is also not hiring 50 people to do so is fundamentally very important and it's fundamentally very important and it's fundamentally very important and it's how we at Veric avoid being you know a how we at Veric avoid being you know a how we at Veric avoid being you know a traditional consultancy while also traditional consultancy while also traditional consultancy while also offering that handheld handholding and offering that handheld handholding and offering that handheld handholding and like very human experience human- like very human experience human- like very human experience human- centered approach of consulting that we centered approach of consulting that we centered approach of consulting that we think we do think is very valuable. Um think we do think is very valuable. Um think we do think is very valuable. Um so in the past in 2024 and around that so in the past in 2024 and around that so in the past in 2024 and around that time execution work was still the time execution work was still the time execution work was still the bottleneck. This was before the models bottleneck. This was before the models bottleneck. This was before the models gain the intelligence and the harnesses gain the intelligence and the harnesses gain the intelligence and the harnesses gain the integration abilities that gain the integration abilities that gain the integration abilities that allowed them to move past the execution allowed them to move past the execution allowed them to move past the execution bottleneck. Um, now the AI models are bottleneck. Um, now the AI models are bottleneck. Um, now the AI models are trained to solve the execution of trained to solve the execution of trained to solve the execution of knowledge work. I will go as so far as knowledge work. I will go as so far as knowledge work. I will go as so far as to say that knowledge work is almost to say that knowledge work is almost to say that knowledge work is almost entirely solved. The difference is and entirely solved. The difference is and entirely solved. The difference is and what we're realizing now is that

what we're realizing now is that what we're realizing now is that designing how work gets completed around designing how work gets completed around designing how work gets completed around AI is the next bottleneck. It's the AI is the next bottleneck. It's the AI is the next bottleneck. It's the ability to go deep within the customer, ability to go deep within the customer, ability to go deep within the customer, redesign their workflows, deciding what redesign their workflows, deciding what redesign their workflows, deciding what should be automated versus shouldn't, should be automated versus shouldn't, should be automated versus shouldn't, and building this in a robust and and building this in a robust and and building this in a robust and scalable way on a platform that moves scalable way on a platform that moves scalable way on a platform that moves the needle for our clients. You know, as the needle for our clients. You know, as the needle for our clients. You know, as opposed to doing a point solution which opposed to doing a point solution which opposed to doing a point solution which promises to transform just one part of promises to transform just one part of promises to transform just one part of your sales process, for example, uh your sales process, for example, uh your sales process, for example, uh maybe it's prospecting. Uh that ROI maybe it's prospecting. Uh that ROI maybe it's prospecting. Uh that ROI might deliver 5 to 10% ROI for you as a might deliver 5 to 10% ROI for you as a might deliver 5 to 10% ROI for you as a sales function. Same thing on finance. sales function. Same thing on finance. sales function. Same thing on finance. If you're just doing AP and no other If you're just doing AP and no other If you're just doing AP and no other part of your department, you might have part of your department, you might have part of your department, you might have a 5 10% ROI. But at Veric, we deliver a 5 10% ROI. But at Veric, we deliver a 5 10% ROI. But at Veric, we deliver departmentwide transformations, departmentwide transformations, departmentwide transformations, holistically transforming the entire holistically transforming the entire holistically transforming the entire department at a time. And that's how we department at a time. And that's how we department at a time. And that's how we get the ROI that we see for our clients, get the ROI that we see for our clients, get the ROI that we see for our clients, which is 25%, 50%, 75%. which is 25%, 50%, 75%. which is 25%, 50%, 75%. Truly giving them back, you know, the Truly giving them back, you know, the Truly giving them back, you know, the three things, which is revenue uplift, three things, which is revenue uplift, three things, which is revenue uplift, cost savings, and risk mitigation, as cost savings, and risk mitigation, as cost savings, and risk mitigation, as was so eloquently stated previously. and was so eloquently stated previously. and was so eloquently stated previously. and an AI FDE is trained to re-engineer an AI FDE is trained to re-engineer an AI FDE is trained to re-engineer these necessary tasks around AI. So I these necessary tasks around AI. So I these necessary tasks around AI. So I want to invite my head of engineering uh want to invite my head of engineering uh want to invite my head of engineering uh JD Puit to come up and and share some JD Puit to come up and and share some JD Puit to come up and and share some more of the deep technical stuff on our more of the deep technical stuff on our more of the deep technical stuff on our FD agent uh because I haven't written a FD agent uh because I haven't written a FD agent uh because I haven't written a line of production code in a while. So line of production code in a while. So line of production code in a while. So here's JD.

