Arctic Air Transforms Customer Service with AI Employee “Arty”

The Challenge: Sky-High Answering Service Costs

Arctic Air had been spending thousands of dollars each month on a traditional call center that wasn’t always reliable. Missed calls and miscommunications were common, and the cost ballooned during peak seasons. For a growing family business aiming to expand, it was unsustainable.

“We couldn’t keep pouring money into a service that missed calls and misquoted customers,” recalls Katherine, Operations Manager at Arctic Air. “It was costing us financially and damaging our rapport with customers.”

The Decision to Try AI

Eager for a more flexible, round-the-clock solution, Arctic Air opted to replace the conventional call center with Podium’s AI Voice Employee, which they nicknamed “Arty.” Unlike chatbots that only handle typed queries, Arty picks up live phone calls, answers customer questions, and even schedules service—just like a human CSR would.

“It only took a short while to train Arty with our processes, and then we had a ‘new hire’ who never clocks out,” Katherine explains. “This was a huge relief for a lean operation like ours.”

Replacing the Answering Service: Immediate Savings, Greater Reliability

By handing off inbound calls to Arty, Arctic Air immediately cut the expense of a traditional phone center. No more monthly bills in the thousands. No more missed calls or half-answered inquiries. Best of all, the AI’s knowledge is always up to date:

• Never Misses a Call: Customers receive an immediate greeting—even after hours.
• Accurate Answers: Arty references Arctic Air’s FAQ and service details to provide consistent, on-brand responses.
• Human-Like Interactions: Polite, friendly wording helps customers feel comfortable, not rushed.

“We trust Arty more than we did our old service. He never misquotes a price or says we can’t fix something we actually do,” Katherine notes.

Trusted Like a Team Member—and Driving Growth

With costs down and reliability up, Arctic Air saw tangible benefits almost immediately:

1. 30% Increase in Revenue: By capturing every single call, they retained more customers who might otherwise have gone elsewhere.
2. Improved Customer Satisfaction: Calls are answered promptly, reducing frustration and conveying professionalism.
3. No Additional Headcount: Instead of paying for more office staff, they rely on Arty’s “always-on” availability.
4. Enhanced Reputation: Faster service and accurate responses contributed to a 40% increase in Google reviews over nine months.

“We think of Arty as part of the team,” Katherine says. “He’s always there, giving customers immediate attention. That personal touch keeps people coming back.”

Conclusion: More Than Just a Call Handler

Arctic Air’s AI Employee has become their frontline ambassador, tackling everything from scheduling to troubleshooting and saving them thousands every month in phone center fees. Beyond cost reduction, it’s fueled growth by turning missed calls into booked appointments—lifting revenue and nurturing a loyal customer base.

“We were skeptical at first,” Katherine admits. “But now that we’ve replaced our answering service and watched revenue rise by 30%, we can’t imagine going back. Arty has truly changed the way we do business.”