At Bailiwick, we simplify the complex. We partner with large businesses such as retailers, logistics, hospitality and quick-service restaurants (QSRs) to deploy scalable IT solutions that improve efficiency, reduce costs, and elevate the customer experience. One of the most powerful tools in our toolkit today? Artificial Intelligence (AI). AI is no longer just a buzzword. It’s real, it’s practical, and it’s ready to be applied—if you know how to start.

At its core, an AI model is a computer program or algorithm trained to perform tasks that typically require human intelligence. These tasks can include recognizing patterns, making decisions, understanding natural language, detecting anomalies, and more. AI models learn from data—and the more high-quality data they have, the more accurate and effective they become. But here’s the truth: AI isn’t just software. It’s a full-stack challenge.

To deploy high-performing AI solutions at scale, you need the right models and the right infrastructure. That’s why Bailiwick partners with industry leaders to provide the GPU processing power and reliable data backbone needed to ensure AI works not only in theory, but in practice. As a wholly owned subsidiary of ePlus, Bailiwick is in position to utilize the impressive ePlus AI brain trust to bring AI powered solutions to our clients.

Start Small, Learn Fast, Scale Smart

There’s a reason we don’t recommend going “all in” from day one. “The most important question any business should ask before implementing AI is, what are we trying to achieve?” says Joe Hinrichs, VP of IT and Product Development at Bailiwick. “Too often, companies pursue AI initiatives without a defined outcome, which leads to high spend with low return.”

Instead, we help clients start with a proof of concept—a focused test in a controlled environment. Once the concept proves viable, we move to a pilot, exposing the solution to real-world variables: shifting weather conditions, unpredictable customer behaviors, and edge cases you simply can’t simulate in a lab. We observe, learn, and iterate.

“AI implementation doesn’t have to be a massive, one-time overhaul,” says Hinrichs. “In fact, it shouldn’t be. At Bailiwick, we recommend an agile, iterative approach—rolling out solutions in small, testable sprints.”

This “go slow to go fast” philosophy de-risks implementation and builds confidence. It also creates a clear roadmap to scale when it’s time to deploy across hundreds—or thousands—of locations.

Build, Customize, or Fine-Tune?

Developing AI models from scratch can be long, complex, and expensive. It requires massive volumes of training data to achieve high accuracy—and even then, the process is never “one and done.”

“You don’t always need to reinvent the wheel,” says Hinrichs. “Many AI use cases—like license plate recognition or horizontal text detection—can begin with pre-trained models. From there, it’s possible to fine-tune the solution to suit specific business needs. Starting with an existing model saves time, budget, and complexity.”

At Bailiwick, we help our clients assess the best path forward: 

• Use a pre-trained model when the task is common and well-understood. 
• Customize an off-the-shelf model when small tweaks are needed to match your data. 
• Train a model from scratch when the business challenge is truly unique.

Each route is valid—but the key is starting with a clear, measurable objective and choosing the approach that supports it.

Real Applications, Real Impact

So where does AI deliver real value to business?

Here are a few examples: 

• Demand forecasting: Predict customer flow and align staffing accordingly. 
• Drive-thru optimization: Use vision and audio analytics to reduce wait times. 
• Loss prevention: Detect suspicious behavior or inventory anomalies in real time. 
• Maintenance prediction: Anticipate when equipment will fail before it does. 
• Customer sentiment analysis: Understand feedback at scale and act quickly. 

When deployed correctly, AI doesn’t just automate—it illuminates. It reveals patterns, optimizes processes, and helps teams make smarter, faster decisions.

Unlocking AI with Bailiwick

At Bailiwick, we don’t just drop off a toolkit and wish you luck. Our team of engineers, project managers, solution architects, and field technicians walks with you from concept to scale. We manage the technical heavy lifting so you can focus on business outcomes.

Want to explore what AI can do for your organization? Let’s talk about what you’re trying to achieve—and how we can get there together.