here's JD. here's JD. >> Okay, thanks. >> Okay, thanks. >> Okay, thanks. >> And maybe if we can get his mic going. >> Great. Thank you. Um thanks Voss. So, >> Great. Thank you. Um thanks Voss. So, uh, this project to give tools to our uh, this project to give tools to our uh, this project to give tools to our FDE, um, basically started with me. I FDE, um, basically started with me. I FDE, um, basically started with me. I lead the platform team and we're over on lead the platform team and we're over on lead the platform team and we're over on one side of the office. We're hanging one side of the office. We're hanging one side of the office. We're hanging out. We're chilling. We're having a out. We're chilling. We're having a out. We're chilling. We're having a great time. Uh, Codeex, Claude, we're great time. Uh, Codeex, Claude, we're great time. Uh, Codeex, Claude, we're all hanging out. And then I look over at all hanging out. And then I look over at all hanging out. And then I look over at the FD side of the room. They look the FD side of the room. They look the FD side of the room. They look stressed. They are sleepd deprived. stressed. They are sleepd deprived. stressed. They are sleepd deprived. They're extremely miserable. They've got They're extremely miserable. They've got They're extremely miserable. They've got clients emailing them 24/7. I'm like, clients emailing them 24/7. I'm like, clients emailing them 24/7. I'm like, "Oh my god, you guys haven't slept at "Oh my god, you guys haven't slept at "Oh my god, you guys haven't slept at all." So, I go and I start talking to all." So, I go and I start talking to all." So, I go and I start talking to them and I'm like, "Okay, what is your them and I'm like, "Okay, what is your them and I'm like, "Okay, what is your guys process like right now? How are you guys process like right now? How are you guys process like right now? How are you actually engaging with these clients?" actually engaging with these clients?" actually engaging with these clients?" like well we you know upload about 150 like well we you know upload about 150 like well we you know upload about 150 pages of documentation to claude and pages of documentation to claude and pages of documentation to claude and then we prompt claude and then we wait then we prompt claude and then we wait then we prompt claude and then we wait like 2 minutes and then we get analysis like 2 minutes and then we get analysis like 2 minutes and then we get analysis and then it's verbose and incorrect and and then it's verbose and incorrect and and then it's verbose and incorrect and it kind of sucks and I was like all it kind of sucks and I was like all it kind of sucks and I was like all right we got to fix this. So we have right we got to fix this. So we have right we got to fix this. So we have been working on an FD agent which is the been working on an FD agent which is the been working on an FD agent which is the codeex for our FDS basically and there's codeex for our FDS basically and there's codeex for our FDS basically and there's three stages of it um the last of which three stages of it um the last of which three stages of it um the last of which is certainly still in in development.

is certainly still in in development. is certainly still in in development. The first is what we call the The first is what we call the The first is what we call the engagement. The the first function is engagement. The the first function is engagement. The the first function is the is the engagement agent. And the is the engagement agent. And the is the engagement agent. And essentially this is a better version of essentially this is a better version of essentially this is a better version of claude built just for our FDES. It's claude built just for our FDES. It's claude built just for our FDES. It's their assistant. They have it pulls in their assistant. They have it pulls in their assistant. They have it pulls in their granola notes. It synthesizes their granola notes. It synthesizes their granola notes. It synthesizes documentation. It reads PowerPoint documentation. It reads PowerPoint documentation. It reads PowerPoint slides. It allows them to query and say slides. It allows them to query and say slides. It allows them to query and say who's responsible for this process. Uh I who's responsible for this process. Uh I who's responsible for this process. Uh I got an email that mentioned Sarah got an email that mentioned Sarah got an email that mentioned Sarah spelled you know this way. And I have a spelled you know this way. And I have a spelled you know this way. And I have a you know Slack message with different you know Slack message with different you know Slack message with different way. Are these the same people? because way. Are these the same people? because way. Are these the same people? because these are the questions that our FDES these are the questions that our FDES these are the questions that our FDES are asking all day every day and they are asking all day every day and they are asking all day every day and they waste a ton of time just waiting on on waste a ton of time just waiting on on waste a ton of time just waiting on on claw to respond. So the engagement agent claw to respond. So the engagement agent claw to respond. So the engagement agent is their way of it's their it's their is their way of it's their it's their is their way of it's their it's their assistant to build um to build the assistant to build um to build the assistant to build um to build the workflow. Then there's the workflow workflow. Then there's the workflow workflow. Then there's the workflow agent and what we did is we took our agent and what we did is we took our agent and what we did is we took our engagement agent and we embedded it engagement agent and we embedded it engagement agent and we embedded it inside of our platform so that when our inside of our platform so that when our inside of our platform so that when our FTEEs go and they actually build the FTEEs go and they actually build the FTEEs go and they actually build the workflow, the FD agent is right there workflow, the FD agent is right there workflow, the FD agent is right there saying, "Oh, you