— why Merbau Labs
The difference between advice that fits and advice that doesn't
Most AI consulting starts with a tool recommendation. We start with a visit. That difference shapes everything that follows.
Back to HomeSix things that shape how we work
Survey first
We visit before we recommend. No tools until we understand what is actually running.
Fits what you have
We connect to your existing invoicing system, your job forms, your workflow — not a new platform.
Flags, not guesses
Unclear entries come back to the technician for confirmation. We do not fill in details we are not certain of.
Written, not verbal
Survey notes, monthly reports, and documentation are always written down. You have a record.
No lock-in
No minimum term. Your documentation goes with you if you stop, in a form your next person can use.
Costs tracked monthly
AI running costs are reviewed against actual use each month. No surprise statements.
What each of those actually means in practice
Expertise in the trades context
We have done site surveys for air conditioning contractors, plumbing outfits, and general maintenance firms in Penang and Kedah. That means we recognise patterns that generic AI consultants do not: the technician who writes half the job in Malay and half in English, the job type that always gets the wrong parts listed, the invoicing system that cannot handle split billing.
The job sheet summary service was built for this context, not adapted from something designed for a different industry.
What this looks like for you
- Survey conducted by someone who has seen your type of operation before
- Job sheet logic fitted to your specific job types and invoice format
- Flagging criteria developed from a month of actual output
Tools we connect to
- Paper job cards (scanned or photographed)
- Phone notes and voice-to-text entries
- Spreadsheet-based job tracking
- Common Malaysian invoicing software
Technology fitted to your setup
We do not ask you to move to a new platform before we can help. The site survey specifically looks at what software and file systems you are currently using, and the integration work builds on top of that rather than replacing it.
If a prerequisite needs fixing — a shared file that only one machine can open, an internet connection that drops during busy periods — the survey note lists it clearly, in order of cost, so you can decide whether to address it before continuing.
A service that stays engaged
The care retainer was added because one-time setups break. When your invoicing software updates, the connection we built may need adjusting. When your technicians add a new job type, the flagging criteria may need updating. The retainer covers that without needing a new engagement each time.
Each month you receive a short written note. It covers what was checked, what was corrected, and what the tools cost against actual use. You do not need to log in anywhere to read it.
What the monthly note covers
- Connections checked after software updates
- Sample of summaries reviewed for accuracy
- Corrections applied from your team's log
- Running costs tracked against volume processed
Price structure
Clear pricing, no lock-in
The site survey is a standalone service. It costs RM 127 and gives you a written note on what would need to change before AI tools would be worth adding. Many clients find that useful on its own. There is no obligation to continue.
The care retainer has no minimum term. If you stop, the documentation and configuration files come with you. We do not keep them behind a login.
What changes after the work is done
Job notes become summaries
Technicians write their notes as they always have. The summary arrives ready for invoicing, with unclear items already flagged.
Fewer invoice corrections
Because unclear entries are flagged before invoicing rather than discovered after, the number of corrections needed downstream tends to drop.
Known running costs
AI tool costs are tracked against what is actually processed each month, so you are not managing a credit card statement you do not understand.
How this differs from the typical approach
| What we are comparing | Typical AI Consulting | Merbau Labs |
|---|---|---|
| Starting point | Tool recommendation | On-site survey first |
| Platform requirement | Often requires new software | Works with what you have |
| Unclear data handling | System fills in the gap | Flagged for human confirmation |
| Reporting format | Dashboard login required | Short written note, no login |
| Running cost visibility | Credit card statement | Tracked and reported monthly |
| Contract / minimum term | Often 6–12 months | None |
| Data portability on exit | Varies / platform-dependent | Full documentation handed over |
Features not commonly found elsewhere
The readiness note you keep regardless
The survey produces a written document listing what needs fixing first, in order of cost. You keep that note whether or not you continue with us. It is yours.
A month of checked output included in scope
The job sheet summary service includes a month of reviewed output. That builds a real record of what your technicians' notes typically contain, making the process more accurate over time.
The tolerance note approach
We state what we can and cannot do accurately rather than presenting an idealised picture. You know what to expect before you start, not after.
Join detail panel — exactly what connects to what
For each service, we specify precisely what it connects to in your existing systems. You are not left guessing what 'integration' means in practice.
Where we stand
2+
Years in operation
38
Site surveys completed
12
Active retainer clients
4,200+
Job sheets processed
Start with the survey
RM 127 for a site visit and a written readiness note. No obligation to continue. The note is yours either way.
Book a Site Survey