Data and Systems Integration (with elements of Artificial Intelligence)

About The Business: Acrastyle Ltd is a long-established engineering and manufacturing business specialising in high-voltage substation protection and control equipment. As the business continues to grow, there is a need to improve how data flows between core systems, including ERP, Salesforce, email, and engineering design tools.

Overview: Currently, several key processes rely on manual data handling, including supplier invoice processing, project setup, and engineering data management. This leads to time delays, increased risk of errors, and limited visibility across departments. This internship will support Acrastyle’s digital transformation by developing practical automation solutions, including the use of emerging AI tools for data extraction, validation and workflow optimisation, while improving integration between systems.

Desirable Skills: • Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills • Interest in automation, digital technologies and AI • Basic understanding of databases and data structures • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel • Good communication skills to support knowledge sharing and training

Job Description:

Project Goals and Objectives

• Design and prototype an automated supplier invoice data capture process using AI-based extraction where appropriate, reducing manual data entry by a minimum of 30% within a defined pilot workflow.
• Develop an automated workflow that converts Salesforce enquiries into standardised project folder structures, reducing project setup time and improving consistency across all new projects.
• Analyse existing Bills of Materials (BOM) data to identify common discrepancies and apply data validation or AI-assisted pattern recognition techniques to improve accuracy.
• Prototype a solution to integrate ERP data with AutoCAD to automatically populate drawing title blocks, reducing manual input and improving consistency.
• Produce clear documentation and deliver at least one internal knowledge-sharing session to support team upskilling and adoption of new tools.

Scope of Work, Methods, and Tools

The intern will deliver the project across four key workstreams: invoice automation, project folder automation, BOM validation, and AutoCAD integration.

• Review current processes and identify data requirements for automation opportunities
• Design and build prototype workflows using tools such as Power Automate and AI-assisted data capture methods
• Map enquiry-to-project workflows and implement automated folder creation from Salesforce triggers
• Analyse historical BOM datasets to identify inconsistencies and explore the use of AI tools to support validation
• Test integration between ERP data and AutoCAD to enable automated population of drawing fields
• Develop simple user guides and support materials to enable wider team adoption

Tools are likely to include: Microsoft 365 (Excel, SharePoint), Power Automate, ERP exports, Salesforce connectors, and AutoCAD templates, alongside appropriate AI-enabled data processing tools.

Timeline with Milestones

Weeks 1–2: Induction, stakeholder engagement, and process mapping

Weeks 3–4: Define requirements and design workflows, including AI opportunities

Weeks 5–7: Develop and prototype solutions

Weeks 8–9: Test, refine, validate and begin user knowledge transfer

Week 10: Final handover, documentation, and staff briefing session

Intern Roles and Responsibilities

• Engage with key stakeholders to understand current processes
• Design and develop automation and AI-enabled solutions
• Build and test prototype workflows
• Analyse data and identify opportunities for improvement
• Create user documentation and support internal upskilling activities

Intern Skills Required

• Strong data analysis and problem-solving skills
• Interest in automation, digital technologies and AI
• Basic understanding of databases and data structures
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel
• Good communication skills to support knowledge sharing and training

Expected Outcomes and Success Metrics

• A working prototype for automated invoice data capture, potentially including AI-based extraction
• Automated project folder creation linked to Salesforce enquiries
• Improved BOM validation approach supported by data analysis or AI techniques
• Proof-of-concept integration between ERP and AutoCAD systems
• Increased staff confidence in using automation and digital tools through knowledge transfer activities

Success will be measured through reduction in manual data entry, improved consistency in project setup, increased data accuracy, and evidence of user adoption and skills development within the team.