forgot about this edge saying, "Oh, you forgot about this edge saying, "Oh, you forgot about this edge case. um you should probably ask me uh case. um you should probably ask me uh case. um you should probably ask me uh you know who owns this process so I make you know who owns this process so I make you know who owns this process so I make sure the email goes to the right place sure the email goes to the right place sure the email goes to the right place and it lives it's basically I can talk and it lives it's basically I can talk and it lives it's basically I can talk about more of the details on the next about more of the details on the next about more of the details on the next slide but whoops whoops it lives uh it lives inside of our it lives uh it lives inside of our it lives uh it lives inside of our inside of our platform it works next to inside of our platform it works next to inside of our platform it works next to claude or codeex whatever model you're claude or codeex whatever model you're claude or codeex whatever model you're using um and make sure that the workflow using um and make sure that the workflow using um and make sure that the workflow that the FD is constructing is actually that the FD is constructing is actually that the FD is constructing is actually uh it correctly shadows the process that uh it correctly shadows the process that uh it correctly shadows the process that we want to engineer. And then there's we want to engineer. And then there's we want to engineer. And then there's the final stage which we're not at yet the final stage which we're not at yet the final stage which we're not at yet which is a um an autonomous assistant

which is a um an autonomous assistant which is a um an autonomous assistant for FTEEs where it's receiving emails for FTEEs where it's receiving emails for FTEEs where it's receiving emails from clients who say actually I want to from clients who say actually I want to from clients who say actually I want to change you know where my QC report goes change you know where my QC report goes change you know where my QC report goes to. I want to you know change it to a to. I want to you know change it to a to. I want to you know change it to a different email etc. and our agent is different email etc. and our agent is different email etc. and our agent is able to process that information, query able to process that information, query able to process that information, query the understanding of the company that we the understanding of the company that we the understanding of the company that we currently have, ship an autonomous currently have, ship an autonomous currently have, ship an autonomous change to the workflow on top of our change to the workflow on top of our change to the workflow on top of our platform, and then our FTE never has to platform, and then our FTE never has to platform, and then our FTE never has to get involved, saving their time for the get involved, saving their time for the get involved, saving their time for the much more highv value work of sitting much more highv value work of sitting much more highv value work of sitting down, interviewing with the clients, down, interviewing with the clients, down, interviewing with the clients, really understanding what their process really understanding what their process really understanding what their process is, um, and not dealing with all of the is, um, and not dealing with all of the is, um, and not dealing with all of the small little minutia that anyone who has small little minutia that anyone who has small little minutia that anyone who has been in FTE can tell you, uh, takes up a been in FTE can tell you, uh, takes up a been in FTE can tell you, uh, takes up a lot of their time. So, how do we how do we build this? Um, So, how do we how do we build this? Um, the first thing is we need some single the first thing is we need some single the first thing is we need some single source of truth, some representation of source of truth, some representation of source of truth, some representation of a company's uh functioning. There's a a company's uh functioning. There's a a company's uh functioning. There's a lot of different ways to do this. If you lot of different ways to do this. If you lot of different ways to do this. If you were at the booths downstairs this were at the booths downstairs this were at the booths downstairs this morning, there was, you know, five morning, there was, you know, five morning, there was, you know, five companies trying to sell you a graph DB companies trying to sell you a graph DB companies trying to sell you a graph DB and you can just use Postgress, whatever and you can just use Postgress, whatever and you can just use Postgress, whatever it is. Yes, I'm looking at you. Um, it is. Yes, I'm looking at you. Um, it is. Yes, I'm looking at you. Um, [clears throat] doesn't really matter [clears throat] doesn't really matter [clears throat] doesn't really matter what you use, but the point is we use a what you use, but the point is we use a what you use, but the point is we use a dependency graph. Most of these dependency graph. Most of these dependency graph. Most of these workflows inside of enterprise are workflows inside of enterprise are workflows inside of enterprise are remarkably linear. they just have a lot remarkably linear. they just have a lot remarkably linear. they just have a lot of cycles in them. But at the at the end of cycles in them. But at the at the end of cycles in them. But at the at the end of the day, the process owners want of the day, the process owners want of the day, the process owners want things to be as dependency driven as things to be as dependency driven as things to be as dependency driven as possible. They don't want person C in possible. They don't want person C in possible. They don't want person C in the process to have to deal with the process to have to deal with the process to have to deal with something before A and B have approved something before A and B have approved something before A and B have approved it. So a dependency graph is a very nice it. So a dependency graph is a very nice it. So a dependency graph is a very nice representation of this.

representation of this. representation of this. Um then we do our own model training. Um Um then we do our own model training. Um Um then we do our own model training. Um and there's really two parts to this and there's really two parts to this and there's really two parts to this problem that we're trying to solve. The problem that we're trying to solve. The problem that we're trying to solve. The first is given extracted context for the first is given extracted context for the first is given extracted context for the FTE do we get a good highquality output FTE do we get a good highquality output FTE do we get a good highquality output and the answer is with claude honestly and the answer is with claude honestly and the answer is with claude honestly no which is kind of surprising but the no which is kind of surprising but the no which is kind of surprising but the really and I'm sure you guys have really and I'm sure you guys have really and I'm sure you guys have experienced this when you are trying to experienced this when you are trying to experienced this when you are trying to do a long analysis frontier models are do a long analysis frontier models are do a long analysis frontier models are extremely verbose and they lack the um extremely verbose and they lack the um extremely verbose and they lack the um you know I would say the you know I would say the you know I would say the I only started believing in consultants I only started believing in consultants I only started believing in consultants once we started hiring them at Veric. once we started hiring them at Veric. once we started hiring them at Veric. And the reason is they're so good at And the reason is they're so good at And the reason is they're so good at figuring out what is the part of the figuring out what is the part of the figuring out what is the part of the detail the client actually cares about detail the client actually cares about detail the client actually cares about and what is the part that can get and what is the part that can get and what is the part that can get glossed over. And Frontier models have glossed over. And Frontier models have glossed over. And Frontier models have absolutely no concept of this. So we absolutely no concept of this. So we absolutely no concept of this. So we started post-training our own models on started post-training our own models on started post-training our own models on top of on top of open source models. top of on top of open source models. top of on top of open source models. We're a fan of Kimmy K26, but a lot of We're a fan of Kimmy K26, but a lot of We're a fan of Kimmy K26, but a lot of these would do different a lot of these these would do different a lot of these these would do different a lot of these would do fine to really get that nice would do fine to really get that nice would do fine to really get that nice balance between detailed and uh clarity balance between detailed and uh clarity balance between detailed and uh clarity that the frontier models often often that the frontier models often often that the frontier models often often lack. So that's that's a bit about lack. So that's that's a bit about lack. So that's that's a bit about writing a good normalized process flow writing a good normalized process flow writing a good normalized process flow from extracted context. But there's the from extracted context. But there's the from extracted context. But there's the second half of the challenge which is second half of the challenge which is second half of the challenge which is getting good at traversing at extracting getting good at traversing at extracting getting good at traversing at extracting the right context. So we might have this the right context. So we might have this the right context. So we might have this huge knowledge graph but it's remarkably huge knowledge graph but it's remarkably huge knowledge graph but it's remarkably difficult to traverse this knowledge difficult to traverse this knowledge difficult to traverse this knowledge graph in a reliable way that finds us graph in a reliable way that finds us graph in a reliable way that finds us the right context. So once we have our the right context. So once we have our the right context. So once we have our post-trained model, we create an RL

post-trained model, we create an RL post-trained model, we create an RL environment where we have exposed our environment where we have exposed our environment where we have exposed our own custom tools specifically designed own custom tools specifically designed own custom tools specifically designed to traverse our knowledge graph. These to traverse our knowledge graph. These to traverse our knowledge graph. These tools are things like make sure person A tools are things like make sure person A tools are things like make sure person A and person B are actually the same and person B are actually the same and person B are actually the same person because a lot of you know there's person because a lot of you know there's person because a lot of you know there's a lot of mics in every company we work a lot of mics in every company we work a lot of mics in every company we work with and Claude gets very confused by with and Claude gets very confused by with and Claude gets very confused by this. Um, a second thing might be this. Um, a second thing might be this. Um, a second thing might be something like um something like um something like um uh identifying identifying redundancy uh identifying identifying redundancy uh identifying identifying redundancy cycles or uh like violations of your DAG cycles or uh like violations of your DAG cycles or uh like violations of your DAG inside of your knowledge graph. And so inside of your knowledge graph. And so inside of your knowledge graph. And so in our RL environment, we train really in our RL environment, we train really in our RL environment, we train really good tools to do a good job of good tools to do a good job of good tools to do a good job of traversing this graph to extract the traversing this graph to extract the traversing this graph to extract the right context. So that's how we solve right context. So that's how we solve right context. So that's how we solve the two problems, writing good analysis the two problems, writing good analysis the two problems, writing good analysis from the context and extracting the from the context and extracting the from the context and extracting the correct context in the first place. And correct context in the first place. And correct context in the first place. And then the third part which we are um then the third part which we are um then the third part which we are um still building towards is an agent that still building towards is an agent that still building towards is an agent that operates autonomously um to do the kind operates autonomously um to do the kind operates autonomously um to do the kind of uh workflow management on the small of uh workflow management on the small of uh workflow management on the small things that the FD doesn't have to waste things that the FD doesn't have to waste things that the FD doesn't have to waste their time on. I think that's all I've their time on. I think that's all I've their time on. I think that's all I've got. I'll hand it back over to Voss. got. I'll hand it back over to Voss. got. I'll hand it back over to Voss. Thanks JD.

Thanks JD. Thanks JD. So where does that leave us? And I want So where does that leave us? And I want So where does that leave us? And I want to share a little bit more about Veric. to share a little bit more about Veric. to share a little bit more about Veric. Uh because obviously we're not the Uh because obviously we're not the Uh because obviously we're not the cursor anthropic or opening eye of the cursor anthropic or opening eye of the cursor anthropic or opening eye of the world. Um, when we started this company, world. Um, when we started this company, world. Um, when we started this company, we fundamentally believed that the way we fundamentally believed that the way we fundamentally believed that the way the puck was moving, you had to get the puck was moving, you had to get the puck was moving, you had to get ahead of it and you had to start ahead of it and you had to start ahead of it and you had to start learning how a business runs and learning how a business runs and learning how a business runs and building with that in mind. I think a building with that in mind. I think a building with that in mind. I think a lot of Silicon Valley starts to go lot of Silicon Valley starts to go lot of Silicon Valley starts to go product product, but what we're building product product, but what we're building product product, but what we're building for cannot be solved for with just a for cannot be solved for with just a for cannot be solved for with just a product. We start off every single product. We start off every single product. We start off every single engagement with an audit where we engagement with an audit where we engagement with an audit where we actually send our forward to put actually send our forward to put actually send our forward to put engineers, strategists into a company to engineers, strategists into a company to engineers, strategists into a company to learn how it works from the inside out. learn how it works from the inside out. learn how it works from the inside out. That is what I believe is the biggest That is what I believe is the biggest That is what I believe is the biggest bottleneck. And after that we go into bottleneck. And after that we go into bottleneck. And after that we go into implementation. We build agents on top implementation. We build agents on top implementation. We build agents on top of our platform. And yes, you do still of our platform. And yes, you do still of our platform. And yes, you do still need all the bells and whistles and the need all the bells and whistles and the need all the bells and whistles and the fancy technology that allows us to, you fancy technology that allows us to, you fancy technology that allows us to, you know, really automate work uh in the know, really automate work uh in the know, really automate work uh in the future. But again, the bottleneck is the future. But again, the bottleneck is the future. But again, the bottleneck is the forward deployed motion, which is why we forward deployed motion, which is why we forward deployed motion, which is why we are so bullish here at Veric on our AI are so bullish here at Veric on our AI are so bullish here at Veric on our AI FDE. Um, and if you're interested in FDE. Um, and if you're interested in FDE. Um, and if you're interested in learning more about it or if you're learning more about it or if you're learning more about it or if you're interested in joining, uh, one of the interested in joining, uh, one of the interested in joining, uh, one of the fastest growing startups in Silicon fastest growing startups in Silicon fastest growing startups in Silicon Valley, working with some of the largest Valley, working with some of the largest Valley, working with some of the largest clients on the planet, uh, come find us clients on the planet, uh, come find us clients on the planet, uh, come find us after and we'll have a chat because we after and we'll have a chat because we after and we'll have a chat because we are aggressively hiring. Um, and if you are aggressively hiring. Um, and if you are aggressively hiring. Um, and if you are a company looking to understand how are a company looking to understand how are a company looking to understand how AI can really move the needle for you AI can really move the needle for you AI can really move the needle for you internally instead of just slapping a internally instead of just slapping a internally instead of just slapping a frontier model on top of everything and frontier model on top of everything and frontier model on top of everything and watching it break in production, come watching it break in production, come watching it break in production, come find me after as well. Thank you all so find me after as well. Thank you all so find me after as well. Thank you all so much for the time. I really appreciate much for the time. I really appreciate much for the time. I really appreciate it and uh, cheers.

it and uh, cheers. it and uh, cheers. [applause]